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Rutter LA, Cope H, MacKay MJ, Herranz R, Das S, Ponomarev SA, Costes SV, Paul AM, Barker R, Taylor DM, Bezdan D, Szewczyk NJ, Muratani M, Mason CE, Giacomello S. Astronaut omics and the impact of space on the human body at scale. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4952. [PMID: 38862505 PMCID: PMC11166943 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47237-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Future multi-year crewed planetary missions will motivate advances in aerospace nutrition and telehealth. On Earth, the Human Cell Atlas project aims to spatially map all cell types in the human body. Here, we propose that a parallel Human Cell Space Atlas could serve as an openly available, global resource for space life science research. As humanity becomes increasingly spacefaring, high-resolution omics on orbit could permit an advent of precision spaceflight healthcare. Alongside the scientific potential, we consider the complex ethical, cultural, and legal challenges intrinsic to the human space omics discipline, and how philosophical frameworks may benefit from international perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay A Rutter
- Transborder Medical Research Center, University of Tsukuba, 305-8575, Tsukuba, Japan
- Department of Genome Biology, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, 305-8575, Tsukuba, Japan
- School of Chemistry, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Henry Cope
- School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Derby, DE22 3DT, UK
| | - Matthew J MacKay
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA
- The HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10021, USA
- The WorldQuant Initiative for Quantitative Prediction, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Raúl Herranz
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas "Margarita Salas" (CSIC), Ramiro de Maeztu 9, Madrid, 28040, Spain
| | - Saswati Das
- Department of Biochemistry, Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Medical Sciences & Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi, 110001, India
| | - Sergey A Ponomarev
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Institute for the Biomedical Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences, 123007, Moscow, Russia
| | - Sylvain V Costes
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, 94035, USA
| | - Amber M Paul
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Department of Human Factors and Behavioral Neurobiology, Daytona Beach, FL, 32114, USA
| | - Richard Barker
- Department of Botany, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| | - Deanne M Taylor
- Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Daniela Bezdan
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, 72076, Germany
- NGS Competence Center Tübingen (NCCT), University of Tübingen, Tübingen, 72076, Germany
- yuri GmbH, Meckenbeuren, 88074, Germany
| | - Nathaniel J Szewczyk
- School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Derby, DE22 3DT, UK
- Ohio Musculoskeletal and Neurological Institute (OMNI), Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ohio University, Athens, OH, 45701, USA
| | - Masafumi Muratani
- Transborder Medical Research Center, University of Tsukuba, 305-8575, Tsukuba, Japan
- Department of Genome Biology, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, 305-8575, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Christopher E Mason
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
- The HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10021, USA.
- The WorldQuant Initiative for Quantitative Prediction, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
- The Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
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2
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Zheng YH, Pan GJ, Quan Y, Zhang HY. Construction of microgravity biological knowledge graph and its applications in anti-osteoporosis drug prediction. LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2024; 41:64-73. [PMID: 38670654 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2024.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Microgravity in the space environment can potentially have various negative effects on the human body, one of which is bone loss. Given the increasing frequency of human space activities, there is an urgent need to identify effective anti-osteoporosis drugs for the microgravity environment. Traditional microgravity experiments conducted in space suffer from limitations such as time-consuming procedures, high costs, and small sample sizes. In recent years, the in-silico drug discovery method has emerged as a promising strategy due to the advancements in bioinformatics and computer technology. In this study, we first collected a total of 184,915 literature articles related to microgravity and bone loss. We employed a combination of dependency path extraction and clustering techniques to extract data from the text. Afterwards, we conducted data cleaning and standardization to integrate data from several sources, including The Global Network of Biomedical Relationships (GNBR), Curated Drug-Drug Interactions Database (DDInter), Search Tool for Interacting Chemicals (STITCH), DrugBank, and Traditional Chinese Medicines Integrated Database (TCMID). Through this integration process, we constructed the Microgravity Biology Knowledge Graph (MBKG) consisting of 134,796 biological entities and 3,395,273 triplets. Subsequently, the TransE model was utilized to perform knowledge graph embedding. By calculating the distances between entities in the model space, the model successfully predicted potential drugs for treating osteoporosis and microgravity-induced bone loss. The results indicate that out of the top 10 ranked western medicines, 7 have been approved for the treatment of osteoporosis. Additionally, among the top 10 ranked traditional Chinese medicines, 5 have scientific literature supporting their effectiveness in treating bone loss. Among the top 20 predicted medicines for microgravity-induced bone loss, 15 have been studied in microgravity or simulated microgravity environments, while the remaining 5 are also applicable for treating osteoporosis. This research highlights the potential application of MBKG in the field of space drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Han Zheng
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Agricultural Bioinformatics, College of Informatics, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Guan-Jing Pan
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Agricultural Bioinformatics, College of Informatics, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Yuan Quan
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Agricultural Bioinformatics, College of Informatics, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.
| | - Hong-Yu Zhang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Agricultural Bioinformatics, College of Informatics, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
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3
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Ecker Cohen O, Neuman S, Natan Y, Levy A, Blum YD, Amselem S, Bavli D, Ben Y. Amorphous calcium carbonate enhances osteogenic differentiation and myotube formation of human bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells and primary skeletal muscle cells under microgravity conditions. LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2024; 41:146-157. [PMID: 38670641 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2024.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Astronauts are exposed to severely stressful physiological conditions due to microgravity and increased space radiation. Space environment affects every organ and cell in the body and the significant adverse effects of long-term weightlessness include muscle atrophy and deterioration of the skeleton (spaceflight osteopenia). Amorphous Calcium Carbonate (ACC) emerges as a promising candidate for prevention of these effects, owing to its unique physicochemical properties and its potential to address the intricately linked nature of bone-muscle crosstalk. Reported here are two studies carried out on the International Space Station (ISS). The first, performed in 2018 as a part of the Ramon-Spacelab project, was a preliminary experiment, in which stromal murine cells were differentiated into osteoblasts when ACC was added to the culture medium. A parallel experiment was done on Earth as a control. The second study was part of Axiom-1's Rakia project mission launched to the ISS on 2022 utilizing organ-on-a-chip methodology with a specially designed autonomous module. In this experiment, human bone-marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (hBM-MSCs) and human primary muscle cells were cultured in the presence or absence of ACC, in duplicates. The results showed that ACC enhanced differentiation of human primary skeletal muscle cells into myotubes. Similarly, hBM-MSCs were differentiated significantly better into osteocytes in the presence of ACC leading to increased calcium deposits. The results, combined with previous data, support the use of ACC as an advantageous supplement for preventing muscle and bone deterioration in outer space conditions, facilitating extended extraterrestrial voyages and colonization.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sara Neuman
- Amorphical LTD, 11 HaHarash St. Nes Ziona, 740318, Israel
| | - Yehudit Natan
- Amorphical LTD, 11 HaHarash St. Nes Ziona, 740318, Israel.
| | - Almog Levy
- SpacePharma R&D, 1 Abba Even Blvd, Herzliya, 4612003, Israel
| | - Yigal Dov Blum
- Amorphical LTD, 11 HaHarash St. Nes Ziona, 740318, Israel
| | - Shimon Amselem
- SpacePharma R&D, 1 Abba Even Blvd, Herzliya, 4612003, Israel
| | - Danny Bavli
- SpacePharma R&D, 1 Abba Even Blvd, Herzliya, 4612003, Israel
| | - Yossi Ben
- Amorphical LTD, 11 HaHarash St. Nes Ziona, 740318, Israel
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4
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Cowburn J, Serrancolí G, Colyer S, Cazzola D. Optimal fibre length and maximum isometric force are the most influential parameters when modelling muscular adaptations to unloading using Hill-type muscle models. Front Physiol 2024; 15:1347089. [PMID: 38694205 PMCID: PMC11061504 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1347089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Spaceflight is associated with severe muscular adaptations with substantial inter-individual variability. A Hill-type muscle model is a common method to replicate muscle physiology in musculoskeletal simulations, but little is known about how the underlying parameters should be adjusted to model adaptations to unloading. The aim of this study was to determine how Hill-type muscle model parameters should be adjusted to model disuse muscular adaptations. Methods: Isokinetic dynamometer data were taken from a bed rest campaign and used to perform tracking simulations at two knee extension angular velocities (30°·s-1 and 180°·s-1). The activation and contraction dynamics were solved using an optimal control approach and direct collocation method. A Monte Carlo sampling technique was used to perturb muscle model parameters within physiological boundaries to create a range of theoretical and feasible parameters to model muscle adaptations. Results: Optimal fibre length could not be shortened by more than 67% and 61% for the knee flexors and non-knee muscles, respectively. Discussion: The Hill-type muscle model successfully replicated muscular adaptations due to unloading, and recreated salient features of muscle behaviour associated with spaceflight, such as altered force-length behaviour. Future researchers should carefully adjust the optimal fibre lengths of their muscle-models when trying to model adaptations to unloading, particularly muscles that primarily operate on the ascending and descending limbs of the force-length relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Cowburn
- Department for Health, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
- Centre for the Analysis of Motion, Entertainment Research and Applications, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
| | - Gil Serrancolí
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Steffi Colyer
- Department for Health, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
- Centre for the Analysis of Motion, Entertainment Research and Applications, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
| | - Dario Cazzola
- Department for Health, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
- Centre for the Analysis of Motion, Entertainment Research and Applications, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
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Blottner D, Moriggi M, Trautmann G, Furlan S, Block K, Gutsmann M, Torretta E, Barbacini P, Capitanio D, Rittweger J, Limper U, Volpe P, Gelfi C, Salanova M. Nitrosative Stress in Astronaut Skeletal Muscle in Spaceflight. Antioxidants (Basel) 2024; 13:432. [PMID: 38671880 PMCID: PMC11047620 DOI: 10.3390/antiox13040432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Long-duration mission (LDM) astronauts from the International Space Station (ISS) (>180 ISS days) revealed a close-to-normal sarcolemmal nitric oxide synthase type-1 (NOS1) immunoexpression in myofibers together with biochemical and quantitative qPCR changes in deep calf soleus muscle. Nitro-DIGE analyses identified functional proteins (structural, metabolic, mitochondrial) that were over-nitrosylated post- vs. preflight. In a short-duration mission (SDM) astronaut (9 ISS days), s-nitrosylation of a nodal protein of the glycolytic flux, specific proteins in tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, respiratory chain, and over-nitrosylation of creatine kinase M-types as signs of impaired ATP production and muscle contraction proteins were seen. S-nitrosylation of serotransferrin (TF) or carbonic anhydrase 3 (CA3b and 3c) represented signs of acute response microgravity muscle maladaptation. LDM nitrosoprofiles reflected recovery of mitochondrial activity, contraction proteins, and iron transporter TF as signs of muscle adaptation to microgravity. Nitrosated antioxidant proteins, alcohol dehydrogenase 5/S-nitrosoglutathione reductase (ADH5/GSNOR), and selenoprotein thioredoxin reductase 1 (TXNRD1) levels indicated signs of altered redox homeostasis and reduced protection from nitrosative stress in spaceflight. This work presents a novel spaceflight-generated dataset on s-nitrosylated muscle protein signatures from astronauts that helps both to better understand the structural and molecular networks associated to muscular nitrosative stress and to design countermeasures to dysfunction and impaired performance control in human spaceflight missions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dieter Blottner
- Institute of Integrative Neuroanatomy, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, 10115 Berlin, Germany; (G.T.); (K.B.); (M.G.); (M.S.)
- NeuroMuscular System and Signaling Group, Center of Space Medicine and Extreme Environments, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Manuela Moriggi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy; (M.M.); (P.B.); (D.C.); (C.G.)
| | - Gabor Trautmann
- Institute of Integrative Neuroanatomy, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, 10115 Berlin, Germany; (G.T.); (K.B.); (M.G.); (M.S.)
| | - Sandra Furlan
- C.N.R. Neuroscience Institute, I-35121 Padova, Italy;
| | - Katharina Block
- Institute of Integrative Neuroanatomy, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, 10115 Berlin, Germany; (G.T.); (K.B.); (M.G.); (M.S.)
| | - Martina Gutsmann
- Institute of Integrative Neuroanatomy, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, 10115 Berlin, Germany; (G.T.); (K.B.); (M.G.); (M.S.)
| | - Enrica Torretta
- Laboratory of Proteomics and Lipidomics, IRCCS Orthopedic Institute Galeazzi, Via R. Galeazzi 4, 20161 Milan, Italy;
| | - Pietro Barbacini
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy; (M.M.); (P.B.); (D.C.); (C.G.)
| | - Daniele Capitanio
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy; (M.M.); (P.B.); (D.C.); (C.G.)
| | - Joern Rittweger
- Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), 51147 Cologne, Germany; (J.R.); (U.L.)
| | - Ulrich Limper
- Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), 51147 Cologne, Germany; (J.R.); (U.L.)
- Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Merheim Medical Center, Witten/Herdecke University, 51109 Cologne, Germany
| | - Pompeo Volpe
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Università di Padova, I-35121 Padova, Italy;
| | - Cecilia Gelfi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy; (M.M.); (P.B.); (D.C.); (C.G.)
- Laboratory of Proteomics and Lipidomics, IRCCS Orthopedic Institute Galeazzi, Via R. Galeazzi 4, 20161 Milan, Italy;
| | - Michele Salanova
- Institute of Integrative Neuroanatomy, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, 10115 Berlin, Germany; (G.T.); (K.B.); (M.G.); (M.S.)
