Abstract:

Since Changes of cardiac function, el ectroencephalogram findings, immune responses as well as the personality of the Antarctic expedition members had been reported by our group, the underlying contribution of behavior and physiological changeS would be further studied in this time. Samples were taken,under standardized procedures, on the same individual at different time such as (A) before leaving to Antarctica(B) 2 weeks after arrival at Great Wall Saution(C) 12. 5 months after arrival(D) after returning back to Beijing for a break(summer-over memos) (E)after returning back to Dening for a long break(winter-over member).Results showed that a Prominent increase of urinary Noradrenaline(NE) in Antarctica(B) decreased at(C),and retUrned to the normal range in comparison with(A) and(D). The increase Of urinary Adrenaline was even greater than that of NE at Antarctica(B). It indicated that an rather early response in activation of sylnpothetic system,especially the adrenal glands,gradually lowered down as time went on.Plasma and urinary cortisol also inereased significantly at Antarctica(B), but sustained for a long time even after returning back to Beijing. Both parameters are closely related to stress syndrome.Plasma Tryptophan decreased significantly at Antarctica (B). Some even sustained after retUrning to Beijing(E). Whether or not,such changes might correlated to the change of 5-HT metabolism in brain,in turn to show some effeCt on psychoological or mental disturbanceS,which should be carefully evaluated.Serum MDA, the perokidation product, increaSing together with the findings of decreased RBC SOD activity, the scanvengrr for O₂^-, and increased plasma glucuronidase, the lysozyme release from damage of lysosome membrane, strongly indicated the presence of cellular damage by increasing O₂^- production and membrase perokidation and with damage Of lysosome unduly. Severe cold and extensive ultraviolet expeure should be considered carefully.The sitwficances of the above findings were discuss and the possible preventive or therapeutic measures have ben suggested. Since the destruction of the ozonelayer might increase the extent of ultraviolet radiation,it is worth to further investigate the biological damage effect of ultraviolet in Antarctica.

Key words: humoral factors, Antarctica, expedition member