1
|
Buescher FM, Schmitz MT, Frett T, Kramme J, de Boni L, Elmenhorst EM, Mulder E, Moestl S, Heusser K, Frings-Meuthen P, Jordan J, Rittweger J, Pesta D. Effects of 30 days bed rest and exercise countermeasures on PBMC bioenergetics. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2024; 240:e14102. [PMID: 38294173 DOI: 10.1111/apha.14102] [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: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
AIM Altered mitochondrial function across various tissues is a key determinant of spaceflight-induced physical deconditioning. In comparison to tissue biopsies, blood cell bioenergetics holds promise as a systemic and more readily accessible biomarker, which was evaluated during head-down tilt bed rest (HDTBR), an established ground-based analog for spaceflight-induced physiological changes in humans. More specifically, this study explored the effects of HDTBR and an exercise countermeasure on mitochondrial respiration in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). METHODS We subjected 24 healthy participants to a strict 30-day HDTBR protocol. The control group (n = 12) underwent HDTBR only, while the countermeasure group (n = 12) engaged in regular supine cycling exercise followed by veno-occlusive thigh cuffs post-exercise for 6 h. We assessed routine blood parameters 14 days before bed rest, the respiratory capacity of PBMCs via high-resolution respirometry, and citrate synthase activity 2 days before and at day 30 of bed rest. We confirmed PBMC composition by flow cytometry. RESULTS The change of the PBMC maximal oxidative phosphorylation capacity (OXPHOS) amounted to an 11% increase in the countermeasure group, while it decreased by 10% in the control group (p = 0.04). The limitation of OXPHOS increased in control only while other respiratory states were not affected by either intervention. Correlation analysis revealed positive associations between white blood cells, lymphocytes, and basophils with PBMC bioenergetics in both groups. CONCLUSION This study reveals that a regular exercise countermeasure has a positive impact on PBMC mitochondrial function, confirming the potential application of blood cell bioenergetics for human spaceflight.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- F-M Buescher
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Cologne, Germany
| | - M T Schmitz
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Cologne, Germany
- Institute of Medical Biometry, Informatics and Epidemiology, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - T Frett
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Cologne, Germany
| | - J Kramme
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Cologne, Germany
- Center for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Preventive Medicine (CEDP), University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - L de Boni
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Cologne, Germany
| | - E M Elmenhorst
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Cologne, Germany
| | - E Mulder
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Cologne, Germany
| | - S Moestl
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Cologne, Germany
| | - K Heusser
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Cologne, Germany
| | - P Frings-Meuthen
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Cologne, Germany
| | - J Jordan
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Cologne, Germany
- Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - J Rittweger
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Cologne, Germany
| | - D Pesta
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Cologne, Germany
- Center for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Preventive Medicine (CEDP), University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Schmidt MA, Jones JA, Mason CE. Optimizing human performance in extreme environments through precision medicine: From spaceflight to high-performance operations on Earth. CAMBRIDGE PRISMS. PRECISION MEDICINE 2023; 1:e27. [PMID: 38550927 PMCID: PMC10953751 DOI: 10.1017/pcm.2023.16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Humans operating in extreme environments often conduct their operations at the edges of the limits of human performance. Sometimes, they are required to push these limits to previously unattained levels. As a result, their margins for error in execution are much smaller than that found in the general public. These same small margins for error that impact execution may also impact risk, safety, health, and even survival. Thus, humans operating in extreme environments have a need for greater refinement in their preparation, training, fitness, and medical care. Precision medicine (PM) is uniquely suited to address the needs of those engaged in these extreme operations because of its depth of molecular analysis, derived precision countermeasures, and ability to match each individual (and his or her specific molecular phenotype) with any given operating context (environment). Herein, we present an overview of a systems approach to PM in extreme environments, which affords clinicians one method to contextualize the inputs, processes, and outputs that can form the basis of a formal practice. For the sake of brevity, this overview is focused on molecular dynamics, while providing only a brief introduction to the also important physiologic and behavioral phenotypes in PM. Moreover, rather than a full review, it highlights important concepts, while using only selected citations to illustrate those concepts. It further explores, by demonstration, the basic principles of using functionally characterized molecular networks to guide the practical application of PM in extreme environments. At its core, PM in extreme environments is about attention to incremental gains and losses in molecular network efficiency that can scale to produce notable changes in health and performance. The aim of this overview is to provide a conceptual overview of one approach to PM in extreme environments, coupled with a selected suite of practical considerations for molecular profiling and countermeasures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael A. Schmidt
- Sovaris Aerospace, Boulder, CO, USA