- NeuroMuscular System and Signaling Group, Center of Space Medicine and Extreme Environments, 10115 Berlin, Germany
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Schlaff CD, Helgeson MD, Wagner SC. Pathophysiologic Spine Adaptations and Countermeasures for Prolonged Spaceflight. Clin Spine Surg 2024; 37:43-48. [PMID: 37459484 DOI: 10.1097/bsd.0000000000001488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Low back pain due to spaceflight is a common complaint of returning astronauts. Alterations in musculoskeletal anatomy during spaceflight and the effects of microgravity (μg) have been well-studied; however, the mechanisms behind these changes remain unclear. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration has released the Human Research Roadmap to guide investigators in developing effective countermeasure strategies for the Artemis Program, as well as commercial low-orbit spaceflight. Based on the Human Research Roadmap, the existing literature was examined to determine the current understanding of the effects of microgravity on the musculoskeletal components of the spinal column. In addition, countermeasure strategies will be required to mitigate these effects for long-duration spaceflight. Current pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic countermeasure strategies are suboptimal, as evidenced by continued muscle and bone loss, alterations in muscle phenotype, and bone metabolism. However, studies incorporating the use of ultrasound, beta-blockers, and other pharmacologic agents have shown some promise. Understanding these mechanisms will not only benefit space technology but likely lead to a return on investment for the management of Earth-bound diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cody D Schlaff
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, National Capital Consortium
- The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD
| | - Melvin D Helgeson
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, National Capital Consortium
- The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD
| | - Scott C Wagner
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, National Capital Consortium
- The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD
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Camy C, Grünewald T, Lamy E, Roseren F, Caumes M, Fovet T, Brioche T, Genovesio C, Chopard A, Pithioux M, Roffino S. Characterization of the mechanical properties of the mouse Achilles tendon enthesis by microindentation. Effects of unloading and subsequent reloading. Bone Rep 2024; 20:101734. [PMID: 38292933 PMCID: PMC10825371 DOI: 10.1016/j.bonr.2024.101734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
The fibrocartilaginous tendon enthesis, i.e. the site where a tendon is attached to bone through a fibrocartilaginous tissue, is considered as a functionally graded interface. However, at local scale, a very limited number of studies have characterized micromechanical properties of this transitional tissue. The first goal of this work was to characterize the micromechanical properties of the mineralized part of the healthy Achilles tendon enthesis (ATE) through microindentation testing and to assess the degree of mineralization and of carbonation of mineral crystals by Raman spectroscopy. Since little is known about enthesis biological plasticity, our second objective was to examine the effects of unloading and reloading, using a mouse hindlimb-unloading model, on both the micromechanical properties and the mineral phase of the ATE. Elastic modulus, hardness, degree of mineralization, and degree of carbonation were assessed after 14 days of hindlimb suspension and again after a subsequent 6 days of reloading. The elastic modulus gradually increased along the mineralized part of the ATE from the tidemark to the subchondral bone, with the same trend being found for hardness. Whereas the degree of carbonation did not differ according to zone of measurement, the degree of mineralization increased by >70 % from tidemark to subchondral bone. Thus, the gradient in micromechanical properties is in part explained by a mineralization gradient. A 14-day unloading period did not appear to affect the gradient of micromechanical properties of the ATE, nor the degree of mineralization or carbonation. However, contrary to a short period of unloading, early return to normal mechanical load reduced the micromechanical properties gradient, regardless of carbonate-to-phosphate ratios, likely due to the more homogeneous degree of mineralization. These findings provide valuable data not only for tissue bioengineering, but also for musculoskeletal clinical studies and microgravity studies focusing on long-term space travel by astronauts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Camy
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, ISM, 13009 Marseille, France
| | - Tilman Grünewald
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, Centrale Marseille, Institut Fresnel, Marseille, France
| | - Edouard Lamy
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, ISM, 13009 Marseille, France
| | - Flavy Roseren
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, ISM, 13009 Marseille, France
- Aix Marseille Univ, APHM, CNRS, ISM, Mecabio Platform, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, 13009 Marseille, France
| | | | - Théo Fovet
- DMEM, Montpellier University, INRAE, UMR 866, Montpellier, France
| | - Thomas Brioche
- DMEM, Montpellier University, INRAE, UMR 866, Montpellier, France
| | | | - Angèle Chopard
- DMEM, Montpellier University, INRAE, UMR 866, Montpellier, France
| | - Martine Pithioux
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, ISM, 13009 Marseille, France
- Aix Marseille Univ, APHM, CNRS, ISM, Mecabio Platform, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, 13009 Marseille, France
- Aix Marseille Univ, APHM, CNRS, ISM, Sainte-Marguerite Hospital, Institute for Locomotion, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, 13009 Marseille, France
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8
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Friedman MA, Buettmann EG, Zeineddine Y, Abraham LB, Hoppock GA, Meas SJ, Zhang Y, Farber CR, Donahue HJ. Genetic variation influences the skeletal response to hindlimb unloading in the eight founder strains of the diversity outbred mouse population. J Orthop Res 2024; 42:134-140. [PMID: 37321985 PMCID: PMC10721729 DOI: 10.1002/jor.25646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
During disuse, mechanical unloading causes extensive bone loss, decreasing bone volume and strength. Variations in bone mass and risk of osteoporosis are influenced by genetics; however, it remains unclear how genetic variation affects the skeletal response to unloading. We previously found that genetic variation affects the musculoskeletal response to 3 weeks of immobilization in the 8 Jackson Laboratory J:DO founder strains: C57Bl/6J, A/J, 129S1/SvImJ, NOD/ShiLtJ, NZO/HlLtJ, CAST/EiJ, PWK/PhJ, and WSB/EiJ. Hindlimb unloading (HLU) is the best model for simulating local and systemic contributors of disuse and therefore may have a greater impact on bones than immobilization. We hypothesized that genetic variation would affect the response to HLU across the eight founder strains. Mice of each founder strain were placed in HLU for 3 weeks, and the femurs and tibias were analyzed. There were significant HLU and mouse strain interactions on body weight, femur trabecular BV/TV, and femur ultimate force. This indicates that unloading only caused significant catabolic effects in some mouse strains. C57BL/6 J mice were most affected by unloading while other strains were more protected. There were significant HLU and mouse strain interactions on gene expression of genes encoding bone metabolism genes in the tibia. This indicates that unloading only caused significant effects on bone metabolism genes in some mouse strains. Different mouse strains respond to HLU differently, and this can be explained by genetic differences. These results suggest the outbred J:DO mice will be a powerful model for examining the effects of genetics on the skeletal response to HLU.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Yue Zhang
- Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond VA
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9
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Maillard T. The Three-Dimensional Body Center of Mass at the Workplace under Hypogravity. Bioengineering (Basel) 2023; 10:1221. [PMID: 37892951 PMCID: PMC10604834 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10101221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The center of mass dynamics of the seated posture of humans in a work environment under hypogravity (0 < g < 1) have rarely been investigated, and such research is yet to be carried out. The present study determined the difference in the body system of 32 participants working under simulated 1/6 g (Moon) and 1 g (Earth) for comparison using static and dynamic task measurements. This was based on a markerless motion capture method that analyzed participants' center of mass at the start, middle and end of the task when they began to get fatigued. According to this analysis, there is a positive relationship (p < 0.01) with a positive coefficient of correlation between the downward center of mass body shift along the proximodistal axis and gravity level for males and females. At the same time, the same positive relationship (p < 0.01) between the tilt of the body backward along the anterior-posterior axis and the level of gravity was found only in females. This offers fresh perspectives for comprehending hypogravity in a broader framework regarding its impact on musculoskeletal disorders. It can also improve workplace ergonomics, body stability, equipment design, and biomechanics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana Maillard
- Space Innovation, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
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10
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Bukreeva I, Gulimova VI, Krivonosov YS, Buzmakov AV, Junemann O, Cedola A, Fratini M, Maugeri L, Begani Provinciali G, Palermo F, Sanna A, Pieroni N, Asadchikov VE, Saveliev SV. The Study of the Caudal Vertebrae of Thick-Toed Geckos after a Prolonged Space Flight by X-ray Phase-Contrast Micro-CT. Cells 2023; 12:2415. [PMID: 37830629 PMCID: PMC10572532 DOI: 10.3390/cells12192415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The proximal caudal vertebrae and notochord in thick-toed geckos (TG) (Chondrodactylus turneri, Gray, 1864) were investigated after a 30-day space flight onboard the biosatellite Bion-M1. This region has not been explored in previous studies. Our research focused on finding sites most affected by demineralization caused by microgravity (G0). We used X-ray phase-contrast tomography to study TG samples without invasive prior preparation to clarify our previous findings on the resistance of TG's bones to demineralization in G0. The results of the present study confirmed that geckos are capable of preserving bone mass after flight, as neither cortical nor trabecular bone volume fraction showed statistically significant changes after flight. On the other hand, we observed a clear decrease in the mineralization of the notochordal septum and a substantial rise in intercentrum volume following the flight. To monitor TG's mineral metabolism in G0, we propose to measure the volume of mineralized tissue in the notochordal septum. This technique holds promise as a sensitive approach to track the demineralization process in G0, given that the volume of calcification within the septum is limited, making it easy to detect even slight changes in mineral content.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inna Bukreeva
- Institute of Nanotechnology, CNR, Rome Unit, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (I.B.); (O.J.); (A.C.); (M.F.)
- P.N. Lebedev Physical Institute Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninskiy Prospekt 53, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Victoria I. Gulimova
- Avtsyn Research Institute of Human Morphology of Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution, “Petrovsky National Research Centre of Surgery”, Tsyurupy Str. 3, 117418 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Yuri S. Krivonosov
- Federal Scientific Research Centre “Crystallography and Photonics”, Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninskiy Prospekt 59, 119333 Moscow, Russia (V.E.A.)
| | - Alexey V. Buzmakov
- Federal Scientific Research Centre “Crystallography and Photonics”, Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninskiy Prospekt 59, 119333 Moscow, Russia (V.E.A.)
| | - Olga Junemann
- Institute of Nanotechnology, CNR, Rome Unit, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (I.B.); (O.J.); (A.C.); (M.F.)
- Avtsyn Research Institute of Human Morphology of Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution, “Petrovsky National Research Centre of Surgery”, Tsyurupy Str. 3, 117418 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Alessia Cedola
- Institute of Nanotechnology, CNR, Rome Unit, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (I.B.); (O.J.); (A.C.); (M.F.)
| | - Michela Fratini
- Institute of Nanotechnology, CNR, Rome Unit, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (I.B.); (O.J.); (A.C.); (M.F.)
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Via Ardeatina 306/354, 00142 Roma, Italy
| | - Laura Maugeri
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Via Ardeatina 306/354, 00142 Roma, Italy
| | - Ginevra Begani Provinciali
- Institute of Nanotechnology, CNR, Rome Unit, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (I.B.); (O.J.); (A.C.); (M.F.)
- Physics Department, ‘Sapienza’ University, Piazzale Aldo Moro 2, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Laboratoire d’Optique Appliquée, CNRS, ENSTA Paris, Ecole Polytechnique IP Paris, 91120 Palaiseau, France
| | - Francesca Palermo
- Institute of Nanotechnology, CNR, Rome Unit, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (I.B.); (O.J.); (A.C.); (M.F.)
| | - Alessia Sanna
- Institute of Nanotechnology, CNR, Rome Unit, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (I.B.); (O.J.); (A.C.); (M.F.)
| | - Nicola Pieroni
- Institute of Nanotechnology, CNR, Rome Unit, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (I.B.); (O.J.); (A.C.); (M.F.)
| | - Victor E. Asadchikov
- Federal Scientific Research Centre “Crystallography and Photonics”, Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninskiy Prospekt 59, 119333 Moscow, Russia (V.E.A.)
| | - Sergey V. Saveliev
- Avtsyn Research Institute of Human Morphology of Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution, “Petrovsky National Research Centre of Surgery”, Tsyurupy Str. 3, 117418 Moscow, Russia;
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11
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Maillard T. Hypogravity modeling of upper extremities: an investigation of manual handling in the workplace. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1198162. [PMID: 37854467 PMCID: PMC10580979 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1198162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Experiments on the lower limbs are the only approaches being used to study how hypogravity (HG) (0 < g < 1, e.g., Moon: 1/6 g, Mars: 3/8 g) affects human movement. The goal of this study was to expand this field experimentally by investigating the effect of HG on the upper extremities during one-handed manual handling tasks in a sitting posture: static weight holding with an outstretched arm, and slow repetitive weight lifting and lowering motions. The hypothesis was that while completing static and dynamic tasks with elements of repetition in HG, the upper body's tilt (angle regarding the vertical axis) would change differently from Earth's gravity. Specifically, upper arm and spine angles, joint torques, and forces were investigated. Twenty-four healthy participants aged 33.6 ± 8.2 years were involved in the trial. Joint angles were examined using vision-based 3D motion analysis. According to this investigation, there is a correlation between a body tilting backward and a gravity level reduction (p < 0.01). Thus, HG causes postural deviation, and this shows that workplace design must be adapted according to the level of gravity to promote comfortable and balanced body alignment, minimizing stress on muscles and joints. To lower the risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), enhance overall performance, and increase job satisfaction, proper support systems and restrictions for sitting positions should be taken into account, concerning different levels of gravity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana Maillard
- Space Innovation, Doctoral Program in Civil and Environmental Engineering, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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12
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Ha P, Kwak JH, Zhang Y, Shi J, Tran L, Liu TP, Pan HC, Lee S, Kim JK, Chen E, Shirazi-Fard Y, Stodieck LS, Lin A, Zheng Z, Dong SN, Zhang X, Wu BM, Ting K, Soo C. Bisphosphonate conjugation enhances the bone-specificity of NELL-1-based systemic therapy for spaceflight-induced bone loss in mice. NPJ Microgravity 2023; 9:75. [PMID: 37723136 PMCID: PMC10507033 DOI: 10.1038/s41526-023-00319-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Microgravity-induced bone loss results in a 1% bone mineral density loss monthly and can be a mission critical factor in long-duration spaceflight. Biomolecular therapies with dual osteogenic and anti-resorptive functions are promising for treating extreme osteoporosis. We previously confirmed that NELL-like molecule-1 (NELL-1) is crucial for bone density maintenance. We further PEGylated NELL-1 (NELL-polyethylene glycol, or NELL-PEG) to increase systemic delivery half-life from 5.5 to 15.5 h. In this study, we used a bio-inert bisphosphonate (BP) moiety to chemically engineer NELL-PEG into BP-NELL-PEG and specifically target bone tissues. We found conjugation with BP improved hydroxyapatite (HA) binding and protein stability of NELL-PEG while preserving NELL-1's osteogenicity in vitro. Furthermore, BP-NELL-PEG showed superior in vivo bone specificity without observable pathology in liver, spleen, lungs, brain, heart, muscles, or ovaries of mice. Finally, we tested BP-NELL-PEG through spaceflight exposure onboard the International Space Station (ISS) at maximal animal capacity (n = 40) in a long-term (9 week) osteoporosis therapeutic study and found that BP-NELL-PEG significantly increased bone formation in flight and ground control mice without obvious adverse health effects. Our results highlight BP-NELL-PEG as a promising therapeutic to mitigate extreme bone loss from long-duration microgravity exposure and musculoskeletal degeneration on Earth, especially when resistance training is not possible due to incapacity (e.g., bone fracture, stroke).
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Affiliation(s)
- Pin Ha
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and the Orthopaedic Hospital Research Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Jin Hee Kwak
- Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Yulong Zhang
- Department of Bioengineering, Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- Forsyth Institute, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Jiayu Shi
- School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Luan Tran
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and the Orthopaedic Hospital Research Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Timothy Pan Liu
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and the Orthopaedic Hospital Research Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Hsin-Chuan Pan
- School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Samantha Lee
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and the Orthopaedic Hospital Research Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Jong Kil Kim
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Eric Chen
- School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Yasaman Shirazi-Fard
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, 94035, USA
| | - Louis S Stodieck
- BioServe Space Technologies and Aerospace Engineering Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
| | - Andy Lin
- Office of Advanced Research Computing, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Zhong Zheng
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and the Orthopaedic Hospital Research Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Stella Nuo Dong
- School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Xinli Zhang
- School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Benjamin M Wu
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and the Orthopaedic Hospital Research Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
- Department of Bioengineering, Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
- Forsyth Institute, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA.
