The Effect of Hyperbaric Exposure of 20 Atmospheres-Absolute (He-O 2 ) on Sphingoglycolipids of Rat Tissues 1

Summary

The effect of hyperbaric exposure of helium-oxygen at 20 atmospheres-absolute (ATA) on sphingoglycolipids of rat liver, kidney, lung and spleen was studied. No changes were found in the total lipids of the tissues of rats held in ambient air, helium-oxygen mixtures at 1 ATA and 20 ATA. The amounts of three glycolipids in the spleen and the monoglycosyl ceramide in the lung were decreased in stressed animals. There were changes in the fatty acid profiles of glycolipids between groups of animals held in ambient air and He-O₂ at 1 ATA. Greater changes were observed in the amount of glycolipids from liver and kidney of animals held at 1 ATA in air and helium-oxygen than in animals held in helium-oxygen at 1 ATA and 20 ATA, providing additional evidence that helium can affect cellular metabolism at ambient pressure. Chain elongation of fatty acids was observed in glycolipids of liver, kidney and spleen of rats exposed to helium-oxygen at 20 ATA compared to animals held in helium-oxygen at 1 ATA.