模拟失重对大鼠肠黏膜NF-κB表达的影响

The effects of microgravity on the digestive system and the new insights it brings to the life sciences

BACKGROUND

Weightlessness is a component of the complex space environment. It exerts adverse effects on the human body, and may pose unknown challenges to the implementation of space missions. The regular function of the digestive system is an important checkpoint for astronauts to conduct missions. Simulated microgravity can recreate the changes experienced by the human body in a weightless environment in space to a certain extent, providing technical support for the exploration of its mechanism and a practical method for other scientific research.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

In the present study, we reviewed and discussed the latest research on the effects of weightlessness or simulated microgravity on the digestive system, as well as the current challenges and future expectations for progress in medical science and further space exploration.

RESULTS

A series of studies have investigated the effects of weightlessness on the human digestive system. On one hand, weightlessness and the changing space environment may exert certain adverse effects on the human body. Studies based on cells or animals have demonstrated the complex effects on the human digestive system in response to weightlessness. On the other hand, a microgravity environment also facilitates the ideation of novel concepts for research in the domain of life science.

CONCLUSION

The effects of weightlessness on the digestive system are considerably complicated. The emergence of methods that help simulate a weightless environment provides a more convenient alternative for assessing the impact and the mechanism underlying the effect of weightlessness on the human body. In addition, the simulated microgravity environment facilitates the ideation of novel concepts for application in regenerative medicine and other fields of life science.

Effect of simulated weightlessness on the healing of experimental gastric ulcer in rats

AIM: To investigate the effect of simulated weightlessness on the healing of acetic acid-induced experimental gastric ulcer in rats and to explore the potential mechanisms involved.

METHODS: Thirty-two SD rats were randomly and equally divided into four groups: 7 d tail suspension group, 7 d control group,14 d tail suspension, and 14 d control group. Gastric ulcer was induced in rats with acetic acid. Tail suspension was used to simulate the weightlessness condition 3 days after ulcer induction. The gastric ulcer area was measured with a vernier caliper. The ultrastructure of regenerative mucosa was observed by electronic microscopy. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) level in gastric juice was determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA). The staging of ulcer healing was performed.

RESULTS: Compared to the 7 d control group, the ulcer area significantly increased (6.0 mm² ± 1.7 mm² vs 2.2 mm² ± 0.7 mm², t = 5.661, P < 0.01) and the stage of ulcer significantly decreased (χ² = 12.771, P < 0.01) in the 7d suspension group. Compared to the 14 d control group, the ulcer area and EGF level increased (3.0 mm² ± 1.2 mm² vs 1.1 mm² ± 0.4 mm², t = 4.233, P < 0.01; 0.155 ng/mL ± 0.052 ng/mL vs 0.103 ng/mL ± 0.019 ng/mL, t = 2.635, P < 0.05) in the 14 d suspension group. Compared to the 7 d suspension group, the ulcer area, EGF level and stage of ulcer significantly decreased (3.0 mm² ± 1.2 mm² vs 6.0 mm² ± 1.7 mm², t = 3.805, P < 0.01; 0.155 ng/mL ± 0.052 ng/mL vs 0.434 ng/mL ± 0.137 ng/mL, t = 5.657, P < 0.01; χ² = 12.953, P < 0.01) in the 14 d suspension group. The ultrastructural restoration and histological maturity of healed ulcer in the 7 d and 14 d suspension groups were inferior to those in the 7 d and 14 d control groups.

CONCLUSION: Simulated weightlessness may depress the structure of regenerative gastric mucosa, delay the healing of ulcer, and increase EGF level in gastric juice.