- School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
| | - Kang Ting
- Forsyth Institute, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA.
| | - Chia Soo
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and the Orthopaedic Hospital Research Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
- Department of Bioengineering, Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
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13
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Niclou A, St-Martin P, Redman LM, Bergouignan A. New frontiers in the measurement of energy metabolism. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2023; 325:E239-E243. [PMID: 37493244 PMCID: PMC10642982 DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00070.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
This perspective highlights three key areas of current and future energy metabolism research: intergenerational health, climate change, and interplanetary exploration. We describe the recent advances in determining estimated energy requirements for a large subset of the general population using the gold standard method for free-living total daily energy expenditure estimates, the doubly labeled water method. The global rise in overweight and obesity demands particular attention to energy requirements in pregnancy and early life, as accumulating evidence contributes to our understanding of intergenerational health transmission and the potential for epigenetic programming in utero. We also acknowledge some gaps in necessary guidelines and understandings of energy requirements for underrepresented populations (i.e., individuals from low and middle-income countries) or those who undergo major physiological changes in new environment (e.g., astronauts). The rising prevalence of excess weight gain, together with climate change, cumulate into a global syndemic exposing vulnerable populations to both malnutrition and the effects of unpredictable and severe weather events, emphasizing the need for varied energetic data accounting for rapid physiological and socioeconomic changes. Finally, we relate how specific estimated energy requirements are needed to account for the energetic challenges specific to extended space travel and ensure the success of interplanetary exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Niclou
- Reproductive Endocrinology and Women's Health Laboratory, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States
| | - Philippe St-Martin
- Faculty of Physical Activity Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
- Research Centre on Aging, Université de Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
- Reproductive Endocrinology and Women's Health Laboratory, Université de Strasbourg, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut Pluridisciplinaire Hubert Curien UMR 7178, Strasbourg, France
| | - Leanne M Redman
- Reproductive Endocrinology and Women's Health Laboratory, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States
| | - Audrey Bergouignan
- Reproductive Endocrinology and Women's Health Laboratory, Université de Strasbourg, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut Pluridisciplinaire Hubert Curien UMR 7178, Strasbourg, France
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, Anschutz Health & Wellness Center, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States
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14
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Buettmann EG, DeNapoli RC, Abraham LB, Denisco JA, Lorenz MR, Friedman MA, Donahue HJ. Reambulation following hindlimb unloading attenuates disuse-induced changes in murine fracture healing. Bone 2023; 172:116748. [PMID: 37001629 DOI: 10.1016/j.bone.2023.116748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
Patients with bone and muscle loss from prolonged disuse have higher risk of falls and subsequent fragility fractures. In addition, fracture patients with continued disuse and/or delayed physical rehabilitation have worse clinical outcomes compared to individuals with immediate weight-bearing activity following diaphyseal fracture. However, the effects of prior disuse followed by physical reambulation on fracture healing cellular processes and adjacent bone and skeletal muscle recovery post-injury remains poorly defined. To bridge this knowledge gap and inform future treatment and rehabilitation strategies for fractures, a preclinical model of fracture healing with a history of prior unloading with and without reambulation was employed. First, skeletally mature male and female C57BL/6J mice (18 weeks) underwent hindlimb unloading by tail suspension (HLU) for 3 weeks to induce significant bone and muscle loss modeling enhanced bone fragility. Next, mice had their right femur fractured by open surgical dissection (stabilized with 24-gauge pin). The, mice were randomly assigned to continued HLU or allowed normal weight-bearing reambulation (HLU + R). Mice given normal cage activity throughout the experiment served as healthy age-matched controls. All mice were sacrificed 4-days (DPF4) or 14-days (DPF14) following fracture to assess healing and uninjured hindlimb musculoskeletal properties (6-10 mice per treatment/biological sex). We found that continued disuse following fracture lead to severely diminished uninjured hindlimb skeletal muscle mass (gastrocnemius and soleus) and femoral bone volume adjacent to the fracture site compared to healthy age-matched controls across mouse sexes. Furthermore, HLU led to significantly decreased periosteal expansion (DPF4) and osteochondral tissue formation by DPF14, and trends in increased osteoclastogenesis (DPF14) and decreased woven bone vascular area (DPF14). In contrast, immediate reambulation for 2 weeks after fracture, even following a period of prolonged disuse, was able to increase hindlimb skeletal tissue mass and increase osteochondral tissue formation, albeit not to healthy control levels, in both mouse sexes. Furthermore, reambulation attenuated osteoclast formation seen in woven bone tissue undergoing disuse. Our results suggest that weight-bearing skeletal loading in both sexes immediately following fracture may improve callus healing and prevent further fall risk by stimulating skeletal muscle anabolism and decreasing callus resorption compared to minimal or delayed rehabilitation regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan G Buettmann
- Virginia Commonwealth University, Biomedical Engineering, Richmond, VA, United States of America
| | - Rachel C DeNapoli
- Virginia Commonwealth University, Biomedical Engineering, Richmond, VA, United States of America
| | - Lovell B Abraham
- Virginia Commonwealth University, Biomedical Engineering, Richmond, VA, United States of America
| | - Joe A Denisco
- Virginia Commonwealth University, Biomedical Engineering, Richmond, VA, United States of America
| | - Madelyn R Lorenz
- Virginia Commonwealth University, Biomedical Engineering, Richmond, VA, United States of America
| | - Michael A Friedman
- Virginia Commonwealth University, Biomedical Engineering, Richmond, VA, United States of America
| | - Henry J Donahue
- Virginia Commonwealth University, Biomedical Engineering, Richmond, VA, United States of America.
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15
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Capri M, Conte M, Ciurca E, Pirazzini C, Garagnani P, Santoro A, Longo F, Salvioli S, Lau P, Moeller R, Jordan J, Illig T, Villanueva MM, Gruber M, Bürkle A, Franceschi C, Rittweger J. Long-term human spaceflight and inflammaging: Does it promote aging? Ageing Res Rev 2023; 87:101909. [PMID: 36918115 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2023.101909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023]
Abstract
Spaceflight and its associated stressors, such as microgravity, radiation exposure, confinement, circadian derailment and disruptive workloads represent an unprecedented type of exposome that is entirely novel from an evolutionary stand point. Within this perspective, we aimed to review the effects of prolonged spaceflight on immune-neuroendocrine systems, brain and brain-gut axis, cardiovascular system and musculoskeletal apparatus, highlighting in particular the similarities with an accelerated aging process. In particular, spaceflight-induced muscle atrophy/sarcopenia and bone loss, vascular and metabolic changes, hyper and hypo reaction of innate and adaptive immune system appear to be modifications shared with the aging process. Most of these modifications are mediated by molecular events that include oxidative and mitochondrial stress, autophagy, DNA damage repair and telomere length alteration, among others, which directly or indirectly converge on the activation of an inflammatory response. According to the inflammaging theory of aging, such an inflammatory response could be a driver of an acceleration of the normal, physiological rate of aging and it is likely that all the systemic modifications in turn lead to an increase of inflammaging in a sort of vicious cycle. The most updated countermeasures to fight these modifications will be also discussed in the light of their possible application not only for astronauts' benefit, but also for older adults on the ground.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Capri
- Department of Medical and Surgical Science, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy; Alma Mater Research Institute on Global Challenges and Climate Change (Alma Climate), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Conte
- Department of Medical and Surgical Science, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy; Alma Mater Research Institute on Global Challenges and Climate Change (Alma Climate), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Erika Ciurca
- Department of Medical and Surgical Science, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Chiara Pirazzini
- Department of Medical and Surgical Science, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Paolo Garagnani
- Department of Medical and Surgical Science, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy; Alma Mater Research Institute on Global Challenges and Climate Change (Alma Climate), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy; Clinical Chemistry Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet at Huddinge University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; CNR Institute of Molecular Genetics, Unit of Bologna, Bologna, Italy; Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), St. Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - Aurelia Santoro
- Department of Medical and Surgical Science, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy; Alma Mater Research Institute on Global Challenges and Climate Change (Alma Climate), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Federica Longo
- Department of Medical and Surgical Science, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Stefano Salvioli
- Department of Medical and Surgical Science, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy; IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Patrick Lau
- Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany
| | - Ralf Moeller
- Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany
| | - Jens Jordan
- Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany; Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Thomas Illig
- Department of Human Genetics, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Maria-Moreno Villanueva
- Human Performance Research Centre, Department of Sport Science, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Markus Gruber
- Human Performance Research Centre, Department of Sport Science, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Alexander Bürkle
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Claudio Franceschi
- Department of Applied Mathematics of the Institute of ITMM, National Research Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, the Russian Federation
| | - Jörn Rittweger
- Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany; Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
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16
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Blottner D, Moriggi M, Trautmann G, Hastermann M, Capitanio D, Torretta E, Block K, Rittweger J, Limper U, Gelfi C, Salanova M. Space Omics and Tissue Response in Astronaut Skeletal Muscle after Short and Long Duration Missions. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24044095. [PMID: 36835504 PMCID: PMC9962627 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24044095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The molecular mechanisms of skeletal muscle adaptation to spaceflight are as yet not fully investigated and well understood. The MUSCLE BIOPSY study analyzed pre and postflight deep calf muscle biopsies (m. soleus) obtained from five male International Space Station (ISS) astronauts. Moderate rates of myofiber atrophy were found in long-duration mission (LDM) astronauts (~180 days in space) performing routine inflight exercise as countermeasure (CM) compared to a short-duration mission (SDM) astronaut (11 days in space, little or no inflight CM) for reference control. Conventional H&E scout histology showed enlarged intramuscular connective tissue gaps between myofiber groups in LDM post vs. preflight. Immunoexpression signals of extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules, collagen 4 and 6, COL4 and 6, and perlecan were reduced while matrix-metalloproteinase, MMP2, biomarker remained unchanged in LDM post vs. preflight suggesting connective tissue remodeling. Large scale proteomics (space omics) identified two canonical protein pathways associated to muscle weakness (necroptosis, GP6 signaling/COL6) in SDM and four key pathways (Fatty acid β-oxidation, integrin-linked kinase ILK, Rho A GTPase RHO, dilated cardiomyopathy signaling) explicitly in LDM. The levels of structural ECM organization proteins COL6A1/A3, fibrillin 1, FBN1, and lumican, LUM, increased in postflight SDM vs. LDM. Proteins from tricarboxylic acid, TCA cycle, mitochondrial respiratory chain, and lipid metabolism mostly recovered in LDM vs. SDM. High levels of calcium signaling proteins, ryanodine receptor 1, RyR1, calsequestrin 1/2, CASQ1/2, annexin A2, ANXA2, and sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA1) pump, ATP2A, were signatures of SDM, and decreased levels of oxidative stress peroxiredoxin 1, PRDX1, thioredoxin-dependent peroxide reductase, PRDX3, or superoxide dismutase [Mn] 2, SOD2, signatures of LDM postflight. Results help to better understand the spatiotemporal molecular adaptation of skeletal muscle and provide a large scale database of skeletal muscle from human spaceflight for the better design of effective CM protocols in future human deep space exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dieter Blottner
- Institute of Integrative Neuroanatomy, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, 10115 Berlin, Germany
- NeuroMuscular System & Signaling Group, Center of Space Medicine and Extreme Environments, 10115 Berlin, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-30-450-528-347
| | - Manuela Moriggi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Gabor Trautmann
- Institute of Integrative Neuroanatomy, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Maria Hastermann
- Institute of Integrative Neuroanatomy, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, 10115 Berlin, Germany
- NeuroMuscular System & Signaling Group, Center of Space Medicine and Extreme Environments, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Daniele Capitanio
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | | | - Katharina Block
- Institute of Integrative Neuroanatomy, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Joern Rittweger
- Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), 51147 Cologne, Germany
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescence Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Ulrich Limper
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Merheim Medical Center, Witten/Herdecke University, 51109 Cologne, Germany
| | - Cecilia Gelfi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
- IRCCS Orthopedic Institute Galeazzi, 20161 Milan, Italy
| | - Michele Salanova
- Institute of Integrative Neuroanatomy, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, 10115 Berlin, Germany
- NeuroMuscular System & Signaling Group, Center of Space Medicine and Extreme Environments, 10115 Berlin, Germany
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17
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Rüger M, Seitz AM, Nuss K, von Rechenberg B, Seitz D, Kostmann C, Quadbeck P, Andersen O, Collins C. A Bioinspired Orthopedic Biomaterial with Tunable Mechanical Properties Based on Sintered Titanium Fibers. Adv Healthc Mater 2023; 12:e2202106. [PMID: 36250334 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202202106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Inadequate mechanical compliance of orthopedic implants can result in excessive strain of the bone interface, and ultimately, aseptic loosening. It is hypothesized that a fiber-based biometal with adjustable anisotropic mechanical properties can reduce interface strain, facilitate continuous remodeling, and improve implant survival under complex loads. The biometal is based on strategically layered sintered titanium fibers. Six different topologies are manufactured. Specimens are tested under compression in three orthogonal axes under 3-point bending and torsion until failure. Biocompatibility testing involves murine osteoblasts. Osseointegration is investigated by micro-computed tomography and histomorphometry after implantation in a metaphyseal trepanation model in sheep. The material demonstrates compressive yield strengths of up to 50 MPa and anisotropy correlating closely with fiber layout. Samples with 75% porosity are both stronger and stiffer than those with 85% porosity. The highest bending modulus is found in samples with parallel fiber orientation, while the highest shear modulus is found in cross-ply layouts. Cell metabolism and morphology indicate uncompromised biocompatibility. Implants demonstrate robust circumferential osseointegration in vivo after 8 weeks. The biometal introduced in this study demonstrates anisotropic mechanical properties similar to bone, and excellent osteoconductivity and feasibility as an orthopedic implant material.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Rüger
- Department of Paediatric Orthopedics and Traumatology, University Children´s Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, 8032, Switzerland.,Laboratory for Bone Biomechanics, Institute for Biomechanics, ETH Zurich, Zurich, 8093, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Martin Seitz
- Institute of Orthopedic Research and Biomechanics, Centre of Trauma Research, University Medical Centre, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Katja Nuss
- Musculoskeletal Research Unit, Department of Mechanisms of Disease, Vetsuisse Faculty, Center for Applied Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine (CABMM), University of Zurich, Zurich, 8057, Switzerland
| | - Brigitte von Rechenberg
- Musculoskeletal Research Unit, Department of Mechanisms of Disease, Vetsuisse Faculty, Center for Applied Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine (CABMM), University of Zurich, Zurich, 8057, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Seitz
- Biomed Center Innovation gGmbH, 95447, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Cris Kostmann
- Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials IFAM, Branch Lab Dresden, 01277, Dresden, Germany
| | - Peter Quadbeck
- Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials IFAM, Branch Lab Dresden, 01277, Dresden, Germany
| | - Olaf Andersen
- Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials IFAM, Branch Lab Dresden, 01277, Dresden, Germany
| | - Caitlyn Collins
- Laboratory for Bone Biomechanics, Institute for Biomechanics, ETH Zurich, Zurich, 8093, Switzerland.,Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, 24061, USA
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18
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Krittanawong C, Singh NK, Scheuring RA, Urquieta E, Bershad EM, Macaulay TR, Kaplin S, Dunn C, Kry SF, Russomano T, Shepanek M, Stowe RP, Kirkpatrick AW, Broderick TJ, Sibonga JD, Lee AG, Crucian BE. Human Health during Space Travel: State-of-the-Art Review. Cells 2022; 12:cells12010040. [PMID: 36611835 PMCID: PMC9818606 DOI: 10.3390/cells12010040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The field of human space travel is in the midst of a dramatic revolution. Upcoming missions are looking to push the boundaries of space travel, with plans to travel for longer distances and durations than ever before. Both the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and several commercial space companies (e.g., Blue Origin, SpaceX, Virgin Galactic) have already started the process of preparing for long-distance, long-duration space exploration and currently plan to explore inner solar planets (e.g., Mars) by the 2030s. With the emergence of space tourism, space travel has materialized as a potential new, exciting frontier of business, hospitality, medicine, and technology in the coming years. However, current evidence regarding human health in space is very limited, particularly pertaining to short-term and long-term space travel. This review synthesizes developments across the continuum of space health including prior studies and unpublished data from NASA related to each individual organ system, and medical screening prior to space travel. We categorized the extraterrestrial environment into exogenous (e.g., space radiation and microgravity) and endogenous processes (e.g., alteration of humans' natural circadian rhythm and mental health due to confinement, isolation, immobilization, and lack of social interaction) and their various effects on human health. The aim of this review is to explore the potential health challenges associated with space travel and how they may be overcome in order to enable new paradigms for space health, as well as the use of emerging Artificial Intelligence based (AI) technology to propel future space health research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chayakrit Krittanawong
- Department of Medicine and Center for Space Medicine, Section of Cardiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Translational Research Institute for Space Health, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Correspondence: or (C.K.); (B.E.C.); Tel.: +1-713-798-4951 (C.K.); +1-281-483-0123 (B.E.C.)
