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At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2005

The nutritional status of astronauts is altered after long-term space flight aboard the International Space Station.

Defining optimal nutrient requirements is critical for ensuring crew health during long-duration space exploration missions. Data pertaining to such nutrient requirements are extremely limited. The primary goal of this study was to better understand nutritional changes that occur during long-duration space flight. We examined body composition, bone metabolism, hematology, general blood chemistry, and blood levels of selected vitamins and minerals in 11 astronauts before and after long-duration (128-195 d) space flight aboard the International Space Station. Dietary intake and limited biochemical measures were assessed during flight. Crew members consumed a mean of 80% of their recommended energy intake, and on landing day their body weight was less (P = 0.051) than before flight. Hematocrit, serum iron, ferritin saturation, and transferrin were decreased and serum ferritin was increased after flight (P < 0.05). The finding that other acute-phase proteins were unchanged after flight suggests that the changes in iron metabolism are not likely to be solely a result of an inflammatory response. Urinary 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine concentration was greater and RBC superoxide dismutase was less after flight (P < 0.05), indicating increased oxidative damage. Despite vitamin D supplement use during flight, serum 25-hydroxycholecalciferol was decreased after flight (P < 0.01). Bone resorption was increased after flight, as indicated by several markers. Bone formation, assessed by several markers, did not consistently rise 1 d after landing. These data provide evidence that bone loss, compromised vitamin D status, and oxidative damage are among critical nutritional concerns for long-duration space travelers.

8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Prevention of staphylococcal infections in manned space flight].

In space flight the role of carriers of pathogenic staphylococci as potential sources of infection increases. This fact together with the observation that many crewmembers prove to be such carriers make it necessary to expose them to prophylactic procedures.

Carrier State↗
PubMed2004

Bone markers, calcium metabolism, and calcium kinetics during extended-duration space flight on the mir space station.

UNLABELLED: Bone loss is a current limitation for long-term space exploration. Bone markers, calcitropic hormones, and calcium kinetics of crew members on space missions of 4-6 months were evaluated. Spaceflight-induced bone loss was associated with increased bone resorption and decreased calcium absorption. INTRODUCTION: Bone loss is a significant concern for the health of astronauts on long-duration missions. Defining the time course and mechanism of these changes will aid in developing means to counteract these losses during space flight and will have relevance for other clinical situations that impair weight-bearing activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We report here results from two studies conducted during the Shuttle-Mir Science Program. Study 1 was an evaluation of bone and calcium biochemical markers of 13 subjects before and after long-duration (4-6 months) space missions. In study 2, stable calcium isotopes were used to evaluate calcium metabolism in six subjects before, during, and after flight. Relationships between measures of bone turnover, biochemical markers, and calcium kinetics were examined. RESULTS: Pre- and postflight study results confirmed that, after landing, bone resorption was increased, as indicated by increases in urinary calcium (p < 0.05) and collagen cross-links (N-telopeptide, pyridinoline, and deoxypyridinoline were all increased >55% above preflight levels, p < 0.001). Parathyroid hormone and vitamin D metabolites were unchanged at landing. Biochemical markers of bone formation were unchanged at landing, but 2-3 weeks later, both bone-specific alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin were significantly (p < 0.01) increased above preflight levels. In studies conducted during flight, bone resorption markers were also significantly higher than before flight. The calcium kinetic data also validated that bone resorption was increased during flight compared with preflight values (668 +/- 130 versus 427 +/- 153 mg/day; p < 0.001) and clearly documented that true intestinal calcium absorption was significantly lower during flight compared with preflight values (233 +/- 87 versus 460 +/- 47 mg/day; p < 0.01). Weightlessness had a detrimental effect on the balance in bone turnover such that the daily difference in calcium retention during flight compared with preflight values approached 300 mg/day (-234 +/- 102 versus 63 +/- 75 mg/day; p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: These bone marker and calcium kinetic studies indicated that the bone loss that occurs during space flight is a consequence of increased bone resorption and decreased intestinal calcium absorption.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Medical provisions for the immediate post-flight period following long space flights].

At the final stage of long-term space flights first aid should be rendered in a specific way in cases of critical situations. Resuscitation and anesthesiology measures should be applied, if necessary, after study of flight-induced changes in the vital organs and systems. The paper describes the most important factors that should determine the tactics of resuscitation-anesthesiology support of the immediate postflight stage, if theoretically feasible acute life-endangering states develop. It also presents substantiated correction of routine clinical protocols of resuscitation aid.

Anesthesia↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Body fluid and electrolyte content in rat tissues after space flight in the "Space-2044" spacecraft].

