[Action of oxygen under increased pressure on the neutrophil metabolism in the peripheral blood].

The effect of hyperbaric oxygen (1--5 ata for 1 hr) on the activity of cytochrome oxidase, peroxidase, lipid content and phagocytic activity of neutrophils was studied. The dynamics of the recovery of those parameters was followed. A multimodal relationship between the pressure level and changes in the enzyme activity and lipid content was noted. The decrease in the activity of peroxidase was more pronounced than that of cytochrome oxidase in all cases. The dynamics of the recovery of the above parameters was shown to depend on the pressure level. The cytochemical parameters returned to the normal within 24 hours. The decline in the activity of cytochrome oxidase, peroxidase and in the lipid content of peripheral neutrophils was followed by a decrease in the phagocytic activity. These changes were closely correlated.