| | - Nitin Kumar Singh
- Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA
| | | | - Emmanuel Urquieta
- Translational Research Institute for Space Health, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Emergency Medicine and Center for Space Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Eric M. Bershad
- Department of Neurology, Center for Space Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | | | - Scott Kaplin
- Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Carly Dunn
- Department of Dermatology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Stephen F. Kry
- Department of Radiation Physics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | | | - Marc Shepanek
- Office of the Chief Health and Medical Officer, NASA, Washington, DC 20546, USA
| | | | - Andrew W. Kirkpatrick
- Department of Surgery and Critical Care Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
| | | | - Jean D. Sibonga
- Division of Biomedical Research and Environmental Sciences, NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX 77058, USA
| | - Andrew G. Lee
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Medical Branch School of Medicine, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Blanton Eye Institute, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Texas A and M College of Medicine, College Station, TX 77807, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Departments of Ophthalmology, Neurology, and Neurosurgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Brian E. Crucian
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Johnson Space Center, Human Health and Performance Directorate, Houston, TX 77058, USA
- Correspondence: or (C.K.); (B.E.C.); Tel.: +1-713-798-4951 (C.K.); +1-281-483-0123 (B.E.C.)
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19
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Hardy EJO, Inns TB, Hatt J, Doleman B, Bass JJ, Atherton PJ, Lund JN, Phillips BE. The time course of disuse muscle atrophy of the lower limb in health and disease. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle 2022; 13:2616-2629. [PMID: 36104842 PMCID: PMC9745468 DOI: 10.1002/jcsm.13067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2021] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Short, intermittent episodes of disuse muscle atrophy (DMA) may have negative impact on age related muscle loss. There is evidence of variability in rate of DMA between muscles and over the duration of immobilization. As yet, this is poorly characterized. This review aims to establish and compare the time-course of DMA in immobilized human lower limb muscles in both healthy and critically ill individuals, exploring evidence for an acute phase of DMA and differential rates of atrophy between and muscle groups. MEDLINE, Embase, CINHAL and CENTRAL databases were searched from inception to April 2021 for any study of human lower limb immobilization reporting muscle volume, cross-sectional area (CSA), architecture or lean leg mass over multiple post-immobilization timepoints. Risk of bias was assessed using ROBINS-I. Where possible meta-analysis was performed using a DerSimonian and Laird random effects model with effect sizes reported as mean differences (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) at various time-points and a narrative review when meta-analysis was not possible. Twenty-nine studies were included, 12 in healthy volunteers (total n = 140), 18 in patients on an Intensive Therapy Unit (ITU) (total n = 516) and 3 in patients with ankle fracture (total n = 39). The majority of included studies are at moderate risk of bias. Rate of quadriceps atrophy over the first 14 days was significantly greater in the ITU patients (MD -1.01 95% CI -1.32, -0.69), than healthy cohorts (MD -0.12 95% CI -0.49, 0.24) (P < 0.001). Rates of atrophy appeared to vary between muscle groups (greatest in triceps surae (-11.2% day 28), followed by quadriceps (-9.2% day 28), then hamstrings (-6.5% day 28), then foot dorsiflexors (-3.2% day 28)). Rates of atrophy appear to decrease over time in healthy quadriceps (-6.5% day 14 vs. -9.1% day 28) and triceps surae (-7.8% day 14 vs. -11.2% day 28), and ITU quadriceps (-13.2% day 7 vs. -28.2% day 14). There appears to be variability in the rate of DMA between muscle groups, and more rapid atrophy during the earliest period of immobilization, indicating different mechanisms being dominant at different timepoints. Rates of atrophy are greater amongst critically unwell patients. Overall evidence is limited, and existing data has wide variability in the measures reported. Further work is required to fully characterize the time course of DMA in both health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward J O Hardy
- Department of General Surgery, Royal Derby Hospital, Derby, UK.,Centre Of Metabolism, Ageing and Physiology (COMAP), School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Royal Derby Hospital Centre, Derby, UK
| | - Thomas B Inns
- Centre Of Metabolism, Ageing and Physiology (COMAP), School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Royal Derby Hospital Centre, Derby, UK.,MRC-Versus Arthritis Centre for Musculoskeletal Ageing Research (CMAR) and NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham, UK
| | - Jacob Hatt
- Department of General Surgery, Royal Derby Hospital, Derby, UK.,Centre Of Metabolism, Ageing and Physiology (COMAP), School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Royal Derby Hospital Centre, Derby, UK
| | - Brett Doleman
- Centre Of Metabolism, Ageing and Physiology (COMAP), School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Royal Derby Hospital Centre, Derby, UK.,Department of Anaesthetics, Royal Derby Hospital, Derby, UK
| | - Joseph J Bass
- Centre Of Metabolism, Ageing and Physiology (COMAP), School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Royal Derby Hospital Centre, Derby, UK.,MRC-Versus Arthritis Centre for Musculoskeletal Ageing Research (CMAR) and NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham, UK
| | - Philip J Atherton
- Centre Of Metabolism, Ageing and Physiology (COMAP), School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Royal Derby Hospital Centre, Derby, UK.,MRC-Versus Arthritis Centre for Musculoskeletal Ageing Research (CMAR) and NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham, UK
| | - Jonathan N Lund
- Department of General Surgery, Royal Derby Hospital, Derby, UK.,Centre Of Metabolism, Ageing and Physiology (COMAP), School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Royal Derby Hospital Centre, Derby, UK
| | - Bethan E Phillips
- Centre Of Metabolism, Ageing and Physiology (COMAP), School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Royal Derby Hospital Centre, Derby, UK.,MRC-Versus Arthritis Centre for Musculoskeletal Ageing Research (CMAR) and NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham, UK
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20
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Movement in low gravity environments (MoLo) programme-The MoLo-L.O.O.P. study protocol. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0278051. [PMID: 36417480 PMCID: PMC9683620 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0278051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure to prolonged periods in microgravity is associated with deconditioning of the musculoskeletal system due to chronic changes in mechanical stimulation. Given astronauts will operate on the Lunar surface for extended periods of time, it is critical to quantify both external (e.g., ground reaction forces) and internal (e.g., joint reaction forces) loads of relevant movements performed during Lunar missions. Such knowledge is key to predict musculoskeletal deconditioning and determine appropriate exercise countermeasures associated with extended exposure to hypogravity. OBJECTIVES The aim of this paper is to define an experimental protocol and methodology suitable to estimate in high-fidelity hypogravity conditions the lower limb internal joint reaction forces. State-of-the-art movement kinetics, kinematics, muscle activation and muscle-tendon unit behaviour during locomotor and plyometric movements will be collected and used as inputs (Objective 1), with musculoskeletal modelling and an optimisation framework used to estimate lower limb internal joint loading (Objective 2). METHODS Twenty-six healthy participants will be recruited for this cross-sectional study. Participants will walk, skip and run, at speeds ranging between 0.56-3.6 m/s, and perform plyometric movement trials at each gravity level (1, 0.7, 0.5, 0.38, 0.27 and 0.16g) in a randomized order. Through the collection of state-of-the-art kinetics, kinematics, muscle activation and muscle-tendon behaviour, a musculoskeletal modelling framework will be used to estimate lower limb joint reaction forces via tracking simulations. CONCLUSION The results of this study will provide first estimations of internal musculoskeletal loads associated with human movement performed in a range of hypogravity levels. Thus, our unique data will be a key step towards modelling the musculoskeletal deconditioning associated with long term habitation on the Lunar surface, and thereby aiding the design of Lunar exercise countermeasures and mitigation strategies.
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21
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Marcos-Lorenzo D, Frett T, Gil-Martinez A, Speer M, Swanenburg J, Green DA. Effect of trunk exercise upon lumbar IVD height and vertebral compliance when performed supine with 1 g at the CoM compared to upright in 1 g. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil 2022; 14:177. [PMID: 36207739 PMCID: PMC9540696 DOI: 10.1186/s13102-022-00575-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Background Spinal unloading in microgravity is associated with stature increments, back pain, intervertebral disc (IVD) swelling and impaired spinal kinematics. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of lateral stabilization, trunk rotation and isometric abdominal exercise upon lumbar IVD height, and both passive and active vertebral compliance when performed supine on a short-arm human centrifuge (SAHC)—a candidate microgravity countermeasure—with 1 g at the CoM, compared to that generated with equivalent upright exercise in 1 g. Methods 12 (8 male) healthy subjects (33.8 ± 7 years, 178.4 ± 8.2 cm, 72.1 ± 9.6 kg) gave written informed consent. Subjects performed three sets of upper body trunk exercises either when standing upright (UPRIGHT), or when being spun on the SAHC. Lumbar IVD height and vertebral compliance (active and passive) were evaluated prior to SAHC (PRE SAHC) and following the first SAHC (POST SPIN 1) and second Spin (POST SPIN 2), in addition to before (PRE UPRIGHT), and after upright trunk exercises (POST UPRIGHT). Results No significant effect upon IVD height (L2–S1) when performed UPRIGHT or on the SAHC was observed. Trunk muscle exercise induced significant (p < 0.05) reduction of active thoracic vertebral compliance when performed on the SAHC, but not UPRIGHT. However, no effect was observed in the cervical, lumbar or across the entire vertebral column. On passive or active vertebral compliance. Conclusion This study, the first of its kind demonstrates that trunk exercise were feasible and tolerable. Whilst trunk muscle exercise appears to have minor effect upon IVD height, it may be a candidate approach to mitigate—particularly active—vertebral stability on Earth, and in μg via concurrent SAHC. However, significant variability suggests larger studies including optimization of trunk exercise and SAHC prescription with MRI are warranted. Trial Registration North Rhine ethical committee (Number: 6000223393) and registered on 29/09/2020 in the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00021750).