- Advanced Pattern Analysis & Human Performance Group, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Jeffrey A. Jones
- Center for Space Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Christopher E. Mason
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Gravano S, Lacquaniti F, Zago M. Mental imagery of object motion in weightlessness. NPJ Microgravity 2021; 7:50. [PMID: 34862387 PMCID: PMC8642442 DOI: 10.1038/s41526-021-00179-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Mental imagery represents a potential countermeasure for sensorimotor and cognitive dysfunctions due to spaceflight. It might help train people to deal with conditions unique to spaceflight. Thus, dynamic interactions with the inertial motion of weightless objects are only experienced in weightlessness but can be simulated on Earth using mental imagery. Such training might overcome the problem of calibrating fine-grained hand forces and estimating the spatiotemporal parameters of the resulting object motion. Here, a group of astronauts grasped an imaginary ball, threw it against the ceiling or the front wall, and caught it after the bounce, during pre-flight, in-flight, and post-flight experiments. They varied the throwing speed across trials and imagined that the ball moved under Earth's gravity or weightlessness. We found that the astronauts were able to reproduce qualitative differences between inertial and gravitational motion already on ground, and further adapted their behavior during spaceflight. Thus, they adjusted the throwing speed and the catching time, equivalent to the duration of virtual ball motion, as a function of the imaginary 0 g condition versus the imaginary 1 g condition. Arm kinematics of the frontal throws further revealed a differential processing of imagined gravity level in terms of the spatial features of the arm and virtual ball trajectories. We suggest that protocols of this kind may facilitate sensorimotor adaptation and help tuning vestibular plasticity in-flight, since mental imagery of gravitational motion is known to engage the vestibular cortex.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Silvio Gravano
- grid.417778.a0000 0001 0692 3437Laboratory of Neuromotor Physiology, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, 00179 Rome, Italy ,grid.6530.00000 0001 2300 0941Department of Systems Medicine and Center of Space BioMedicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Lacquaniti
- Laboratory of Neuromotor Physiology, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, 00179, Rome, Italy. .,Department of Systems Medicine and Center of Space BioMedicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133, Rome, Italy.
| | - Myrka Zago
- Laboratory of Neuromotor Physiology, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, 00179, Rome, Italy. .,Department of Civil Engineering and Computer Science Engineering & Center of Space BioMedicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133, Rome, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
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.
Collapse
|
5
|
Nassef MZ, Melnik D, Kopp S, Sahana J, Infanger M, Lützenberg R, Relja B, Wehland M, Grimm D, Krüger M. Breast Cancer Cells in Microgravity: New Aspects for Cancer Research. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21197345. [PMID: 33027908 PMCID: PMC7582256 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21197345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in females. The incidence has risen dramatically during recent decades. Dismissed as an "unsolved problem of the last century", breast cancer still represents a health burden with no effective solution identified so far. Microgravity (µg) research might be an unusual method to combat the disease, but cancer biologists decided to harness the power of µg as an exceptional method to increase efficacy and precision of future breast cancer therapies. Numerous studies have indicated that µg has a great impact on cancer cells; by influencing proliferation, survival, and migration, it shifts breast cancer cells toward a less aggressive phenotype. In addition, through the de novo generation of tumor spheroids, µg research provides a reliable in vitro 3D tumor model for preclinical cancer drug development and to study various processes of cancer progression. In summary, µg has become an important tool in understanding and influencing breast cancer biology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Zakaria Nassef
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Clinic for Plastic, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany; (M.Z.N.); (D.M.); (S.K.); (M.I.); (R.L.); (M.W.); (D.G.)
| | - Daniela Melnik
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Clinic for Plastic, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany; (M.Z.N.); (D.M.); (S.K.); (M.I.); (R.L.); (M.W.); (D.G.)
| | - Sascha Kopp
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Clinic for Plastic, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany; (M.Z.N.); (D.M.); (S.K.); (M.I.); (R.L.); (M.W.); (D.G.)
- Research Group “Magdeburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung unter Raumfahrt- und Schwerelosigkeitsbedingungen” (MARS), Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Jayashree Sahana
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark;
| | - Manfred Infanger
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Clinic for Plastic, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany; (M.Z.N.); (D.M.); (S.K.); (M.I.); (R.L.); (M.W.); (D.G.)
- Research Group “Magdeburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung unter Raumfahrt- und Schwerelosigkeitsbedingungen” (MARS), Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Ronald Lützenberg
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Clinic for Plastic, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany; (M.Z.N.); (D.M.); (S.K.); (M.I.); (R.L.); (M.W.); (D.G.)
| | - Borna Relja
- Experimental Radiology, Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Otto von Guericke University, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany;
| | - Markus Wehland
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Clinic for Plastic, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany; (M.Z.N.); (D.M.); (S.K.); (M.I.); (R.L.); (M.W.); (D.G.)