Contents of water, sodium, calcium and magnesium in different tissues of the rats stayed in space for 2 weeks in healing period of bone fracture following graded trauma of calf-bones as well as in the rats exposed to a head-down suspension (HDS) have been studied. In microgravity-exposed animals there were no significant changes in fluid-electrolyte composition of the liver, kidney, myocardium, skin, bone (calf bone). Specific "functional load" on the system of fluid-electrolyte homeostasis in the form of operation and subsequent healing of bone fracture did not result in additional changes in fluid and electrolyte contents of body tissues. In the HDS animals there was a significant change in fluid-electrolyte composition of skin, kidney and bone tissue.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Effect of space flight on cytokine production.

Space flight has been shown to alter many immunological responses. Among those affected are the production of cytokines. Cytokines are the messengers of the immune system that facilitate communication among cells that allow the interaction among cells leading to the development of immune responses. Included among the cytokines are the interferons, interleukins, and colony stimulating factors. Cytokines also facilitate communication between the immune system and other body systems, such as the neuroendocrine and musculoskeletal systems. Some cytokines also have direct protective effects on the host, such as interferon, which can inhibit the replication of viruses. Studies in both humans and animals indicate that models of space flight as well as actual space flight alter the production and action of cytokines. Included among these changes are altered interferon production, altered responsiveness of bone marrow cells to granulocyte/monocyte-colony stimulating factor, but no alteration in the production of interleukin-3. This suggests that there are selective effects of space flight on immune responses, i.e. not all cytokines are affected in the same fashion by space flight. Tissue culture studies also suggest that there may be direct effects of space flight on the cells responsible for cytokine production and action. The results of the above study indicate that the effects of space flight on cytokines may be a fundamental mechanism by which space flight not only affects immune responses, but also other biological systems of the human.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Alterations in protein metabolism during space flight and inactivity.

Space flight and the accompanying diminished muscular activity lead to a loss of body nitrogen and muscle function. These losses may affect crew capabilities and health in long-duration missions. Space flight alters protein metabolism such that the body is unable to maintain protein synthetic rates. A concomitant hypocaloric intake and altered anabolic/catabolic hormonal profiles may contribute to or exacerbate this problem. The inactivity associated with bedrest also reduces muscle and whole-body protein synthesis. For this reason, bedrest provides a good model for the investigation of potential exercise and nutritional countermeasures to restore muscle protein synthesis. We have demonstrated that minimal resistance exercise preserves muscle protein synthesis throughout bedrest. In addition, ongoing work indicates that an essential amino acid and carbohydrate supplement may ameliorate the loss of lean body mass and muscle strength associated with 28 d of bedrest. The investigation of inactivity-induced alterations in protein metabolism, during space flight or prolonged bedrest, is applicable to clinical populations and, in a more general sense, to the problems associated with the decreased activity that occur with aging.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1983

[Frequency of chromosome recombination, nondisjunction and breaks in Drosophila melanogaster males exposed during space flight].

Effects of space flight factors on chromosomal nondisjunctions, breaks and mitotic recombination in Drosophila melanogaster males were studied. It was shown that space flight conditions increased the frequencies of nondisjunctions, breaks and mitotic recombination in chromosomes. It was established that the vibration and acceleration effects could not serve to explain the data obtained. On the basis of these data, it may be suggested that weightlessness and cosmic radiation are the main factors which are responsible for the effects observed.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Age and space flight.

Criteria for space flight crew and passenger selection should be based on the following three considerations: (1) freedom from impairing disease, (2) ability to perform mission requirements and (3) motivation to undertake the mission. Chronologic age of itself is not a valid criterion. Forecast life expectancy and vitality relative to mission duration are valid criteria and can be applied on an individual basis using modern assessment techniques. The good health and vitality characterizing the upper ages of today's population widens the opportunity to utilize increasingly broad fields of experience and skills in future space flights, further enhancing the odds for total mission accomplishment.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Endocrine responses to space flights.

Simultaneously with human space flights several series of observations were performed by using experimental animals--mainly rats--exposed to space flights on board of special satellites BION-COSMOS or in Shuttle Transportation Systems (STS). The aims of these experiments were to study in more details: the mechanisms of the changes in bones and skeletal muscle, the alterations of the function of immune system, the radiation effects on organism, the mechanism of the changes of endocrine functions, the evaluation of the role of hormones in alteration of metabolic processes in organism. The advantages of these animal experiments were the possibilities to analyze not only the plasma samples, but it was possible to obtain samples of organs or tissues: for morphological and biochemical analysis for studies of the changes in enzyme activities and in gene expressions, for measurement of metabolic processes and for investigation of the hormone production in endocrine glands and estimation of the response of tissues to hormones. It was also possible to compare the endocrine response to spaceflight and to other stress stimuli. These animal studies are interesting for verification of some hypothesis in the mechanism of adaptation of human organism to the changes of gravity. The disadvantage was, however, that the animals in almost all experiments could be examined only after space flight. The actual inflight changes were investigated only in two SLS flights. In this short review it is not possible to evaluate all hormonal data available on the response of endocrine system to the conditions of space flights. Therefore we will concentrate on the response of pituitary adrenocortical system, pituitary thyroid and pituitary gonadal functions.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Radiation protection during space flight.

