What are the health impacts of microgravity, and how can they be mitigated on Earth?

Introduction

Microgravity, a condition experienced in space where the force of gravity is significantly weaker than on Earth, has profound effects on human health. This environment impacts various physiological systems, including the cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, immune, and cellular systems. Understanding these effects and developing countermeasures is crucial for the health and safety of astronauts during and after space missions.

Key Insights

Cardiovascular Deconditioning:
- Microgravity leads to cardiovascular deconditioning, characterized by decreased blood volume, arterial pressure, ventricular stroke volume, and left ventricular mass, along with resetting of carotid baroreceptors. These changes result in dizziness, increased heart rate, orthostatic intolerance, and reduced exercise capacity upon return to Earth.
Musculoskeletal Atrophy:
- Both microgravity and aging cause progressive bone and muscle atrophy, leading to compromised mobility and muscle weakness. These changes are reversible after re-entry to Earth, making microgravity a useful model for studying aging.
DNA Damage and Repair:
- Microgravity and space radiation together increase DNA damage, including double-strand breaks and mutations, which can elevate cancer risk. These conditions also impair DNA repair mechanisms, leading to the accumulation of severe DNA lesions .
Immune System Impact:
- Microgravity affects immune cells, increasing apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, which can be mitigated by antioxidants like N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) and quercetin .
Microbial Behavior:
- Microgravity alters the virulence, antibiotic resistance, and gene expression of microorganisms, potentially increasing pathogenicity and impacting astronaut health. These changes necessitate careful selection of probiotics and antibiotics for space missions.
Cancer Progression:
- Microgravity can alter cancer cell growth and progression by suppressing immune cell activity and changing cellular and molecular processes. This environment may also affect epigenetic signatures, influencing cancer development.

Conclusion

Microgravity significantly impacts human health by causing cardiovascular deconditioning, musculoskeletal atrophy, increased DNA damage, immune system alterations, and changes in microbial behavior. These effects can be mitigated through various countermeasures, including physical exercise, antioxidants, and careful selection of probiotics and antibiotics. Understanding these impacts is essential for ensuring the health and safety of astronauts during and after space missions.

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What are the health impacts of microgravity, and how can they be mitigated on Earth?

Summary

Introduction

Key Insights

Conclusion

Sources and full results

Influence of Microgravity on Apoptosis in Cells, Tissues, and Other Systems In Vivo and In Vitro

Microgravity and cosmic radiation significantly influence apoptosis in various cell types, impacting morphogenesis, organ development, and wound healing.

Cardiovascular deconditioning in microgravity: some possible countermeasures

The "Twin Bikes System" (TBS) can counteract microgravity deconditioning by mimicking gravity, reducing dizziness, increased heart rate, and reduced exercise capacity in astronauts.

Fidelity of a Bacterial DNA Polymerase in Microgravity, a Model for Human Health in Space

In microgravity, bacterial DNA polymerase shows a decrease in polymerization fidelity and increased deletion frequencies, potentially impacting human health in space.

Microgravity as a model of ageing

Microgravity and ageing share common physiological changes, leading to progressive bone and muscle atrophy, but these effects are quickly restored after re-entry.

Interplay of space radiation and microgravity in DNA damage and DNA damage response

Space radiation and microgravity can cause DNA damage and impact DNA repair, increasing the risk of adverse health effects like cancer.

Combined Exposure to Simulated Microgravity and Acute or Chronic Radiation Reduces Neuronal Network Integrity and Survival

Simulated microgravity and radiation exposure together significantly reduce neuronal network integrity and survival, potentially impacting astronaut health risks.

Impact of microgravity on virulence, antibiotic resistance, and gene expression in beneficial and pathogenic microorganisms.

Microgravity conditions can increase bacterial pathogenicity and resistance to antibiotics, affecting astronauts' health and influencing the selection of appropriate probiotics during space missions.

Simulated microgravity increases heavy ion radiation-induced apoptosis in human B lymphoblasts.

Simulated microgravity increases heavy ion radiation-induced apoptosis in human B lymphoblasts, with NAC and quercetin potentially protecting astronauts' health and safety.

Microgravity alters cancer growth and progression.

Microgravity alters cancer growth and progression, potentially increasing the risk of cancer development by suppressing immune cell activity.

Simulated microgravity triggers DNA damage and mitochondria-mediated apoptosis through ROS generation in human promyelocytic leukemic cells.

Simulated microgravity triggers DNA damage and mitochondria-mediated apoptosis in human promyelocytic leukemic cells, potentially affecting their survival and proliferation.

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