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Swanenburg J, Easthope CA, Meinke A, Langenfeld A, Green DA, Schweinhardt P. Lunar and mars gravity induce similar changes in spinal motor control as microgravity. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1196929. [PMID: 37565140 PMCID: PMC10411353 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1196929] [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: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Once more, plans are underway to send humans to the Moon or possibly even to Mars. It is therefore, important to know potential physiological effects of a prolonged stay in space and to minimize possible health risks to astronauts. It has been shown that spinal motor control strategies change during microgravity induced by parabolic flight. The way in which spinal motor control strategies change during partial microgravity, such as that encountered on the Moon and on Mars, is not known. Methods: Spinal motor control measurements were performed during Earth, lunar, Mars, and micro-gravity conditions and two hypergravity conditions of a parabola. Three proxy measures of spinal motor control were recorded: spinal stiffness of lumbar L3 vertebra using the impulse response, muscle activity of lumbar flexors and extensors using surface electromyography, and lumbar curvature using two curvature distance sensors placed at the upper and lower lumbar spine. The participants were six females and six males, with a mean age of 33 years (standard deviation: 7 years). Results: Gravity condition had a statistically significant (Friedmann tests) effect spinal stiffness (p < 0.001); on EMG measures (multifidus (p = 0.047), transversus abdominis (p < 0.001), and psoas (p < 0.001) muscles) and on upper lumbar curvature sensor (p < 0.001). No effect was found on the erector spinae muscle (p = 0.063) or lower curvature sensor (p = 0.170). Post hoc tests revealed a significant increase in stiffness under micro-, lunar-, and Martian gravity conditions (all p's < 0.034). Spinal stiffness decreased under both hypergravity conditions (all p's ≤ 0.012) and decreased during the second hypergravity compared to the first hypergravity condition (p = 0.012). Discussion: Micro-, lunar-, and Martian gravity conditions resulted in similar increases in spinal stiffness, a decrease in transversus abdominis muscle activity, with no change in psoas muscle activity and thus modulation of spinal motor stabilization strategy compared to those observed under Earth's gravity. These findings suggest that the spine is highly sensitive to gravity transitions but that Lunar and Martian gravity are below that required for normal modulation of spinal motor stabilization strategy and thus may be associated with LBP and/or IVD risk without the definition of countermeasures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaap Swanenburg
- Department of Chiropractic Medicine, Integrative Spinal Research ISR, Balgrist University Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Anatomy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Innovation Cluster Space and Aviation (UZH Space Hub), Air Force Center, University of Zurich, Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Christopher A. Easthope
- Cereneo—Center for Interdisciplinary Research, Vitznau, Switzerland
- Lake Lucerne Institute, Vitznau, Switzerland
| | - Anita Meinke
- Department of Chiropractic Medicine, Integrative Spinal Research ISR, Balgrist University Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Anke Langenfeld
- Department of Chiropractic Medicine, Integrative Spinal Research ISR, Balgrist University Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - David A. Green
- Centre of Human and Applied Physiological Sciences, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- Space Medicine Team, European Astronaut Centre, European Space Agency, Cologne, Germany
- KBRwyle GmbH, Cologne, Germany
| | - Petra Schweinhardt
- Department of Chiropractic Medicine, Integrative Spinal Research ISR, Balgrist University Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland
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Plehuna A, Green DA, Amirova LE, Tomilovskaya ES, Rukavishnikov IV, Kozlovskaya IB. Dry immersion induced acute low back pain and its relationship with trunk myofascial viscoelastic changes. Front Physiol 2022; 13:1039924. [PMID: 36311233 PMCID: PMC9606241 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.1039924] [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: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Microgravity induces spinal elongation and Low Back Pain (LBP) but the pathophysiology is unknown. Changes in paraspinal muscle viscoelastic properties may play a role. Dry Immersion (DI) is a ground-based microgravity analogue that induces changes in m. erector spinae superficial myofascial tissue tone within 2 h. This study sought to determine whether bilateral m. erector spinae tone, creep, and stiffness persist beyond 2 h; and if such changes correlate with DI-induced spinal elongation and/or LBP. Ten healthy males lay in the DI bath at the Institute of Biomedical Problems (Moscow, Russia) for 6 h. Bilateral lumbar (L1, L4) and thoracic (T11, T9) trunk myofascial tone, stiffness and creep (MyotonPRO), and subjective LBP (0-10 NRS) were recorded before DI, after 1h, 6 h of DI, and 30min post. The non-standing spinal length was evaluated on the bath lifting platform using a bespoke stadiometer before and following DI. DI significantly modulated m. erector spinae viscoelastic properties