- Research Group “Magdeburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung unter Raumfahrt- und Schwerelosigkeitsbedingungen” (MARS), Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Daniela Grimm
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Clinic for Plastic, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany; (M.Z.N.); (D.M.); (S.K.); (M.I.); (R.L.); (M.W.); (D.G.)
- Research Group “Magdeburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung unter Raumfahrt- und Schwerelosigkeitsbedingungen” (MARS), Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark;
| | - Marcus Krüger
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Clinic for Plastic, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany; (M.Z.N.); (D.M.); (S.K.); (M.I.); (R.L.); (M.W.); (D.G.)
- Research Group “Magdeburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung unter Raumfahrt- und Schwerelosigkeitsbedingungen” (MARS), Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-391-6757471
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Semple C, Riveros D, Sung DM, Nagy JA, Rutkove SB, Mortreux M. Using Electrical Impedance Myography as a Biomarker of Muscle Deconditioning in Rats Exposed to Micro- and Partial-Gravity Analogs. Front Physiol 2020; 11:557796. [PMID: 33041858 PMCID: PMC7522465 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.557796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
As astronauts prepare to undertake new extra-terrestrial missions, innovative diagnostic tools are needed to better assess muscle deconditioning during periods of weightlessness and partial gravity. Electrical impedance myography (EIM) has been used to detect muscle deconditioning in rodents exposed to microgravity during spaceflight or using the standard ground-based model of hindlimb unloading via tail suspension (HU). Here, we used EIM to assess muscle changes in animals exposed to two new models: hindlimb suspension using a pelvic harness (HLS) and a partial weight-bearing (PWB) model that mimics partial gravity (including Lunar and Martian gravities). We also used a simple needle array electrode in lieu of surface or ex vivo EIM approaches previously employed. Our HLS results confirmed earlier findings obtained after spaceflight and tail suspension. Indeed, one EIM measure (i.e., phase-slope) that was previously reported as highly sensitive, was significantly decreased after HLS (day 0: 14.60 ± 0.97, day 7: 11.03 ± 0.81, and day 14: 10.13 ± 0.55 | Deg/MHz|, p < 0.0001), and was associated with a significant decrease in muscle grip force. Although EIM parameters such as 50 kHz phase, reactance, and resistance remained variable over 14 days in PWB animals, we identified major PWB-dependent effects at 7 days. Moreover, the data at both 7 and 14 days correlated to previously observed changes in rear paw grip force using the same PWB model. In conclusion, our data suggest that EIM has the potential to serve as biomarker of muscle deconditioning during exposure to both micro- and partial- gravity during future human space exploration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carson Semple
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School - Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Daniela Riveros
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School - Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Dong-Min Sung
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School - Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Janice A Nagy
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School - Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Seward B Rutkove
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School - Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Marie Mortreux
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School - Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Maggioni MA, Castiglioni P, Merati G, Brauns K, Gunga HC, Mendt S, Opatz OS, Rundfeldt LC, Steinach M, Werner A, Stahn AC. High-Intensity Exercise Mitigates Cardiovascular Deconditioning During Long-Duration Bed Rest. Front Physiol 2018; 9:1553. [PMID: 30510516 PMCID: PMC6252355 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.01553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2018] [Accepted: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Head-down-tilt bed rest (HDT) mimics the changes in hemodynamics and autonomic cardiovascular control induced by weightlessness. However, the time course and reciprocal interplay of these adaptations, and the effective exercise protocol as a countermeasure need further clarification. The overarching aim of this work (as part of a European Space Agency sponsored long-term bed rest study) was therefore to evaluate the time course of cardiovascular hemodynamics and autonomic control during prolonged HDT and to assess whether high-intensity, short-duration exercise could mitigate these effects. A total of n = 23 healthy, young, male participants were randomly allocated to two groups: training (TRAIN, n = 12) and non-training (CTRL, n = 11) before undergoing a 60-day HDT. The TRAIN group underwent a resistance training protocol using reactive jumps (5–6 times per week), whereas the CTRL group did not perform countermeasures. Finger blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and stroke volume were collected beat-by-beat for 10 min in both sitting and supine positions 7 days before HDT (BDC−7) and 10 days after HDT (R+10), as well as on the 2nd (HDT2), 28th (HDT28), and 56th (HDT56) day of HDT. We investigated (1) the isolated effects of long-term HDT by comparing all the supine positions (including BDC−7 and R+10 at 0 degrees), and (2) the reactivity of the autonomic response before and after long-term HDT using a specific postural stimulus (i.e., supine vs. sitting). Two-factorial linear mixed models were used to assess the time course of HDT and the effect of the countermeasure. Starting from HDT28 onwards, HR increased (p < 0.02) and parasympathetic tone decreased exclusively in the CTRL group (p < 0.0001). Moreover, after 60-day HDT, CTRL participants showed significant impairments in increasing cardiac sympathovagal balance and controlling BP levels during postural shift (supine to sitting), whereas TRAIN participants did not. Results show that a 10-day recovery did not compensate for the cardiovascular and autonomic deconditioning following 60-day HDT. This has to be considered when designing rehabilitation programs—not only for astronauts but also in general public healthcare. High-intensity, short-duration exercise training effectively minimized these impairments and should therefore deserve consideration as a cardiovascular deconditioning countermeasure for spaceflight.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martina A Maggioni
