Macrophage polarization is related to the pathogenesis of decompression induced lung injury.

Studies have shown that blood bubbles may be detectable and there is ultrasonic evidence of acute interstitial lung edema even after diving without protocol violation. Macrophages play a central role in the inflammation, and macrophage polarization is closely related to the pathogenesis some lung diseases. Available findings indicate that decompression may induce the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and adhesion molecules in the blood and tissues, which are associated with the macrophage polarization, and hyperbaric treatment may exert therapeutic effects on decompression related diseases via regulating these factors. Thus, we hypothesize that the polarization of circulating and/or resident macrophages is involved in the pathogenesis of decompression induced lung injury.