at L4, L1, T11, and T9 with no effect of laterality. Bilateral tissue tone was significantly reduced after 1 and 6 h DI at L4, L1, T11, and T9 to a similar extent. Stiffness was also reduced by DI at 1 h but partially recovered at 6 h for L4, L1, and T11. Creep was increased by DI at 1 h, with partial recovery at 6 h, although only T11 was significant. All properties returned to baseline 30 min following DI. Significant spinal elongation (1.17 ± 0.20 cm) with mild (at 1 h) to moderate (at 6 h) LBP was induced, mainly in the upper lumbar and lower thoracic regions. Spinal length increases positively correlated (Rho = 0.847, p = 0.024) with middle thoracic (T9) tone reduction, but with no other stiffness or creep changes. Spinal length positively correlated (Rho = 0.557, p = 0.039) with Max LBP; LBP failed to correlate with any m. erector spinae measured parameters. The DI-induced bilateral m. erector spinae tone, creep, and stiffness changes persist beyond 2 h. Evidence of spinal elongation and LBP allows suggesting that the trunk myofascial tissue changes could play a role in LBP pathogenesis observed in real and simulated microgravity. Further study is warranted with longer duration DI, assessment of IVD geometry, and vertebral column stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasija Plehuna
- King’s College London, Centre of Human & Applied Physiological Sciences, London, United Kingdom
- Laboratory of Gravitational Physiology of the Sensorimotor System, Institute of Biomedical Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - David Andrew Green
- King’s College London, Centre of Human & Applied Physiological Sciences, London, United Kingdom
- Space Medicine Team, HRE-OM, European Astronaut Centre, European Space Agency, Cologne, Germany
- KBRwyle Laboratories GmbH, Cologne, Germany
| | - Liubov E. Amirova
- Laboratory of Gravitational Physiology of the Sensorimotor System, Institute of Biomedical Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Elena S. Tomilovskaya
- Laboratory of Gravitational Physiology of the Sensorimotor System, Institute of Biomedical Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Ilya V. Rukavishnikov
- Laboratory of Gravitational Physiology of the Sensorimotor System, Institute of Biomedical Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Inessa B. Kozlovskaya
- Laboratory of Gravitational Physiology of the Sensorimotor System, Institute of Biomedical Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
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Swanenburg J, Egli M, Schweinhardt P. Rückenschmerzen und erhöhtes Bandscheibenvorfallrisiko bei Astronauten während und nach Raumfahrtmissionen. FLUGMEDIZIN · TROPENMEDIZIN · REISEMEDIZIN - FTR 2022. [DOI: 10.1055/a-1928-3538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
ZUSAMMENFASSUNGRückenschmerzen zu Beginn einer Raumfahrtmission sowie ein erhöhtes Risiko für Bandscheibenvorfälle (Diskusprolaps) nach der Rückkehr ist ein seit Langem bekanntes medizinisches Problem der bemannten Raumfahrt. Mit dem Bestreben, den Mond permanent zu besiedeln, wird der Erhalt der körperlichen Gesundheit in einer für den Menschen fremden Umgebung ein zentraler Faktor. Im Vergleich zu den Apollo-Flügen zum Mond in den 1970er-Jahren sollen die Aufenthalte auf dem Mond in Zukunft nicht nur ein paar Tage dauern, sondern Monate, was neue Gesundheitsrisiken mit sich bringt. Durch die Entfernung zur Erde und den dadurch eingeschränkten Zugang zu medizinischen Leistungen wird es ferner viel schwieriger oder gar unmöglich, bei Notfällen schnell einzugreifen. Deshalb sind neue Ideen zur Bewältigung der medizinischen Herausforderungen gefragt.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaap Swanenburg
- Integrative Spinal Research ISR, Department of Chiropractic Medicine, Balgrist University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
- University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marcel Egli
- University of Zurich, Switzerland
- Luzerne University of Applied Science and Arts, Institute of Medical Engineering (IMT), Space Biology Group, Switzerland
| | - Petra Schweinhardt
- Integrative Spinal Research ISR, Department of Chiropractic Medicine, Balgrist University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
- University of Zurich, Switzerland
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Robin A, Navasiolava N, Gauquelin-Koch G, Gharib C, Custaud MA, Treffel L. Spinal changes after 5-day dry immersion as shown by magnetic resonance imaging (DI-5-CUFFS). Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2022; 323:R310-R318. [PMID: 35700204 DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00055.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Astronauts frequently report microgravity-induced back pain, which is generally more pronounced in the beginning of a spaceflight. The dry immersion (DI) model reproduces the early effects of microgravity in terms of global support unloading and fluidshift, both of which are involved in back pain pathogenesis. Here, we assessed spinal changes induced by exposure to 5 days of strict DI in 18 healthy men (25-43 years old) with (n = 9) or without (n = 9) thigh cuffs countermeasure. Intervertebral disc (IVD) height, spinal cord position, and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC; reflecting global water motion) were measured using magnetic resonance imaging before and after DI. After DI, IVD height increased in thoracic (+3.3 ± 0.8 mm; C7-T12) and lumbar (+4.5 ± 0.4 mm; T12-L5) regions but not in the cervical region (C2-C7) of the spine. An increase in ADC after DI was observed at the L1 (~6% increase, from 3.2 to 3.4 × 10-3 mm2/s; p < 0.001) and L2 (~3% increase, from 3.4 to 3.5 × 10-3 mm2/s; p = 0.005) levels. There was no effect of thigh cuffs on spinal parameters. This change in IVD after DI follows the same "gradient" pattern of height increase from the cervical to the lumbar region as observed after bedrest and spaceflight. The increase in ADC at L1 level positively correlated with reported back pain. These findings emphasize the utility of the DI model for studying early spinal changes observed in microgravity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrien Robin