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Affiliation(s)
- D Marcos-Lorenzo
- School of Medicine of Autonomous, University of Madrid, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - T Frett
- Department of Aerospace Physiology, Institute for Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center E.V. (DLR), 51147, Cologne, Germany
| | - A Gil-Martinez
- Department of Physiotherapy, Centro Superior de Estudios Universitarios La Salle, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28023, Madrid, Spain
| | - M Speer
- Space Medicine Team, European Astronaut Centre, European Space Agency, Linder Höhe, 51147, Cologne, Germany
| | - J Swanenburg
- Integrative Spinal Research ISR, Department of Chiropractic Medicine, Balgrist University Hospital, UZH Space Hub Space Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Lengghalde 5, 8008, Zurich, Switzerland. .,University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - D A Green
- Space Medicine Team, European Astronaut Centre, European Space Agency, Linder Höhe, 51147, Cologne, Germany.,Centre of Human and Applied Physiological Sciences, King's College London, London, SE1 1UL, UK.,KBRwyle GmbH, Albin Köbis Straße 4, 51147, Cologne, Germany
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22
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Camy C, Brioche T, Senni K, Bertaud A, Genovesio C, Lamy E, Fovet T, Chopard A, Pithioux M, Roffino S. Effects of hindlimb unloading and subsequent reloading on the structure and mechanical properties of Achilles tendon-to-bone attachment. FASEB J 2022; 36:e22548. [PMID: 36121701 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202200713r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
While muscle and bone adaptations to deconditioning have been widely described, few studies have focused on the tendon enthesis. Our study examined the effects of mechanical loading on the structure and mechanical properties of the Achilles tendon enthesis. We assessed the fibrocartilage surface area, the organization of collagen, the expression of collagen II, the presence of osteoclasts, and the tensile properties of the mouse enthesis both after 14 days of hindlimb suspension (HU) and after a subsequent 6 days of reloading. Although soleus atrophy was severe after HU, calcified fibrocartilage (CFc) was a little affected. In contrast, we observed a decrease in non-calcified fibrocartilage (UFc) surface area, collagen fiber disorganization, modification of morphological characteristics of the fibrocartilage cells, and altered collagen II distribution. Compared to the control group, restoring normal loads increased both UFc surface area and expression of collagen II, and led to a crimp pattern in collagen. Reloading induced an increase in CFc surface area, probably due to the mineralization front advancing toward the tendon. Functionally, unloading resulted in decreased enthesis stiffness and a shift in site of failure from the osteochondral interface to the bone, whereas 6 days of reloading restored the original elastic properties and site of failure. In the context of spaceflight, our results suggest that care must be taken when performing countermeasure exercises both during missions and during the return to Earth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Camy
- Aix Marseille University, CNRS, ISM, Institute of Movement Sciences, Marseille, France
| | - Thomas Brioche
- DMEM, Montpellier University, INRAE, UMR 866, Montpellier, France
| | - Karim Senni
- Laboratoire EBInnov, Ecole de Biologie Industrielle-EBI, Cergy, France
| | - Alexandrine Bertaud
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, INRAE, C2VN, Marseille, France.,Laboratoire de Biochimie, Faculté de Pharmacie, Marseille, France
| | - Cécile Genovesio
- Laboratoire de Biochimie, Faculté de Pharmacie, Marseille, France
| | - Edouard Lamy
- Aix Marseille University, CNRS, ISM, Institute of Movement Sciences, Marseille, France.,Laboratoire de Biochimie, Faculté de Pharmacie, Marseille, France
| | - Théo Fovet
- DMEM, Montpellier University, INRAE, UMR 866, Montpellier, France
| | - Angèle Chopard
- DMEM, Montpellier University, INRAE, UMR 866, Montpellier, France
| | - Martine Pithioux
- Aix Marseille University, CNRS, ISM, Institute of Movement Sciences, Marseille, France.,Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Aix Marseille Univ, APHM, CNRS, ISM, Sainte-Marguerite Hospital, Institute for Locomotion, Marseille, France.,Aix Marseille Univ, APHM, CNRS, Centrale Marseille, ISM, Mecabio Platform, Anatomy Laboratory, Timone, Marseille, France
| | - Sandrine Roffino
- Aix Marseille University, CNRS, ISM, Institute of Movement Sciences, Marseille, France.,Aix Marseille Univ, APHM, CNRS, Centrale Marseille, ISM, Mecabio Platform, Anatomy Laboratory, Timone, Marseille, France
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23
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Frett T, Lecheler L, Speer M, Marcos D, Pesta D, Tegtbur U, Schmitz MT, Jordan J, Green DA. Comparison of trunk muscle exercises in supine position during short arm centrifugation with 1 g at centre of mass and upright in 1 g. Front Physiol 2022; 13:955312. [PMID: 36060705 PMCID: PMC9428406 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.955312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Spaceflight is associated with reduced antigravitational muscle activity, which results in trunk muscle atrophy and may contribute to post-flight postural and spinal instability. Exercise in artificial gravity (AG) performed via short-arm human centrifugation (SAHC) is a promising multi-organ countermeasure, especially to mitigate microgravity-induced postural muscle atrophy. Here, we compared trunk muscular activity (mm. rectus abdominis, ext. obliques and multifidi), cardiovascular response and tolerability of trunk muscle exercises performed during centrifugation with 1 g at individual center of mass on a SAHC against standard upright exercising. We recorded heart rate, blood pressure, surface trunk muscle activity, motion sickness and rating of perceived exertion (BORG) of 12 participants (8 male/4 female, 34 ± 7 years, 178.4 ± 8.2 cm, 72.1 ± 9.6 kg). Heart rate was significantly increased (p < 0.001) during exercises without differences in conditions. Systolic blood pressure was higher (p < 0.001) during centrifugation with a delayed rise during exercises in upright condition. Diastolic blood pressure was lower in upright (p = 0.018) compared to counter-clockwise but not to clockwise centrifugation. Target muscle activation were comparable between conditions, although activity of multifidi was lower (clockwise: p = 0.003, counter-clockwise: p < 0.001) and rectus abdominis were higher (clockwise: p = 0.0023, counter-clockwise: < 0.001) during centrifugation in one exercise type. No sessions were terminated, BORG scoring reflected a relevant training intensity and no significant increase in motion sickness was reported during centrifugation. Thus, exercising trunk muscles during centrifugation generates comparable targeted muscular and heart rate response and appears to be well tolerated. Differences in blood pressure were relatively minor and not indicative of haemodynamic challenge. SAHC-based muscle training is a candidate to reduce microgravity-induced inter-vertebral disc pathology and trunk muscle atrophy. However, further optimization is required prior to performance of a training study for individuals with trunk muscle atrophy/dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timo Frett
- German Aerospace Center, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Cologne, Germany
- *Correspondence: Timo Frett,
| | - Leopold Lecheler
- German Aerospace Center, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Cologne, Germany
| | | | | | - Dominik Pesta
- German Aerospace Center, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Cologne, Germany
- Center for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Preventive Medicine (CEDP), University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), Cologne, Germany
| | - Uwe Tegtbur
- Hannover Medical School, Institutes of Sports Medicine, Hannover, Germany
| | - Marie-Therese Schmitz
- German Aerospace Center, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Cologne, Germany
- Informatics and Epidemiology, Institute of Medical Biometry, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Jens Jordan
- German Aerospace Center, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Cologne, Germany
- Chair of Aerospace Medicine, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - David Andrew Green
- European Space Agency, Cologne, Germany
- King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- Space Medicine Team, European Astronaut Centre, European Space Agency, Cologne, Germany
- KBRwyle GmbH, Cologne, Germany
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24
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Tran QD, Tran V, Toh LS, Williams PM, Tran NN, Hessel V. Space Medicines for Space Health. ACS Med Chem Lett 2022; 13:1231-1247. [PMID: 35978686 PMCID: PMC9377000 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.1c00681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Scientists from around the world are studying the effects of microgravity and cosmic radiation via the "off-Earth" International Space Station (ISS) laboratory platform. The ISS has helped scientists make discoveries that go beyond the basic understanding of Earth. Over 300 medical experiments have been performed to date, with the goal of extending the knowledge gained for the benefit of humanity. This paper gives an overview of these numerous space medical findings, critically identifies challenges and gaps, and puts the achievements into perspective toward long-term space traveling and also adding benefits to our home planet. The medical contents are trifold structured, starting with the well-being of space travelers (astronaut health studies), followed by medical formulation research under space conditions, and then concluding with a blueprint for space pharmaceutical manufacturing. The review covers essential elements of our Earth-based pharmaceutical research such as drug discovery, drug and formulation stability, drug-organ interaction, drug disintegration/bioavailability/pharmacokinetics, pathogen virulence, genome mutation, and body's resistance. The information compiles clinical, medicinal, biological, and chemical research as well as fundamentals and practical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quy Don Tran
- School
of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials, University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia
- Andy
Thomas Centre for Space Resources, University
of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia
| | - Vienna Tran
- Adelaide
Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia
| | - Li Shean Toh
- Faculty
of Science, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, United Kingdom
| | - Philip M. Williams
- Faculty
of Science, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, United Kingdom
| | - Nam Nghiep Tran
- School
of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials, University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia
- Andy
Thomas Centre for Space Resources, University
of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, Can Tho University, Can Tho 900000, Vietnam
| | - Volker Hessel
- School
of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials, University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia
- Andy
Thomas Centre for Space Resources, University
of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia
- School of
Engineering, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
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25
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Arshad I, Ferrè ER. Express: Cognition in Zero Gravity: Effects of Non-Terrestrial Gravity on Human Behaviour. Q J Exp Psychol (Hove) 2022; 76:979-994. [PMID: 35786100 PMCID: PMC10119906 DOI: 10.1177/17470218221113935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
As humanity prepares for deep space exploration, understanding the impact of spaceflight on bodily physiology is critical. While the effects of non-terrestrial gravity on the body are well established, little is known about its impact on human behaviour and cognition. Astronauts often describe dramatic alterations in sensorimotor functioning, including orientation, postural control and balance. Changes in cognitive functioning as well as in socio-affective processing have also been observed. Here we have reviewed the key literature and explored the impact of non-terrestrial gravity across three key functional domains: sensorimotor, cognition, and socio-affective processing. We have proposed a neuroanatomical model to account for the effects of non-terrestrial gravity in these domains. Understanding the impact of non-terrestrial gravity on human behaviour has never been more timely and it will help mitigate against risks in both commercial and non-commercial spaceflight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iqra Arshad
- Department of Psychology, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, UK 3162
| | - Elisa Raffaella Ferrè
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Birkbeck University of London, London, UK 3162
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Detection of Target Genes for Drug Repurposing to Treat Skeletal Muscle Atrophy in Mice Flown in Spaceflight. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13030473. [PMID: 35328027 PMCID: PMC8953707 DOI: 10.3390/genes13030473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2022] [Revised: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Skeletal muscle atrophy is a common condition in aging, diabetes, and in long duration spaceflights due to microgravity. This article investigates multi-modal gene disease and disease drug networks via link prediction algorithms to select drugs for repurposing to treat skeletal muscle atrophy. Key target genes that cause muscle atrophy in the left and right extensor digitorum longus muscle tissue, gastrocnemius, quadriceps, and the left and right soleus muscles are detected using graph theoretic network analysis, by mining the transcriptomic datasets collected from mice flown in spaceflight made available by GeneLab. We identified the top muscle atrophy gene regulators by the Pearson correlation and Bayesian Markov blanket method. The gene disease knowledge graph was constructed using the scalable precision medicine knowledge engine. We computed node embeddings, random walk measures from the networks. Graph convolutional networks, graph neural networks, random forest, and gradient boosting methods were trained using the embeddings, network features for predicting links and ranking top gene-disease associations for skeletal muscle atrophy. Drugs were selected and a disease drug knowledge graph was constructed. Link prediction methods were applied to the disease drug networks to identify top ranked drugs for therapeutic treatment of skeletal muscle atrophy. The graph convolution network performs best in link prediction based on receiver operating characteristic curves and prediction accuracies. The key genes involved in skeletal muscle atrophy are associated with metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases. The drugs selected for repurposing using the graph convolution network method were nutrients, corticosteroids, anti-inflammatory medications, and others related to insulin.
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27
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Dissociation of Bone Resorption and Formation in Spaceflight and Simulated Microgravity: Potential Role of Myokines and Osteokines? Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10020342. [PMID: 35203551 PMCID: PMC8961781 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10020342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The dissociation of bone formation and resorption is an important physiological process during spaceflight. It also occurs during local skeletal unloading or immobilization, such as in people with neuromuscular disorders or those who are on bed rest. Under these conditions, the physiological systems of the human body are perturbed down to the cellular level. Through the absence of mechanical stimuli, the musculoskeletal system and, predominantly, the postural skeletal muscles are largely affected. Despite in-flight exercise countermeasures, muscle wasting and bone loss occur, which are associated with spaceflight duration. Nevertheless, countermeasures can be effective, especially by preventing muscle wasting to rescue both postural and dynamic as well as muscle performance. Thus far, it is largely unknown how changes in bone microarchitecture evolve over the long term in the absence of a gravity vector and whether bone loss incurred in space or following the return to the Earth fully recovers or partly persists. In this review, we highlight the different mechanisms and factors that regulate the humoral crosstalk between the muscle and the bone. Further we focus on the interplay between currently known myokines and osteokines and their mutual regulation.
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28
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Numerical characterization of astronaut CaOx renal stone incidence rates to quantify in-flight and post-flight relative risk. NPJ Microgravity 2022; 8:2. [PMID: 35091560 PMCID: PMC8799707 DOI: 10.1038/s41526-021-00187-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Changes in urine chemistry potentially alter the risk of renal stone formation in astronauts. Quantifying spaceflight renal stone incidence risk compared to pre-flight levels remains a significant challenge for assessing the appropriate vehicle, mission, and countermeasure design. A computational biochemistry model representing CaOx crystal precipitation, growth, and agglomeration is combined with a probabilistic analysis to predict the in- and post-flight CaOx renal stone incidence risk ratio (IRR) relative to pre-flight values using 1517 astronaut 24-h urine chemistries. Our simulations predict that in-flight fluid intake alone would need to increase from current prescriptions of 2.0–2.5 L/day to ~3.2 L/day to approach the CaOx IRR of the pre-flight population. Bone protective interventions would reduce CaOx risk to pre-flight levels if Ca excretion alone is reduced to <150 mg/day or if current levels are diminished to 190 mg/day in combination with increasing fluid intake to 2.5–2.7 L/day. This analysis provides a quantitative risk assessment that can influence the critical balance between engineering and astronaut health requirements.