The problem of ensuring space flight safety arises from conditions inherent to space flights and outer space and from the existing weight limitations of spacecraft. In estimating radiation hazard during space flights, three natural sources are considered: the Earth's radiation belt, solar radiation, and galactic radiation. This survey first describes the major sources of radiation hazard in outer space with emphasis on those source parameters directly related to shielding manned spacecraft. Then, the current status of the safety criteria used in the shielding calculations is discussed. The rest of the survey is devoted to the rationale for spacecraft radiation shielding calculations. The recently completed long-term space flights indicate the reliability of the radiation safety measures used for the near-Earth space exploration. While planning long-term interplanetary flights, it is necessary to solve a number of complicated technological problems related to the radiation protection of the crew.

Cosmic Radiation↗
PubMed1999

Effects of space flight on surface marker expression.

Space flight has been shown to affect expression of several cell surface markers. These markers play important roles in regulation of immune responses, including CD4 and CD8. The studies have involved flight of experimental animals and humans followed by analysis of tissue samples (blood in humans, rats and monkeys, spleen, thymus, lymph nodes and bone marrow in rodents). The degree and direction of the changes induced by space flight have been determined by the conditions of the flight. Also, there may be compartmentalization of the response of surface markers to space flight, with differences in the response of cells isolated from blood and local immune tissue. The same type of compartmentalization was also observed with cell adhesion molecules (integrins). In this case, the expression of integrins from lymph node cells differed from that of splenocytes isolated from rats immediately after space flight. Cell culture studies have indicated that there may be an inhibition in conversion of a precursor cell line to cells exhibiting mature macrophage characteristics after space flight, however, these experiments were limited as a result of technical difficulties. In general, it is clear that space flight results in alterations of cell surface markers. The biological significance of these changes remains to be established.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Cardiovascular physiology in space flight.

The effects of space flight on the cardiovascular system have been studied since the first manned flights. In several instances, the results from these investigations have directly contradicted the predictions based on established models. Results suggest associations between space flight's effects on other organ systems and those on the cardiovascular system. Such findings provide new insights into normal human physiology. They must also be considered when planning for the safety and efficiency of space flight crewmembers.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed1991

Our experience in the evaluation of the thermal comfort during the space flight and in the simulated space environment.

The paper presents the results of the mathematical modelling the effects of hypogravity on the heat output by the spontaneous convection. The theoretical considerations were completed by the experiments "HEAT EXCHANGE 1" performed on the biosatellite "KOSMOS 936". In the second experiment "HEAT EXCHANGE 2" accomplished on the board of the space laboratory "SALYUT 6" was studied the effect of the microgravity on the thermal state of a man during the space flight. Direct measurement in weightlessness prowed the capacity of the developed electric dynamic katathermometer to check directly the effect of the microgravity on the heat output by the spontaneous convection. The role of the heat partition impairment's in man as by the microgravity, so by the inadequate forced convection are clearly expressed in changes of the skin temperature and the subjective feeling of the cosmonaut's thermal comfort. The experimental extension of the elaborated methods for the flexible adjustment of the thermal environment to the actual physiological needs of man and suggestions for the further investigation are outlined.

Body Temperature Regulation↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of the space flight environment on the immune system.

Space flight conditions have a dramatic effect on a variety of physiologic functions of mammals, including muscle, bone, and neurovestibular function. Among the physiological functions that are affected when humans or animals are exposed to space flight conditions is the immune response. The focus of this review is on the function of the immune system in space flight conditions during actual space flights, as well as in models of space flight conditions on the earth. The experiments were carried out in tissue culture systems, in animal models, and in human subjects. The results indicate that space flight conditions alter cell-mediated immune responses, including lymphocyte proliferation and subset distribution, and cytokine production. The mechanism(s) of space flight-induced alterations in immune system function remain(s) to be established. It is likely, however, that multiple factors, including microgravity, stress, neuroendocrine factors, sleep disruption, and nutritional factors, are involved in altering certain functions of the immune system. Such alterations could lead to compromised defenses against infections and tumors.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

[The bio-rhythmic problems of a space flight].

The influence of space-flight factors on the organism's circadian periodicity is discussed. It is shown that in mechanisms of such influence, the transformation of natural structure of Zeitgebers accompanying a space flight, can play the essential role. It is confirmed by the results of ground research carried out in conditions of isolation simulating the usual space flight transformation of Zeitgebers system. The data obtained in the ground researches with isolation, testify that the changes of circadian rhythms in these conditions are similar to those in space flights and frequently are interpreted as the result of influence of weightlessness. Special attention is paid to phenomenon of delay of the daily maximum and to possible connection of this phenomenon with the tendency to transition of rhythmic process in a free-running regime.

Adolescent↗