- Univ Angers, CHU Angers, CRC, INSERM, CNRS, MITOVASC, Equipe CarMe, SFR ICAT, Angers, France
| | - Nastassia Navasiolava
- Univ Angers, CHU Angers, CRC, INSERM, CNRS, MITOVASC, Equipe CarMe, SFR ICAT, Angers, France
| | | | - Claude Gharib
- PGNM (Pathologie et Génétique du Neurone et du Muscle) Université Lyon1, Lyon, France
| | - Marc-Antoine Custaud
- Univ Angers, CHU Angers, CRC, INSERM, CNRS, MITOVASC, Equipe CarMe, SFR ICAT, Angers, France
| | - Loïc Treffel
- PGNM (Pathologie et Génétique du Neurone et du Muscle) Université Lyon1, Lyon, France.,Institut Toulousain d'Ostéopathie, IRF'O, Labège-Toulouse, France
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Kashirina DN, Brzhozovskiy AG, Sun W, Pastushkova LK, Popova OV, Rusanov VB, Nikolaev EN, Larina IM, Kononikhin AS. Proteomic Characterization of Dry Blood Spots of Healthy Women During Simulation the Microgravity Effects Using Dry Immersion. Front Physiol 2022; 12:753291. [PMID: 35087415 PMCID: PMC8787266 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.753291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Daria N. Kashirina
- Institute of Biomedical Problems – Russian Federation State Scientific Research Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexander G. Brzhozovskiy
- Institute of Biomedical Problems – Russian Federation State Scientific Research Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- CDISE, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow, Russia
| | - Wen Sun
- Institute of Biomedical Problems – Russian Federation State Scientific Research Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Ludmila Kh. Pastushkova
- Institute of Biomedical Problems – Russian Federation State Scientific Research Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Olga V. Popova
- Institute of Biomedical Problems – Russian Federation State Scientific Research Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Vasiliy B. Rusanov
- Institute of Biomedical Problems – Russian Federation State Scientific Research Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Irina M. Larina
- Institute of Biomedical Problems – Russian Federation State Scientific Research Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexey S. Kononikhin
- Institute of Biomedical Problems – Russian Federation State Scientific Research Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- CDISE, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow, Russia
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Tomilovskaya E, Amirova L, Nosikova I, Rukavishnikov I, Chernogorov R, Lebedeva S, Saveko A, Ermakov I, Ponomarev I, Zelenskaya I, Shigueva T, Shishkin N, Kitov V, Riabova A, Brykov V, Abu Sheli N, Vassilieva G, Orlov O. The First Female Dry Immersion (NAIAD-2020): Design and Specifics of a 3-Day Study. Front Physiol 2021; 12:661959. [PMID: 34194336 PMCID: PMC8236811 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.661959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
This article describes procedures and some results of the first study of females undergoing 3-day Dry Immersion. The experiment “NAIAD-2020” was carried out at the Institute of Biomedical Problems (Moscow, Russia) with the participation of six healthy women volunteers (age 30.17 ± 5.5 years, height 1.66 ± 0.1 m, weight 62.05 ± 8.4 kg, BMI 22.39 ± 2.2 kg/m2) with a natural menstrual cycle. During the study, a standard protocol was used, the same as for men, with a minimum period of time spent outside the immersion bath. Before, during and after Immersion, 22 experiments were carried out aimed at studying the neurophysiological, functional, metabolic and psychophysiological functions of the body, the results of which will be presented in future publications. The total time outside the bath for women did not exceed that for men. Systolic and diastolic pressure did not significantly change during the immersion. In the first 24 h after the end of the immersion, heart rate was significantly higher than the background values [F(4,20) = 14.67; P < 0.0001]. Changes in body temperature and water balance were consistent with the patterns found in men. No significant changes in height and weight were found during immersion. All women reported general discomfort and pain in the abdomen and back. The results of this study did not find significant risks to women’s health and showed the feasibility of using this model of the effects of space flight in women of reproductive age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Tomilovskaya
- Russian Federation State Scientific Center - Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Liubov Amirova
- Russian Federation State Scientific Center - Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Inna Nosikova
- Russian Federation State Scientific Center - Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Ilya Rukavishnikov
- Russian Federation State Scientific Center - Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Roman Chernogorov