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29
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Tang H, Rising HH, Majji M, Brown RD. Long-Term Space Nutrition: A Scoping Review. Nutrients 2021; 14:nu14010194. [PMID: 35011072 PMCID: PMC8747021 DOI: 10.3390/nu14010194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
This scoping review aimed to identify current evidence and gaps in the field of long-term space nutrition. Specifically, the review targeted critical nutritional needs during long-term manned missions in outer space in addition to the essential components of a sustainable space nutrition system for meeting these needs. The search phrase "space food and the survival of astronauts in long-term missions" was used to collect the initial 5432 articles from seven Chinese and seven English databases. From these articles, two independent reviewers screened titles and abstracts to identify 218 articles for full-text reviews based on three themes and 18 keyword combinations as eligibility criteria. The results suggest that it is possible to address short-term adverse environmental factors and nutritional deficiencies by adopting effective dietary measures, selecting the right types of foods and supplements, and engaging in specific sustainable food production and eating practices. However, to support self-sufficiency during long-term space exploration, the most optimal and sustainable space nutrition systems are likely to be supported primarily by fresh food production, natural unprocessed foods as diets, nutrient recycling of food scraps and cultivation systems, and the establishment of closed-loop biospheres or landscape-based space habitats as long-term life support systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Tang
- College of Landscape and Tourism, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China;
| | - Hope Hui Rising
- Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA;
- Correspondence:
| | - Manoranjan Majji
- Department of Aerospace Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA;
| | - Robert D. Brown
- Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA;
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30
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Krivonosov YS, Gulimova VI, Buzmakov AV, Zolotov DA, Cedola A, Bukreeva I, Asadchikov VE, Saveliev SV. Micro-CT Study of Mongolian Gerbil Humeral Bone After Prolonged Spaceflight Based on a New Algorithm for Delimitation of Long-Bone Regions. Front Physiol 2021; 12:752893. [PMID: 34950047 PMCID: PMC8688953 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.752893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The Mongolian gerbil displays unique physiological and anatomical features that make this species an attractive object for biological experiments in space. However, until recently, the Mongolian gerbil has remained a novel, mostly unstudied animal model in investigating bone loss in weightlessness (G0). After 12 days of orbital Foton-M3 mission, the humerus of Mongolian gerbils has been studied here via micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) to quantify bone morphometric parameters. The samples from the flight group, delayed synchronous ground-control group, and basal control group were investigated, and main morphometric parameters were reported in the article. The accurate selection of a region of interest is an essential step for a correct assessment of bone parameters. We proposed a new, easy and efficient method for delimiting the bone’s basic regions in the humerus. It is based on quantitative estimation of X-ray attenuation in the cortical bone as a function of humerus bone length. The micro-CT analysis of the basic bone regions revealed a difference in bone morphometric parameters between the flight and control gerbils. The most significant bone loss was observed in the cortical part of the proximal humeral zone in the flight group. No statistically significant changes of volume fraction in the cancellous tissue of proximal and distal epiphyses and metaphyses were observed. A statistically significant increase in both cancellous bone volume and bone X-ray attenuation in the flight group was detected in the proximal part of the diaphyses. We assume that enhanced calcium deposition in the diaphyseal cancellous tissue occurred due to a bone response to G0 conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuri S Krivonosov
- Laboratory of X-ray Reflectometry and SAXS, Federal Scientific Research Centre "Crystallography and Photonics" of Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Victoria I Gulimova
- Laboratory of Nervous System Development, Federal State Budgetary Institution "A. P. Avtsyn Research Institute of Human Morphology", Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexey V Buzmakov
- Laboratory of X-ray Reflectometry and SAXS, Federal Scientific Research Centre "Crystallography and Photonics" of Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Denis A Zolotov
- Laboratory of X-ray Reflectometry and SAXS, Federal Scientific Research Centre "Crystallography and Photonics" of Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Alessia Cedola
- Institute of Nanotechnology, CNR, Rome Unit, Rome, Italy
| | - Inna Bukreeva
- Institute of Nanotechnology, CNR, Rome Unit, Rome, Italy.,X-ray Optics Laboratory, P. N. Lebedev Physical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Victor E Asadchikov
- Laboratory of X-ray Reflectometry and SAXS, Federal Scientific Research Centre "Crystallography and Photonics" of Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Sergey V Saveliev
- Laboratory of Nervous System Development, Federal State Budgetary Institution "A. P. Avtsyn Research Institute of Human Morphology", Moscow, Russia
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31
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Genetic variability affects the skeletal response to immobilization in founder strains of the diversity outbred mouse population. Bone Rep 2021; 15:101140. [PMID: 34761080 PMCID: PMC8566767 DOI: 10.1016/j.bonr.2021.101140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mechanical unloading decreases bone volume and strength. In humans and mice, bone mineral density is highly heritable, and in mice the response to changes in loading varies with genetic background. Thus, genetic variability may affect the response of bone to unloading. As a first step to identify genes involved in bones' response to unloading, we evaluated the effects of unloading in eight inbred mouse strains: C57BL/6J, PWK/PhJ, WSB/EiJ, A/J, 129S1/SvImJ, NOD/ShiLtJ, NZO/HlLtJ, and CAST/EiJ. C57BL/6J and NOD/ShiLtJ mice had the greatest unloading-induced loss of diaphyseal cortical bone volume and strength. NZO/HlLtJ mice had the greatest metaphyseal trabecular bone loss, and C57BL/6J, WSB/EiJ, NOD/ShiLtJ, and CAST/EiJ mice had the greatest epiphyseal trabecular bone loss. Bone loss in the epiphyses displayed the highest heritability. With immobilization, mineral:matrix was reduced, and carbonate:phosphate and crystallinity were increased. A/J mice displayed the greatest unloading-induced loss of mineral:matrix. Changes in gene expression in response to unloading were greatest in NOD/ShiLtJ and CAST/EiJ mice. The most upregulated genes in response to unloading were associated with increased collagen synthesis and extracellular matrix formation. Our results demonstrate a strong differential response to unloading as a function of strain. Diversity outbred (DO) mice are a high-resolution mapping population derived from these eight inbred founder strains. These results suggest DO mice will be highly suited for examining the genetic basis of the skeletal response to unloading. Mouse strain affects bone's response to immobilization. Magnitude of bone loss from immobilization is heritable. Bone transcriptomic response to immobilization is influenced by genetic variation.
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Kim HN, Richardson KK, Krager KJ, Ling W, Simmons P, Allen AR, Aykin-Burns N. Simulated Galactic Cosmic Rays Modify Mitochondrial Metabolism in Osteoclasts, Increase Osteoclastogenesis and Cause Trabecular Bone Loss in Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:11711. [PMID: 34769141 PMCID: PMC8583929 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Space is a high-stress environment. One major risk factor for the astronauts when they leave the Earth's magnetic field is exposure to ionizing radiation from galactic cosmic rays (GCR). Several adverse changes occur in mammalian anatomy and physiology in space, including bone loss. In this study, we assessed the effects of simplified GCR exposure on skeletal health in vivo. Three months following exposure to 0.5 Gy total body simulated GCR, blood, bone marrow and tissue were collected from 9 months old male mice. The key findings from our cell and tissue analysis are (1) GCR induced femoral trabecular bone loss in adult mice but had no effect on spinal trabecular bone. (2) GCR increased circulating osteoclast differentiation markers and osteoclast formation but did not alter new bone formation or osteoblast differentiation. (3) Steady-state levels of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial and non-mitochondrial respiration were increased without any changes in mitochondrial mass in pre-osteoclasts after GCR exposure. (4) Alterations in substrate utilization following GCR exposure in pre-osteoclasts suggested a metabolic rewiring of mitochondria. Taken together, targeting radiation-mediated mitochondrial metabolic reprogramming of osteoclasts could be speculated as a viable therapeutic strategy for space travel induced bone loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ha-Neui Kim
- Center for Musculoskeletal Disease Research and Center for Osteoporosis and Metabolic Bone Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W. Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA; (K.K.R.); (W.L.)
| | - Kimberly K. Richardson
- Center for Musculoskeletal Disease Research and Center for Osteoporosis and Metabolic Bone Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W. Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA; (K.K.R.); (W.L.)
| | - Kimberly J. Krager
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Radiation Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W. Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA; (K.J.K.); (P.S.); (A.R.A.)
| | - Wen Ling
- Center for Musculoskeletal Disease Research and Center for Osteoporosis and Metabolic Bone Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W. Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA; (K.K.R.); (W.L.)
| | - Pilar Simmons
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Radiation Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W. Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA; (K.J.K.); (P.S.); (A.R.A.)
| | - Antino R. Allen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Radiation Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W. Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA; (K.J.K.); (P.S.); (A.R.A.)
| | - Nukhet Aykin-Burns
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Radiation Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W. Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA; (K.J.K.); (P.S.); (A.R.A.)
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33
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Choukér A, Ngo-Anh TJ, Biesbroek R, Heldmaier G, Heppener M, Bereiter-Hahn J. European space agency's hibernation (torpor) strategy for deep space missions: Linking biology to engineering. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 131:618-626. [PMID: 34606822 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.09.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Revised: 07/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Long-duration space missions to Mars will impose extreme stresses of physical and psychological nature on the crew, as well as significant logistical and technical challenges for life support and transportation. Main challenges include optimising overall mass and maintaining crew physical and mental health. These key scopes have been taken up as the baseline for a study by the European Space Agency (ESA) using its Concurrent Design Facility (CDF). It focussed on the biology of hibernation in reducing metabolism and hence stress, and its links to the infrastructure and life support. We concluded that torpor of crew members can reduce the payload with respect to oxygen, food and water but will require monitoring and artificial intelligence (AI) assisted monitoring of the crew. These studies additionally offer new potential applications for patient care on Earth. Keywords: Space flight, concurrent design facility, metabolic reduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Choukér
- Laboratory of Translational Research "Stress and Immunity", Department of Anesthesiology, Hospital of the Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Thu Jennifer Ngo-Anh
- Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration Programmes, European Space Agency, P.O. Box 299, 2200 AG, Noordwijk, the Netherlands
| | - Robin Biesbroek
- Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality, European Space Agency, P.O. Box 299, 2200 AG, Noordwijk, the Netherlands
| | - Gerhard Heldmaier
- Animal Physiology, Department of Biology, Marburg University, Karl-von-Frisch-Strasse 8, 35043, Marburg, Germany
| | - Marc Heppener
- (c)/o Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration Programmes, European Space Agency, P.O. Box 299, 2200 AG, Noordwijk, the Netherlands
| | - Jürgen Bereiter-Hahn
- Institute for Cell Biology and Neurosciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Lauestr. 19, D 6438, Frankfurt Am Main, Germany.
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34
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Boulanger N, Buisseret F, Dehouck V, Dierick F, White O. Motor strategies and adiabatic invariants: The case of rhythmic motion in parabolic flights. Phys Rev E 2021; 104:024403. [PMID: 34525553 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.104.024403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The role of gravity in human motor control is at the same time obvious and difficult to isolate. It can be assessed by performing experiments in variable gravity. We propose that adiabatic invariant theory may be used to reveal nearly conserved quantities in human voluntary rhythmic motion, an individual being seen as a complex time-dependent dynamical system with bounded motion in phase space. We study an explicit realization of our proposal: An experiment in which we asked participants to perform ∞- shaped motion of their right arm during a parabolic flight, either at self-selected pace or at a metronome's given pace. Gravity varied between 0 and 1.8 g during a parabola. We compute the adiabatic invariants in the participant's frontal plane assuming a separable dynamics. It appears that the adiabatic invariant in vertical direction increases linearly with g, in agreement with our model. Differences between the free and metronome-driven conditions show that participants' adaptation to variable gravity is maximal without constraint. Furthermore, motion in the participant's transverse plane induces trajectories that may be linked to higher-derivative dynamics. Our results show that adiabatic invariants are relevant quantities to show the changes in motor strategy in time-dependent environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Boulanger
- Service de Physique de l'Univers, Champs et Gravitation, Université de Mons, UMONS Research Institute for Complex Systems, Place du Parc 20, 7000 Mons, Belgium
| | - F Buisseret
- CeREF, Chaussée de Binche 159, 7000 Mons, Belgium.,Service de Physique Nucléaire et Subnucléaire, Université de Mons, UMONS Research Institute for Complex Systems, 20 Place du Parc, 7000 Mons, Belgium
| | - V Dehouck
- Service de Physique de l'Univers, Champs et Gravitation, Université de Mons, UMONS Research Institute for Complex Systems, Place du Parc 20, 7000 Mons, Belgium.,Université de Bourgogne INSERM-U1093 Cognition, Action, and Sensorimotor Plasticity, Campus Universitaire, BP 27877, 21078 Dijon, France
| | - F Dierick
- CeREF, Chaussée de Binche 159, 7000 Mons, Belgium.,Faculté des Sciences de la Motricité, Université catholique de Louvain, 1 Place Pierre de Coubertin, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.,Centre National de Rééducation Fonctionnelle et de Réadaptation-Rehazenter, Laboratoire d'Analyse du Mouvement et de la Posture (LAMP), Luxembourg, Grand-Duché de Luxembourg
| | - O White
- Université de Bourgogne INSERM-U1093 Cognition, Action, and Sensorimotor Plasticity, Campus Universitaire, BP 27877, 21078 Dijon, France
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35
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What can biofabrication do for space and what can space do for biofabrication? Trends Biotechnol 2021; 40:398-411. [PMID: 34544616 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2021.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Biofabrication in space is one of the novel promising and prospective research directions in the rapidly emerging field of space STEM. There are several advantages of biofabrication in space. Under microgravity, it is possible to engineer constructs using more fluidic channels and thus more biocompatible bioinks. Microgravity enables biofabrication of tissue and organ constructs of more complex geometries, thus facilitating novel scaffold-, label-, and nozzle-free technologies based on multi-levitation principles. However, when exposed to microgravity and cosmic radiation, biofabricated tissues could be used to study pathophysiological phenomena that will be useful on Earth and for deep space manned missions. Here, we provide leading concepts about the potential mutual benefits of the application of biofabrication technologies in space.
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36
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Cahill T, Cope H, Bass JJ, Overbey EG, Gilbert R, da Silveira WA, Paul AM, Mishra T, Herranz R, Reinsch SS, Costes SV, Hardiman G, Szewczyk NJ, Tahimic CGT. Mammalian and Invertebrate Models as Complementary Tools for Gaining Mechanistic Insight on Muscle Responses to Spaceflight. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22179470. [PMID: 34502375 PMCID: PMC8430797 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 08/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Bioinformatics approaches have proven useful in understanding biological responses to spaceflight. Spaceflight experiments remain resource intensive and rare. One outstanding issue is how to maximize scientific output from a limited number of omics datasets from traditional animal models including nematodes, fruitfly, and rodents. The utility of omics data from invertebrate models in anticipating mammalian responses to spaceflight has not been fully explored. Hence, we performed comparative analyses of transcriptomes of soleus and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) in mice that underwent 37 days of spaceflight. Results indicate shared stress responses and altered circadian rhythm. EDL showed more robust growth signals and Pde2a downregulation, possibly underlying its resistance to atrophy versus soleus. Spaceflight and hindlimb unloading mice shared differential regulation of proliferation, circadian, and neuronal signaling. Shared gene regulation in muscles of humans on bedrest and space flown rodents suggest targets for mitigating muscle atrophy in space and on Earth. Spaceflight responses of C. elegans were more similar to EDL. Discrete life stages of D. melanogaster have distinct utility in anticipating EDL and soleus responses. In summary, spaceflight leads to shared and discrete molecular responses between muscle types and invertebrate models may augment mechanistic knowledge gained from rodent spaceflight and ground-based studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Cahill
- School of Biological Sciences & Institute for Global Food Security, Queens University Belfast, Belfast BT9 5DL, UK; (T.C.); (W.A.d.S.); (G.H.)
| | - Henry Cope
- Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), School of Computer Science, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2QL, UK;
| | - Joseph J. Bass
- MRC-Versus Arthritis Centre for Musculoskeletal Ageing Research and National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2QL, UK; (J.J.B.); (N.J.S.)
| | - Eliah G. Overbey
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA;
| | - Rachel Gilbert
- NASA Ames Research Center, Space Biosciences Division, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA; (R.G.); (A.M.P.); (S.S.R.); (S.V.C.)
- Universities Space Research Association, Columbia, MD 21046, USA
| | - Willian Abraham da Silveira
- School of Biological Sciences & Institute for Global Food Security, Queens University Belfast, Belfast BT9 5DL, UK; (T.C.); (W.A.d.S.); (G.H.)
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Education, Staffordshire University, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 2DF, UK
| | - Amber M. Paul
- NASA Ames Research Center, Space Biosciences Division, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA; (R.G.); (A.M.P.); (S.S.R.); (S.V.C.)
- Department of Human Factors and Behavioral Neurobiology, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL 32114, USA
- Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, Seattle, WA 98104, USA
| | - Tejaswini Mishra
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA 94305, USA;
| | - Raúl Herranz
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas–CSIC, Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Sigrid S. Reinsch
- NASA Ames Research Center, Space Biosciences Division, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA; (R.G.); (A.M.P.); (S.S.R.); (S.V.C.)
| | - Sylvain V. Costes
- NASA Ames Research Center, Space Biosciences Division, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA; (R.G.); (A.M.P.); (S.S.R.); (S.V.C.)
| | - Gary Hardiman
- School of Biological Sciences & Institute for Global Food Security, Queens University Belfast, Belfast BT9 5DL, UK; (T.C.); (W.A.d.S.); (G.H.)
- Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Nathaniel J. Szewczyk
- MRC-Versus Arthritis Centre for Musculoskeletal Ageing Research and National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2QL, UK; (J.J.B.); (N.J.S.)
