To understand better the adaptation response of the cardiovascular system (CVS)
to self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA) diving, Galectin-3
(Gal-3) and specific CVS biomarkers were measured in plasma of 16 male
recreational divers before and after (30 min, 3 and 6 h) diving
(total time of 30 min at 30 m depth) undertaken a after long
non-dive period. The one-time SCUBA dive caused a significant increase in Gal-3,
N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), high-sensitivity
troponin-I (hs-TnI), and myoglobin immediately after diving. Whereas Gal-3 and
myoglobin dropped down to the basal levels during the recovery period, NT-proBNP
and hs-TnI concentration continued to increase. An immediate increase of
vascular endothelial growth factor, detected immediately after diving, was
followed by a significant decrease and return to the basal level, 3 and 6 h
after diving, respectively. After a significant initial decrease, endothelin-1
increased during the recovery period, but did not return to the basal level. The
observed changes in these biomarkers reflect comprehensive, but transient
adaptation of CVS and muscular system to the specific environmental conditions
during the SCUBA dive. Whether the recurrent activation of these adaption
mechanisms due to repetitive dives has positive or negative effects on CVS
remains to be elucidated.