- Russian Federation State Scientific Center - Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Svetlana Lebedeva
- Russian Federation State Scientific Center - Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Alina Saveko
- Russian Federation State Scientific Center - Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Ivan Ermakov
- Russian Federation State Scientific Center - Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Ivan Ponomarev
- Russian Federation State Scientific Center - Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Inna Zelenskaya
- Russian Federation State Scientific Center - Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Tatiana Shigueva
- Russian Federation State Scientific Center - Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Nikita Shishkin
- Russian Federation State Scientific Center - Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Vladimir Kitov
- Russian Federation State Scientific Center - Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexandra Riabova
- Russian Federation State Scientific Center - Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Vitaly Brykov
- Russian Federation State Scientific Center - Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Nelly Abu Sheli
- Russian Federation State Scientific Center - Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Galina Vassilieva
- Russian Federation State Scientific Center - Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Oleg Orlov
- Russian Federation State Scientific Center - Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
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Pandiarajan M, Hargens AR. Ground-Based Analogs for Human Spaceflight. Front Physiol 2020; 11:716. [PMID: 32655420 PMCID: PMC7324748 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.00716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This mini-review provides an updated summary of various analogs for adaptations of humans to the microgravity of space. Microgravity analogs discussed in this paper include dry immersion, wet immersion, unilateral lower-extremity limb suspension, head down tilt (HDT), and supine bed rest. All Earth-based analogs are imperfect simulations of microgravity with their own advantages and disadvantages. This paper compares these five frequently used microgravity analogs to offer insights into their usefulness for various physiological systems. New developments for each human microgravity analog are explored and advantages of one analog are evaluated against other analogs. Furthermore, the newly observed risk of Spaceflight Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome (SANS) is included in this mini review with a discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of each method of simulation for the relatively new risk of SANS. Overall, the best and most integrated analog for Earth-based studies of the microgravity of space flight appears to be head-down tilt bed rest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meenakshi Pandiarajan
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Alan R Hargens
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
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Loïc T, Nastassia N, Mkhitaryan K, Emmanuelle J, Kathryn Z, Guillemette GK, Marc-Antoine C, Claude G. DI-5-Cuffs: Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Proteoglycan and Water Content Changes in Humans after Five Days of Dry Immersion to Simulate Microgravity. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21113748. [PMID: 32466473 PMCID: PMC7312650 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21113748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Most astronauts experience back pain after spaceflight, primarily located in the lumbar region. Intervertebral disc herniations have been observed after real and simulated microgravity. Spinal deconditioning after exposure to microgravity has been described, but the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. The dry immersion (DI) model of microgravity was used with eighteen male volunteers. Half of the participants wore thigh cuffs as a potential countermeasure. The spinal changes and intervertebral disc (IVD) content changes were investigated using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) analyses with T1-T2 mapping sequences. IVD water content was estimated by the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), with proteoglycan content measured using MRI T1-mapping sequences centered in the nucleus pulposus. The use of thigh cuffs had no effect on any of the spinal variables measured. There was significant spinal lengthening for all of the subjects. The ADC and IVD proteoglycan content both increased significantly with DI (7.34 ± 2.23% and 10.09 ± 1.39%, respectively; mean ± standard deviation), p < 0.05). The ADC changes suggest dynamic and rapid water diffusion inside IVDs, linked to gravitational unloading. Further investigation is needed to determine whether similar changes occur in the cervical IVDs. A better understanding of the mechanisms involved in spinal deconditioning with spaceflight would assist in the development of alternative countermeasures to prevent IVD herniation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Treffel Loïc
- Institut NeuroMyogène, Faculté de Médecine Lyon Est, 69008 Lyon, France;
- Correspondence:
| | - Navasiolava Nastassia
- Centre de Recherche Clinique, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire d’Angers, 49100 Angers, France; (N.N.); (C.M.-A.)