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701, USA
| | - Candice G. T. Tahimic
- NASA Ames Research Center, Space Biosciences Division, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA; (R.G.); (A.M.P.); (S.S.R.); (S.V.C.)
- Department of Biology, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
- Correspondence:
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Juhl OJ, Buettmann EG, Friedman MA, DeNapoli RC, Hoppock GA, Donahue HJ. Update on the effects of microgravity on the musculoskeletal system. NPJ Microgravity 2021; 7:28. [PMID: 34301942 PMCID: PMC8302614 DOI: 10.1038/s41526-021-00158-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
With the reignited push for manned spaceflight and the development of companies focused on commercializing spaceflight, increased human ventures into space are inevitable. However, this venture would not be without risk. The lower gravitational force, known as microgravity, that would be experienced during spaceflight significantly disrupts many physiological systems. One of the most notably affected systems is the musculoskeletal system, where exposure to microgravity causes both bone and skeletal muscle loss, both of which have significant clinical implications. In this review, we focus on recent advancements in our understanding of how exposure to microgravity affects the musculoskeletal system. We will focus on the catabolic effects microgravity exposure has on both bone and skeletal muscle cells, as well as their respective progenitor stem cells. Additionally, we report on the mechanisms that underlie bone and muscle tissue loss resulting from exposure to microgravity and then discuss current countermeasures being evaluated. We reveal the gaps in the current knowledge and expound upon how current research is filling these gaps while also identifying new avenues of study as we continue to pursue manned spaceflight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Otto J Juhl
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Evan G Buettmann
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Michael A Friedman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Rachel C DeNapoli
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Gabriel A Hoppock
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Henry J Donahue
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.
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Braddock M. From Target Identification to Drug Development in Space: Using the Microgravity Assist. Curr Drug Discov Technol 2021; 17:45-56. [PMID: 30648510 DOI: 10.2174/1570163816666190112150014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2018] [Revised: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 12/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The unique nature of microgravity encountered in space provides an opportunity for drug discovery and development that cannot be replicated on Earth. From the production of superior protein crystals to the identification and validation of new drug targets to microarray analyses of transcripts attenuated by microgravity, there are numerous examples which demonstrate the benefit of exploiting the space environment. Moreover, studies conducted on Space Shuttle missions, the International Space Station and other craft have had a direct benefit for drug development programmes such as those directed against reducing bone and muscle loss or increasing bone formation. This review will highlight advances made in both drug discovery and development and offer some future insight into how drug discovery and associated technologies may be further advanced using the microgravity assist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Braddock
- Sherwood Observatory, Mansfield and Sutton Astronomical Society, Coxmoor Road, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, NG17 5LF, United Kingdom
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Bemben DA, Baker BS, Buchanan SR, Ade CJ. Circulating MiR-21 expression is upregulated after 30 days of head-down tilt bed rest. Osteoporos Int 2021; 32:1369-1378. [PMID: 33432460 DOI: 10.1007/s00198-020-05805-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Relative expression of miR-21-5p in serum was upregulated in response to 30 days of bed rest, and miRNA fold changes were positively associated with serum calcium changes. INTRODUCTION Circulating miRNAs (c-miRNAs) have potential as biomarkers of cellular activity, and they may play a role in cell-to-cell communication. The purpose of this study was to examine c-miRNA and bone marker responses to a 30-day six-degree head-down bed rest protocol at an ambient 0.5% CO2. METHODS Eleven participants (6 males/5 females, 25-50 years) had fasting blood draws taken 3 days before and immediately after completing the 30-day bed rest protocol at the Institute for Aerospace Medicine in Germany. Serum relative expression of miRNAs associated with bone function (miR-21-5p, -100-5p, -125b-5p, -126-3p) were analyzed using qPCR, and serum bone markers were quantitated using ELISA. RESULTS Serum bone markers, sclerostin, and calcium significantly increased (p ≤ 0.036), and total hip aBMD significantly decreased (p = 0.003) post bed rest. Serum miR-21-5p relative expression was significantly upregulated (p = 0.018) post bed rest. Fold changes in miR-126-3p (r = 0.82, p = 0.002) and miR-21-5p (r = 0.62, p = 0.042) were positively correlated with absolute change in serum calcium. There were no sex differences in miRNA responses; women had greater percent increases in TRAP5b (37.3% vs. 16.9% p = 0.021) and greater percent decreases in total hip aBMD (- 2.15% vs. - 0.69%, p = 0.034) than men. CONCLUSION c-miR-21-5p has potential as a biomarker of bone resorption and bone loss in an unloading condition. The upregulation of miR-21-5p may reflect an increase in osteoclast activity after bed rest, which is corroborated by the increase in TRAP5b.
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Affiliation(s)
- D A Bemben
- Department of Health and Exercise Science, University of Oklahoma, 1401 Asp Avenue, Norman, OK, 73019, USA.
| | - B S Baker
- Department of Health and Exercise Science, University of Oklahoma, 1401 Asp Avenue, Norman, OK, 73019, USA
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65212, USA
| | - S R Buchanan
- Department of Health and Exercise Science, University of Oklahoma, 1401 Asp Avenue, Norman, OK, 73019, USA
- Department of Health and Human Performance, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Edinburg, TX, 78539, USA
| | - C J Ade
- Department of Kinesiology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA
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Afshinnekoo E, Scott RT, MacKay MJ, Pariset E, Cekanaviciute E, Barker R, Gilroy S, Hassane D, Smith SM, Zwart SR, Nelman-Gonzalez M, Crucian BE, Ponomarev SA, Orlov OI, Shiba D, Muratani M, Yamamoto M, Richards SE, Vaishampayan PA, Meydan C, Foox J, Myrrhe J, Istasse E, Singh N, Venkateswaran K, Keune JA, Ray HE, Basner M, Miller J, Vitaterna MH, Taylor DM, Wallace D, Rubins K, Bailey SM, Grabham P, Costes SV, Mason CE, Beheshti A. Fundamental Biological Features of Spaceflight: Advancing the Field to Enable Deep-Space Exploration. Cell 2021; 183:1162-1184. [PMID: 33242416 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2020.10.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Revised: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Research on astronaut health and model organisms have revealed six features of spaceflight biology that guide our current understanding of fundamental molecular changes that occur during space travel. The features include oxidative stress, DNA damage, mitochondrial dysregulation, epigenetic changes (including gene regulation), telomere length alterations, and microbiome shifts. Here we review the known hazards of human spaceflight, how spaceflight affects living systems through these six fundamental features, and the associated health risks of space exploration. We also discuss the essential issues related to the health and safety of astronauts involved in future missions, especially planned long-duration and Martian missions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ebrahim Afshinnekoo
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA; The HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA; WorldQuant Initiative for Quantitative Prediction, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Ryan T Scott
- KBR, Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
| | - Matthew J MacKay
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA; The HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA; WorldQuant Initiative for Quantitative Prediction, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Eloise Pariset
- Universities Space Research Association (USRA), Mountain View, CA 94043, USA; Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
| | - Egle Cekanaviciute
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
| | - Richard Barker
- Department of Botany, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Simon Gilroy
- Department of Botany, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | | | - Scott M Smith
- Human Health and Performance Directorate, NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX 77058, USA
| | - Sara R Zwart
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Community Health, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Mayra Nelman-Gonzalez
- KBR, Human Health and Performance Directorate, NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX 77058, USA
| | - Brian E Crucian
- Human Health and Performance Directorate, NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX 77058, USA
| | - Sergey A Ponomarev
- Institute for the Biomedical Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences, 123007 Moscow, Russia
| | - Oleg I Orlov
- Institute for the Biomedical Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences, 123007 Moscow, Russia
| | - Dai Shiba
- JEM Utilization Center, Human Spaceflight Technology Directorate, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Ibaraki 305-8505, Japan
| | - Masafumi Muratani
- Transborder Medical Research Center, and Department of Genome Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
| | - Masayuki Yamamoto
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8575, Japan; Department of Integrative Genomics, Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Tohoku University, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8573, Japan
| | - Stephanie E Richards
- Bionetics, NASA Kennedy Space Center, Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island, FL 32899, USA
| | - Parag A Vaishampayan
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
| | - Cem Meydan
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA; The HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA; WorldQuant Initiative for Quantitative Prediction, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Jonathan Foox
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA; The HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA; WorldQuant Initiative for Quantitative Prediction, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Jacqueline Myrrhe
- European Space Agency, Research and Payloads Group, Data Exploitation and Utilisation Strategy Office, 2200 AG Noordwijk, the Netherlands
| | - Eric Istasse
- European Space Agency, Research and Payloads Group, Data Exploitation and Utilisation Strategy Office, 2200 AG Noordwijk, the Netherlands
| | - Nitin Singh
- Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA
| | - Kasthuri Venkateswaran
- Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA
| | - Jessica A Keune
- Space Medicine Operations Division, NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX 77058, USA
| | - Hami E Ray
- ASRC Federal Space and Defense, Inc., Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
| | - Mathias Basner
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Jack Miller
- KBR, Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA; Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Martha Hotz Vitaterna
- Center for Sleep and Circadian Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA; Department of Neurobiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Deanne M Taylor
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Center for Mitochondrial and Epigenomic Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; The Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Douglas Wallace
- Center for Mitochondrial and Epigenomic Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; The Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Kathleen Rubins
- Astronaut Office, NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX 77058, USA
| | - Susan M Bailey
- Department of Environmental & Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
| | - Peter Grabham
- Center for Radiological Research, Department of Oncology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA.
| | - Sylvain V Costes
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA.
| | - Christopher E Mason
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA; The HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA; WorldQuant Initiative for Quantitative Prediction, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA; The Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, NY 10021, USA.
| | - Afshin Beheshti
- KBR, Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA; Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
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Kwok AT, Mohamed NS, Plate JF, Yammani RR, Rosas S, Bateman TA, Livingston E, Moore JE, Kerr BA, Lee J, Furdui CM, Tan L, Bouxsein ML, Ferguson VL, Stodieck LS, Zawieja DC, Delp MD, Mao XW, Willey JS. Spaceflight and hind limb unloading induces an arthritic phenotype in knee articular cartilage and menisci of rodents. Sci Rep 2021; 11:10469. [PMID: 34006989 PMCID: PMC8131644 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-90010-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Reduced knee weight-bearing from prescription or sedentary lifestyles are associated with cartilage degradation; effects on the meniscus are unclear. Rodents exposed to spaceflight or hind limb unloading (HLU) represent unique opportunities to evaluate this question. This study evaluated arthritic changes in the medial knee compartment that bears the highest loads across the knee after actual and simulated spaceflight, and recovery with subsequent full weight-bearing. Cartilage and meniscal degradation in mice were measured via microCT, histology, and proteomics and/or biochemically after: (1) ~ 35 days on the International Space Station (ISS); (2) 13-days aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis; or (3) 30 days of HLU, followed by a 49-day weight-bearing readaptation with/without exercise. Cartilage degradation post-ISS and HLU occurred at similar spatial locations, the tibial-femoral cartilage-cartilage contact point, with meniscal volume decline. Cartilage and meniscal glycosaminoglycan content were decreased in unloaded mice, with elevated catabolic enzymes (e.g., matrix metalloproteinases), and elevated oxidative stress and catabolic molecular pathway responses in menisci. After the 13-day Shuttle flight, meniscal degradation was observed. During readaptation, recovery of cartilage volume and thickness occurred with exercise. Reduced weight-bearing from either spaceflight or HLU induced an arthritic phenotype in cartilage and menisci, and exercise promoted recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andy T Kwok
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA
| | - Nequesha S Mohamed
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Johannes F Plate
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Raghunatha R Yammani
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.,Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Molecular Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Samuel Rosas
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Ted A Bateman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Eric Livingston
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Joseph E Moore
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA
| | - Bethany A Kerr
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.,Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Jingyun Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Molecular Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.,Proteomics and Metabolomics Shared Resource, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Cristina M Furdui
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Molecular Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.,Proteomics and Metabolomics Shared Resource, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Li Tan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Molecular Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Mary L Bouxsein
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Virginia L Ferguson
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado At Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Louis S Stodieck
- BioServe Space Technologies, Aerospace Engineering Sciences, University of Colorado At Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - David C Zawieja
- Department of Medical Physiology, Texas A&M University Medical School, Bryan, TX, USA
| | - Michael D Delp
- Department of Nutrition, Food and Exercise Sciences, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Xiao W Mao
- Division of Biomedical Engineering Sciences (BMES), Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, USA
| | - Jeffrey S Willey
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA. .,Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.
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Roffino S, Camy C, Foucault-Bertaud A, Lamy E, Pithioux M, Chopard A. Negative impact of disuse and unloading on tendon enthesis structure and function. LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2021; 29:46-52. [PMID: 33888287 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2021.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to chronic skeletal muscle disuse and unloading that astronauts experience results in muscle deconditioning and bone remodeling. Tendons involved in the transmission of force from muscles to skeleton are also affected. Understanding the changes that occur in muscle, tendon, and bone is an essential step toward limiting or preventing the deleterious effects of chronic reduction in mechanical load. Numerous reviews have reported the effects of this reduction on both muscle and bone, and to a lesser extent on the tendon. However, none focused on the tendon enthesis, the tendon-to-bone attachment site. While the enthesis structure appears to be determined by mechanical stress, little is known about enthesis plasticity. Our review first looks at the relationship between entheses and mechanical stress, exploring how tensile and compressive loads determine and influence enthesis structure and composition. The second part of this review addresses the deleterious effects of skeletal muscle disuse and unloading on enthesis structure, composition, and function. We discuss the possibility that spaceflight-induced enthesis remodeling could impact both the capacity of the enthesis to withstand compressive stress and its potential weakness. Finally, we point out how altered compressive strength at entheses could expose astronauts to the risk of developing enthesopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Roffino
- ISM Inst Movement Sci, Aix-Marseille University, CNRS, Marseille, France.
| | - C Camy
- ISM Inst Movement Sci, Aix-Marseille University, CNRS, Marseille, France
| | - A Foucault-Bertaud
- INSERM 1263, INRA 1260, C2VN, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - E Lamy
- ISM Inst Movement Sci, Aix-Marseille University, CNRS, Marseille, France
| | - M Pithioux
- ISM Inst Movement Sci, Aix-Marseille University, CNRS, Marseille, France
| | - A Chopard
- DMEM, Montpellier University, INRAE, Montpellier, France
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The Effect of Space Travel on Bone Metabolism: Considerations on Today's Major Challenges and Advances in Pharmacology. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22094585. [PMID: 33925533 PMCID: PMC8123809 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22094585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Microgravity-induced bone loss is currently a significant and unresolved health risk for space travelers, as it raises the likelihood for irreversible changes that weaken skeletal integrity and the incremental onset of fracture injuries and renal stone formation. Another issue related to bone tissue homeostasis in microgravity is its capacity to regenerate following fractures due to weakening of the tissue and accidental events during the accomplishment of particularly dangerous tasks. Today, several pharmacological and non-pharmacological countermeasures to this problem have been proposed, including physical exercise, diet supplements and administration of antiresorptive or anabolic drugs. However, each class of pharmacological agents presents several limitations as their prolonged and repeated employment is not exempt from the onset of serious side effects, which limit their use within a well-defined range of time. In this review, we will focus on the various countermeasures currently in place or proposed to address bone loss in conditions of microgravity, analyzing in detail the advantages and disadvantages of each option from a pharmacological point of view. Finally, we take stock of the situation in the currently available literature concerning bone loss and fracture healing processes. We try to understand which are the critical points and challenges that need to be addressed to reach innovative and targeted therapies to be used both in space missions and on Earth.
