On Wed, 24 Mar 2004 23:15:19 -0600, Crusty Russ <[log in to unmask]>
wrote:

>I came across this in one of my news readers, however, I have not yet
found the source.

The theory is certainly very plausible -- to stimulate bodily
production of nitric oxide into the blood to do the equivalent
work of breathing nitrox, I suppose.  But the caveat about
side-effect and nitric-oxide-tox (?) seem real, even if the
pill works on rats.  :-)
>
>It's interesting and exciting if it proves to be both true and made
practical.

Present company aside, I think the study would excite many diving
rats.  I seem to have known a few of those.  :-))

-- Bob.
>
>        TRONDHEIM, Norway, March 24 (UPI) -- Norwegian scientists
>say they believe they can develop a pill that could prevent divers
>from getting the painful condition known as the bends.
>        The Norwegian University of Science and Technology
>researchers said the pill, combined with exercise before diving,
>would release nitric oxide into the blood. That would allow longer
>or deeper dives, New Scientist magazine reported.
>        Other underwater experts, however, warned side-effects of
>any drug would have to be carefully examined, the magazine said.
>        The scientists have tested their theory on rats, subjecting
>them to intense exercise for about 20 hours, combined with giving
>the animals nitric oxide-releasing agents before a simulated dive in
>a pressure chamber. The combination significantly reduced nitrogen
>bubble formation, they said.
>        The theory is exercise helps to eliminate microbubbles that
>can lead to the formation of the larger, damaging bubbles in one's
>blood.
>