| | - Karen Mkhitaryan
- Siemens Healthinners, Service Application, 93210 Saint-Denis, France;
| | | | - Zuj Kathryn
- Department of Kinesiology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L3G1, Canada;
| | | | - Custaud Marc-Antoine
- Centre de Recherche Clinique, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire d’Angers, 49100 Angers, France; (N.N.); (C.M.-A.)
- MitoVasc UMR INSERM 1083-CNRS 6015, Université d’Angers, 49100 Angers, France
| | - Gharib Claude
- Institut NeuroMyogène, Faculté de Médecine Lyon Est, 69008 Lyon, France;
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Yuan M, Custaud MA, Xu Z, Wang J, Yuan M, Tafforin C, Treffel L, Arbeille P, Nicolas M, Gharib C, Gauquelin-Koch G, Arnaud L, Lloret JC, Li Y, Navasiolava N. Multi-System Adaptation to Confinement During the 180-Day Controlled Ecological Life Support System (CELSS) Experiment. Front Physiol 2019; 10:575. [PMID: 31164833 PMCID: PMC6536695 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 04/24/2019] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Confinement experiments are essential to prepare long-term space exploration. The 180-day Chinese CELSS (Controlled Ecological Life Support System) study is unique in its design, including a closed-loop system and mid-mission simulation of Mars-like day-night cycle of 24 h 40 min for 36 days (days 72-108). Our aim was to study physiological and psychological consequences of this confinement in four healthy volunteers (one female). CELSS platform consisted of six interconnected modules including four greenhouses. Life support systems were controlled automatically. Body composition, fluid compartments, metabolic state, heart, large vessels, endothelial function, and muscle tone were studied using biological, functional, and/or morphological measurements. Behavioral activities were studied by ethological monitoring; psychological state was assessed by questionnaires. Body weight decreased by ∼2 kg mostly due to lean mass loss. Plasma volume and volume-regulating hormones were mostly stable. Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) increased by 10-15%. Endothelium-dependent vasodilation decreased. Masseter tone increased by 6-14% suggesting stress, whereas paravertebral muscle tone diminished by 10 ± 6%. Behavioral flow reflecting global activity decreased 1.5- to 2-fold after the first month. Psychological questionnaires revealed decrease in hostility and negative emotions but increase in emotional adaptation suggesting boredom and monotony. One subject was clearly different with lower fitness, higher levels of stress and anxiety, and somatic signs as back pain, peak in masseter tone, increased blood cortisol and C-reactive protein. Comparison of CELSS experiment with Mars500 confinement program suggests the need for countermeasures to prevent increased IMT and endothelial deconditioning. Daily activity in greenhouse could act as countermeasure against psycho-physiological deconditioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Space Medicine Fundamentals and Application, China Astronaut Research and Training Center, Beijing, China
- Space Institute of Southern China, Shenzhen, China
| | - Marc-Antoine Custaud
- Centre de Recherche Clinique, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire d’Angers, Angers, France
- MitoVasc UMR INSERM 1083-CNRS 6015, Université d’Angers, Angers, France
| | - Zi Xu
- Space Institute of Southern China, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jingyu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Space Medicine Fundamentals and Application, China Astronaut Research and Training Center, Beijing, China
| | - Min Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Space Medicine Fundamentals and Application, China Astronaut Research and Training Center, Beijing, China
| | - Carole Tafforin
- Research and Study Group in Human and Space Ethology, Ethospace, Toulouse, France
| | - Loïc Treffel
- Institut Toulousain d’Ostéopathie, Toulouse, France
- Centre de Recherche International en Biomécanique, Lagarde, France
| | - Philippe Arbeille
- Faculté de Médecine, Unité de Médecine et Physiologie Spatiales, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Trousseau de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Michel Nicolas
- Laboratory of Psychology Psy-DREPI (EA 7458), Sport Sciences Department, University Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Dijon, France
| | - Claude Gharib
- Institut NeuroMyogène, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | | | | | | | - Yinghui Li
- State Key Laboratory of Space Medicine Fundamentals and Application, China Astronaut Research and Training Center, Beijing, China
| | - Nastassia Navasiolava
- Centre de Recherche Clinique, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire d’Angers, Angers, France
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10