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44
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Costa F, Ambesi-Impiombato FS, Beccari T, Conte C, Cataldi S, Curcio F, Albi E. Spaceflight Induced Disorders: Potential Nutritional Countermeasures. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2021; 9:666683. [PMID: 33968917 PMCID: PMC8096993 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.666683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Space travel is an extreme experience even for the astronaut who has received extensive basic training in various fields, from aeronautics to engineering, from medicine to physics and biology. Microgravity puts a strain on members of space crews, both physically and mentally: short-term or long-term travel in orbit the International Space Station may have serious repercussions on the human body, which may undergo physiological changes affecting almost all organs and systems, particularly at the muscular, cardiovascular and bone compartments. This review aims to highlight recent studies describing damages of human body induced by the space environment for microgravity, and radiation. All novel conditions, to ally unknown to the Darwinian selection strategies on Earth, to which we should add the psychological stress that astronauts suffer due to the inevitable forced cohabitation in claustrophobic environments, the deprivation from their affections and the need to adapt to a new lifestyle with molecular changes due to the confinement. In this context, significant nutritional deficiencies with consequent molecular mechanism changes in the cells that induce to the onset of physiological and cognitive impairment have been considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Costa
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | | | - Tommaso Beccari
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Carmela Conte
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Samuela Cataldi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | | | - Elisabetta Albi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
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Cahill T, da Silveira WA, Renaud L, Williamson T, Wang H, Chung D, Overton I, Chan SSL, Hardiman G. Induced Torpor as a Countermeasure for Low Dose Radiation Exposure in a Zebrafish Model. Cells 2021; 10:906. [PMID: 33920039 PMCID: PMC8071006 DOI: 10.3390/cells10040906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of the Artemis programme with the goal of returning to the moon is spurring technology advances that will eventually take humans to Mars and herald a new era of interplanetary space travel. However, long-term space travel poses unique challenges including exposure to ionising radiation from galactic cosmic rays and potential solar particle events, exposure to microgravity and specific nutritional challenges arising from earth independent exploration. Ionising radiation is one of the major obstacles facing future space travel as it can generate oxidative stress and directly damage cellular structures such as DNA, in turn causing genomic instability, telomere shortening, extracellular-matrix remodelling and persistent inflammation. In the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) this can lead to leaky gut syndrome, perforations and motility issues, which impact GIT functionality and affect nutritional status. While current countermeasures such as shielding from the spacecraft can attenuate harmful biological effects, they produce harmful secondary particles that contribute to radiation exposure. We hypothesised that induction of a torpor-like state would confer a radioprotective effect given the evidence that hibernation extends survival times in irradiated squirrels compared to active controls. To test this hypothesis, a torpor-like state was induced in zebrafish using melatonin treatment and reduced temperature, and radiation exposure was administered twice over the course of 10 days. The protective effects of induced-torpor were assessed via RNA sequencing and qPCR of mRNA extracted from the GIT. Pathway and network analysis were performed on the transcriptomic data to characterise the genomic signatures in radiation, torpor and torpor + radiation groups. Phenotypic analyses revealed that melatonin and reduced temperature successfully induced a torpor-like state in zebrafish as shown by decreased metabolism and activity levels. Genomic analyses indicated that low dose radiation caused DNA damage and oxidative stress triggering a stress response, including steroidal signalling and changes to metabolism, and cell cycle arrest. Torpor attenuated the stress response through an increase in pro-survival signals, reduced oxidative stress via the oxygen effect and detection and removal of misfolded proteins. This proof-of-concept model provides compelling initial evidence for utilizing an induced torpor-like state as a potential countermeasure for radiation exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Cahill
- School of Biological Sciences & Institute for Global Food Security, Queens University Belfast, Belfast BT9 5DL, UK; (T.C.); (W.A.d.S.); (H.W.)
| | - Willian Abraham da Silveira
- School of Biological Sciences & Institute for Global Food Security, Queens University Belfast, Belfast BT9 5DL, UK; (T.C.); (W.A.d.S.); (H.W.)
| | - Ludivine Renaud
- Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA;
| | - Tucker Williamson
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; (T.W.); (S.S.L.C.)
| | - Hao Wang
- School of Biological Sciences & Institute for Global Food Security, Queens University Belfast, Belfast BT9 5DL, UK; (T.C.); (W.A.d.S.); (H.W.)
| | - Dongjun Chung
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA;
| | - Ian Overton
- Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7AE, UK;
| | - Sherine S. L. Chan
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; (T.W.); (S.S.L.C.)
| | - Gary Hardiman
- School of Biological Sciences & Institute for Global Food Security, Queens University Belfast, Belfast BT9 5DL, UK; (T.C.); (W.A.d.S.); (H.W.)
- Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA;
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46
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Boulanger N, Buisseret F, Dehouck V, Dierick F, White O. Adiabatic invariants drive rhythmic human motion in variable gravity. Phys Rev E 2021; 102:062403. [PMID: 33466015 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.102.062403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Voluntary human movements are stereotyped. When modeled in the framework of classical mechanics they are expected to minimize cost functions that may include energy, a natural candidate from a physiological point of view also. In time-changing environments, however, energy is no longer conserved-regardless of frictional energy dissipation-and it is therefore not the preferred candidate for any cost function able to describe the subsequent changes in motor strategies. Adiabatic invariants are known to be relevant observables in such systems, although they still need to be investigated in human motor control. We fill this gap and show that the theory of adiabatic invariants provides an accurate description of how human participants modify a voluntary, rhythmic, one-dimensional motion of the forearm in response to variable gravity (from 1 to 3g). Our findings suggest that adiabatic invariants may reveal generic hidden constraints ruling human motion in time-changing gravity.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Boulanger
- Service de Physique de l'Univers, Champs et Gravitation, Université de Mons, UMONS Research Institute for Complex Systems, Place du Parc 20, 7000 Mons, Belgium
| | - F Buisseret
- CeREF, Chaussée de Binche 159, 7000 Mons, Belgium.,Service de Physique Nucléaire et Subnucléaire, Université de Mons, UMONS Research Institute for Complex Systems, 20 Place du Parc, 7000 Mons, Belgium
| | - V Dehouck
- Service de Physique de l'Univers, Champs et Gravitation, Université de Mons, UMONS Research Institute for Complex Systems, Place du Parc 20, 7000 Mons, Belgium.,Université de Bourgogne INSERM-U1093 Cognition, Action, and Sensorimotor Plasticity, Campus Universitaire, BP 27877, 21078 Dijon, France
| | - F Dierick
- CeREF, Chaussée de Binche 159, 7000 Mons, Belgium.,Faculté des Sciences de la Motricité, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1 Place Pierre de Coubertin, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.,Centre National de Rééducation Fonctionnelle et de Réadaptation - Rehazenter, Laboratoire d'Analyse du Mouvement et de la Posture (LAMP), Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
| | - O White
- Université de Bourgogne INSERM-U1093 Cognition, Action, and Sensorimotor Plasticity, Campus Universitaire, BP 27877, 21078 Dijon, France
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47
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Willey JS, Britten RA, Blaber E, Tahimic CG, Chancellor J, Mortreux M, Sanford LD, Kubik AJ, Delp MD, Mao XW. The individual and combined effects of spaceflight radiation and microgravity on biologic systems and functional outcomes. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND HEALTH. PART C, TOXICOLOGY AND CARCINOGENESIS 2021; 39:129-179. [PMID: 33902391 PMCID: PMC8274610 DOI: 10.1080/26896583.2021.1885283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Both microgravity and radiation exposure in the spaceflight environment have been identified as hazards to astronaut health and performance. Substantial study has been focused on understanding the biology and risks associated with prolonged exposure to microgravity, and the hazards presented by radiation from galactic cosmic rays (GCR) and solar particle events (SPEs) outside of low earth orbit (LEO). To date, the majority of the ground-based analogues (e.g., rodent or cell culture studies) that investigate the biology of and risks associated with spaceflight hazards will focus on an individual hazard in isolation. However, astronauts will face these challenges simultaneously Combined hazard studies are necessary for understanding the risks astronauts face as they travel outside of LEO, and are also critical for countermeasure development. The focus of this review is to describe biologic and functional outcomes from ground-based analogue models for microgravity and radiation, specifically highlighting the combined effects of radiation and reduced weight-bearing from rodent ground-based tail suspension via hind limb unloading (HLU) and partial weight-bearing (PWB) models, although in vitro and spaceflight results are discussed as appropriate. The review focuses on the skeletal, ocular, central nervous system (CNS), cardiovascular, and stem cells responses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Elizabeth Blaber
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
| | | | | | - Marie Mortreux
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
| | - Larry D. Sanford
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Eastern Virginia Medical School
| | - Angela J. Kubik
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
| | - Michael D. Delp
- Department of Nutrition, Food and Exercise Sciences, Florida State University
| | - Xiao Wen Mao
- Division of Biomedical Engineering Sciences (BMES), Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University
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48
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Advantages and Limitations of Current Microgravity Platforms for Space Biology Research. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/app11010068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Human Space exploration has created new challenges and new opportunities for science. Reaching beyond the Earth’s surface has raised the issue of the importance of gravity for the development and the physiology of biological systems, while giving scientists the tools to study the mechanisms of response and adaptation to the microgravity environment. As life has evolved under the constant influence of gravity, gravity affects biological systems at a very fundamental level. Owing to limited access to spaceflight platforms, scientists rely heavily on on-ground facilities that reproduce, to a different extent, microgravity or its effects. However, the technical constraints of counterbalancing the gravitational force on Earth add complexity to data interpretation. In-flight experiments are also not without their challenges, including additional stressors, such as cosmic radiation and lack of convection. It is thus extremely important in Space biology to design experiments in a way that maximizes the scientific return and takes into consideration all the variables of the chosen setup, both on-ground or on orbit. This review provides a critical analysis of current ground-based and spaceflight facilities. In particular, the focus was given to experimental design to offer the reader the tools to select the appropriate setup and to appropriately interpret the results.
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49
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Pariset E, Penninckx S, Kerbaul CD, Guiet E, Macha AL, Cekanaviciute E, Snijders AM, Mao JH, Paris F, Costes SV. 53BP1 Repair Kinetics for Prediction of In Vivo Radiation Susceptibility in 15 Mouse Strains. Radiat Res 2020; 194:485-499. [PMID: 32991727 DOI: 10.1667/rade-20-00122.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
We present a novel mathematical formalism to predict the kinetics of DNA damage repair after exposure to both low- and high-LET radiation (X rays; 350 MeV/n 40Ar; 600 MeV/n 56Fe). Our method is based on monitoring DNA damage repair protein 53BP1 that forms radiation-induced foci (RIF) at locations of DNA double-strand breaks (DSB) in the nucleus and comparing its expression in primary skin fibroblasts isolated from 15 mice strains. We previously reported strong evidence for clustering of nearby DSB into single repair units as opposed to the classic "contact-first" model where DSB are considered immobile. Here we apply this clustering model to evaluate the number of remaining RIF over time. We also show that the newly introduced kinetic metrics can be used as surrogate biomarkers for in vivo radiation toxicity, with potential applications in radiotherapy and human space exploration. In particular, we observed an association between the characteristic time constant of RIF repair measured in vitro and survival levels of immune cells collected from irradiated mice. Moreover, the speed of DNA damage repair correlated not only with radiation-induced cellular survival in vivo, but also with spontaneous cancer incidence data collected from the Mouse Tumor Biology database, suggesting a relationship between the efficiency of DSB repair after irradiation and cancer risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eloise Pariset
- Universities Space Research Association (USRA), Columbia, Maryland 21046.,Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Mountain View, California 94035
| | - Sébastien Penninckx
- Namur Research Institute for Life Science, University of Namur, 5000 Namur, Belgium.,Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720
| | | | - Elodie Guiet
- Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720
| | | | - Egle Cekanaviciute
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Mountain View, California 94035
| | - Antoine M Snijders
- Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720
| | - Jian-Hua Mao
- Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720
| | - François Paris
- Université de Nantes, INSERM, CNRS, CRCINA, Nantes, France 44007
| | - Sylvain V Costes
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Mountain View, California 94035
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50
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Corlett T, Stavnichuk M, Komarova SV. Population analysis of space travelers. LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2020; 27:1-5. [PMID: 34756222 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2020.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/13/2020] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Although many space missions have been completed in the last 60 years, space exploration is still technologically and medically challenging. While large-scale medical studies are impossible in space travelers, meta-analysis allows combining data from small crews that participated in space missions over several decades. Our primary objective was to examine space-travelers' sociodemographic characteristics and spaceflight activities, and their changes with time from the first spaceflight. Our secondary objective was to evaluate the publication practices to assess data availability for health-related meta-analytic studies. Based on state-funded space agencies used as primary sources, and third-party websites used as secondary sources, 565 humans (501 males/64 females) have currently completed spaceflight. The average age of space-travelers increased from 34±4 in the 1960s to 45±4 in the 2010s. While the duration of space missions has increased consistently, the number of missions per year varied in correlation with technological events. Using papers identified in the systematic review of bone health in astronauts, we examined the changes in reporting practices with time. The reported sample size varied from 1 to 58 people, in total providing data for 148 individuals. Data confidentiality significantly improved with time; however, the corresponding decrease in the availability of individual parameters did not allow stratification even by age, sex, and mission duration. Thus, space travelers represent a diverse population suitable for comparative studies, however, it is important to develop reporting practices that ensure consistent, transparent, and ethical presentation of outcomes to support meta-analyses that are critical for understanding the scope of spaceflight-induced health issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatsuya Corlett
- Shriners Hospital for Children - Canada, 1003 Decarie Boulevard, Montreal, QC H4A 0A9, Canada.
| | - Mariya Stavnichuk
- Shriners Hospital for Children - Canada, 1003 Decarie Boulevard, Montreal, QC H4A 0A9, Canada; Department of Biomedical Engineering, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada.
| | - Svetlana V Komarova
- Shriners Hospital for Children - Canada, 1003 Decarie Boulevard, Montreal, QC H4A 0A9, Canada; Department of Biomedical Engineering, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada; Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada.
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