The functional and biochemical changes of platelets in experimental decompression sickness of rabbits.

The functional and biochemical changes of rabbit platelets were studied after an exposure to 6 ATA (atmosphere absolute) for 40 min (bottom time). Platelet counts significantly decreased after the decompression. Platelet aggregation induced by collagen was not changed. Although there was no change in the mode volume of platelets after the decompression, the transient appearance of circulating smaller or fragmented platelets suggested a random over-destruction of platelets. Whole and releasable adenine nucleotide contents of platelets were decreased significantly after the decompression. There were no significant changes in cytoplasmic adenine nucleotide contents. Therefore, in decompression sickness, the circulating platelets behaved similarly to those in acquired storage pool disease. Platelet thrombi were found in the pulmonary arteries. These findings suggest that circulating air-bubbles interact with platelets, causing the platelet release reaction, and these activated platelets participate in the formation of thrombi in experimental decompression sickness.