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Tomilovskaya E, Shigueva T, Sayenko D, Rukavishnikov I, Kozlovskaya I. Dry Immersion as a Ground-Based Model of Microgravity Physiological Effects. Front Physiol 2019; 10:284. [PMID: 30971938 PMCID: PMC6446883 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2018] [Accepted: 03/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Dry immersion (DI) is one of the most widely used ground models of microgravity. DI accurately and rapidly reproduces most of physiological effects of short-term space flights. The model simulates such factors of space flight as lack of support, mechanical and axial unloading as well as physical inactivity. The current manuscript gathers the results of physiological studies performed from the time of the model's development. This review describes the changes induced by DI of different duration (from few hours to 56 days) in the neuromuscular, sensory-motor, cardiorespiratory, digestive and excretory, and immune systems, as well as in the metabolism and hemodynamics. DI reproduces practically the full spectrum of changes in the body systems during the exposure to microgravity. The numerous publications from Russian researchers, which until present were mostly inaccessible for scientists from other countries are summarized in this work. These data demonstrated and validated DI as a ground-based model for simulation of physiological effects of weightlessness. The magnitude and rate of physiological changes during DI makes this method advantageous as compared with other ground-based microgravity models. The actual and potential uses of the model are discussed in the context of fundamental studies and applications for Earth medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Tomilovskaya
- RF SSC – Institute of Biomedical Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Tatiana Shigueva
- RF SSC – Institute of Biomedical Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Dimitry Sayenko
- Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Ilya Rukavishnikov
- RF SSC – Institute of Biomedical Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Inessa Kozlovskaya
- RF SSC – Institute of Biomedical Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
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Green DA, Scott JPR. Spinal Health during Unloading and Reloading Associated with Spaceflight. Front Physiol 2018; 8:1126. [PMID: 29403389 PMCID: PMC5778142 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2017.01126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2017] [Accepted: 12/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal elongation and back pain are recognized effects of exposure to microgravity, however, spinal health has received relatively little attention. This changed with the report of an increased risk of post-flight intervertebral disc (IVD) herniation and subsequent identification of spinal pathophysiology in some astronauts post-flight. Ground-based analogs, particularly bed rest, suggest that a loss of spinal curvature and IVD swelling may be factors contributing to unloading-induced spinal elongation. In flight, trunk muscle atrophy, in particular multifidus, may precipitate lumbar curvature loss and reduced spinal stability, but in-flight (ultrasound) and pre- and post-flight (MRI) imaging have yet to detect significant IVD changes. Current International Space Station missions involve short periods of moderate-to-high spinal (axial) loading during running and resistance exercise, superimposed upon a background of prolonged unloading (microgravity). Axial loading acting on a dysfunctional spine, weakened by anatomical changes and local muscle atrophy, might increase the risk of damage/injury. Alternatively, regular loading may be beneficial. Spinal pathology has been identified in-flight, but there are few contemporary reports of in-flight back injury and no recent studies of post-flight back injury incidence. Accurate routine in-flight stature measurements, in- and post-flight imaging, and tracking of pain and injury (herniation) for at least 2 years post-flight is thus warranted. These should be complemented by ground-based studies, in particular hyper buoyancy floatation (HBF) a novel analog of spinal unloading, in order to elucidate the mechanisms and risk of spinal injury, and to evaluate countermeasures for exploration where injury could be mission critical.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Green
- KBRwyle GmbH, Cologne, Germany.,Space Medicine Office, European Astronaut Centre, European Space Agency, Cologne, Germany.,Centre of Human and Aerospace Physiological Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan P R Scott
- KBRwyle GmbH, Cologne, Germany.,Space Medicine Office, European Astronaut Centre, European Space Agency, Cologne, Germany
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