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institute of Physiology, Center for Space Medicine and Extreme Environments Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Giampiero Merati
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.,IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, Milan, Italy
| | - Katharina Brauns
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institute of Physiology, Center for Space Medicine and Extreme Environments Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Hanns-Christian Gunga
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institute of Physiology, Center for Space Medicine and Extreme Environments Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefan Mendt
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institute of Physiology, Center for Space Medicine and Extreme Environments Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Oliver S Opatz
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institute of Physiology, Center for Space Medicine and Extreme Environments Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lea C Rundfeldt
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institute of Physiology, Center for Space Medicine and Extreme Environments Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Mathias Steinach
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institute of Physiology, Center for Space Medicine and Extreme Environments Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anika Werner
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institute of Physiology, Center for Space Medicine and Extreme Environments Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Université de Normandie, INSERM U 1075 COMETE, Caen, France
| | - Alexander C Stahn
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institute of Physiology, Center for Space Medicine and Extreme Environments Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Debevec T, Ganse B, Mittag U, Eiken O, Mekjavic IB, Rittweger J. Hypoxia Aggravates Inactivity-Related Muscle Wasting. Front Physiol 2018; 9:494. [PMID: 29867545 PMCID: PMC5962751 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.00494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2018] [Accepted: 04/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Poor musculoskeletal state is commonly observed in numerous clinical populations such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and heart failure patients. It, however, remains unresolved whether systemic hypoxemia, typically associated with such clinical conditions, directly contributes to muscle deterioration. We aimed to experimentally elucidate the effects of systemic environmental hypoxia upon inactivity-related muscle wasting. For this purpose, fourteen healthy, male participants underwent three 21-day long interventions in a randomized, cross-over designed manner: (i) bed rest in normoxia (NBR; PiO2 = 133.1 ± 0.3 mmHg), (ii) bed rest in normobaric hypoxia (HBR; PiO2 = 90.0 ± 0.4 mmHg) and ambulatory confinement in normobaric hypoxia (HAmb; PiO2 = 90.0 ± 0.4 mmHg). Peripheral quantitative computed tomography and vastus lateralis muscle biopsies were performed before and after the interventions to obtain thigh and calf muscle cross-sectional areas and muscle fiber phenotype changes, respectively. A significant reduction of thigh muscle size following NBR (-6.9%, SE 0.8%; P < 0.001) was further aggravated following HBR (-9.7%, SE 1.2%; P = 0.027). Bed rest-induced muscle wasting in the calf was, by contrast, not exacerbated by hypoxic conditions (P = 0.47). Reductions in both thigh (-2.7%, SE 1.1%, P = 0.017) and calf (-3.3%, SE 0.7%, P < 0.001) muscle size were noted following HAmb. A significant and comparable increase in type 2× fiber percentage of the vastus lateralis muscle was noted following both bed rest interventions (NBR = +3.1%, SE 2.6%, HBR = +3.9%, SE 2.7%, P < 0.05). Collectively, these data indicate that hypoxia can exacerbate inactivity-related muscle wasting in healthy active participants and moreover suggest that the combination of both, hypoxemia and lack of activity, as seen in COPD patients, might be particularly harmful for muscle tissue.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tadej Debevec
- Faculty of Sport, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Department of Automation, Biocybernetics and Robotics, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Bergita Ganse
- Department of Orthopaedic Trauma, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany.,Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center, Cologne, Germany
| | - Uwe Mittag
- Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center, Cologne, Germany
| | - Ola Eiken
- Department of Environmental Physiology, Swedish Aerospace Physiology Centre, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Igor B Mekjavic
- Department of Automation, Biocybernetics and Robotics, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Jörn Rittweger
- Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center, Cologne, Germany.,Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Sundblad P, Prisk GK. Something from nothing? Space research without leaving the planet. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2016; 120:889-90. [PMID: 26917694 DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00147.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - G Kim Prisk
- University of California, San Diego, California
| |
Collapse
|