The molecular mechanisms driving physiological changes after long duration space flights revealed by quantitative analysis of human blood proteins

A review of the physiological effects of microgravity and innovative formulation for space travelers

During the space travel mission, astronauts' physiological and psychological behavior will alter, and they will start consuming terrestrial drug products. However, factors such as microgravity, radiation exposure, temperature, humidity, strong vibrations, space debris, and other issues encountered, the drug product undergo instability This instability combined with physiological changes will affect the shelf life and diminish the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile of the drug product. Consequently, the physicochemical changes will produce a toxic degradation product and a lesser potency dosage form which may result in reduced or no therapeutic action, so the astronaut consumes an additional dose to remain healthy. On long-duration missions like Mars, the drug product cannot be replaced, and the astronaut may relay on the available medications. Sometimes, radiation-induced impurities in the drug product will cause severe problems for the astronaut. So, this review article highlights the current state of various space-related factors affecting the drug product and provides a comprehensive summary of the physiological changes which primarly focus on absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME). Along with that, we insist some of the strategies like novel formulations, space medicine manufacturing from plants, and 3D printed medicine for astronauts in longer-duration missions. Such developments are anticipated to significantly contribute to new developments with applications in both human space exploration and on terrestrial healthcare.

Simulated Microgravity Alters Gene Regulation Linked to Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease

Microgravity exposure induces a cephalad fluid shift and an overall reduction in physical activity levels which can lead to cardiovascular deconditioning in the absence of countermeasures. Future spaceflight missions will expose crew to extended periods of microgravity among other stressors, the effects of which on cardiovascular health are not fully known. In this study, we determined cardiac responses to extended microgravity exposure using the rat hindlimb unloading (HU) model. We hypothesized that exposure to prolonged simulated microgravity and subsequent recovery would lead to increased oxidative damage and altered expression of genes involved in the oxidative response. To test this hypothesis, we examined hearts of male (three and nine months of age) and female (3 months of age) Long-Evans rats that underwent HU for various durations up to 90 days and reambulated up to 90 days post-HU. Results indicate sex-dependent changes in oxidative damage marker 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and antioxidant gene expression in left ventricular tissue. Three-month-old females displayed elevated 8-OHdG levels after 14 days of HU while age-matched males did not. In nine-month-old males, there were no differences in 8-OHdG levels between HU and normally loaded control males at any of the timepoints tested following HU. RNAseq analysis of left ventricular tissue from nine-month-old males after 14 days of HU revealed upregulation of pathways involved in pro-inflammatory signaling, immune cell activation and differential expression of genes associated with cardiovascular disease progression. Taken together, these findings provide a rationale for targeting antioxidant and immune pathways and that sex differences should be taken into account in the development of countermeasures to maintain cardiovascular health in space.

Collection of biospecimens from the inspiration4 mission establishes the standards for the space omics and medical atlas (SOMA)

The SpaceX Inspiration4 mission provided a unique opportunity to study the impact of spaceflight on the human body. Biospecimen samples were collected from four crew members longitudinally before (Launch: L-92, L-44, L-3 days), during (Flight Day: FD1, FD2, FD3), and after (Return: R + 1, R + 45, R + 82, R + 194 days) spaceflight, spanning a total of 289 days across 2021-2022. The collection process included venous whole blood, capillary dried blood spot cards, saliva, urine, stool, body swabs, capsule swabs, SpaceX Dragon capsule HEPA filter, and skin biopsies. Venous whole blood was further processed to obtain aliquots of serum, plasma, extracellular vesicles and particles, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells. In total, 2,911 sample aliquots were shipped to our central lab at Weill Cornell Medicine for downstream assays and biobanking. This paper provides an overview of the extensive biospecimen collection and highlights their processing procedures and long-term biobanking techniques, facilitating future molecular tests and evaluations.As such, this study details a robust framework for obtaining and preserving high-quality human, microbial, and environmental samples for aerospace medicine in the Space Omics and Medical Atlas (SOMA) initiative, which can aid future human spaceflight and space biology experiments.

Managing Hemostasis in Space

Human space travel requires exposure to weightlessness, ionizing radiation, isolation, and austerity. A recent report of internal jugular vein thrombosis in astronauts in low Earth orbit confirms that these exposures also affect vascular biology to influence diseases of thrombosis and hemostasis. This brief review summarizes the known influences of space travel on inflammation, blood coagulation, and the cardiovascular system and conceptualizes how they might combine to affect thrombosis and hemostasis. In the event of a major thrombotic or bleeding emergency, it is anticipated that the unique physiological influences of the space environment and logistical limitations of providing medical care in space would require a response that is unique from our current experience. We also look towards the future to discuss lessons learned from our current experiences on Earth and in space.

Collection of Biospecimens from the Inspiration4 Mission Establishes the Standards for the Space Omics and Medical Atlas (SOMA)

The SpaceX Inspiration4 mission provided a unique opportunity to study the impact of spaceflight on the human body. Biospecimen samples were collected from the crew at different stages of the mission, including before (L-92, L-44, L-3 days), during (FD1, FD2, FD3), and after (R+1, R+45, R+82, R+194 days) spaceflight, creating a longitudinal sample set. The collection process included samples such as venous blood, capillary dried blood spot cards, saliva, urine, stool, body swabs, capsule swabs, SpaceX Dragon capsule HEPA filter, and skin biopsies, which were processed to obtain aliquots of serum, plasma, extracellular vesicles, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells. All samples were then processed in clinical and research laboratories for optimal isolation and testing of DNA, RNA, proteins, metabolites, and other biomolecules. This paper describes the complete set of collected biospecimens, their processing steps, and long-term biobanking methods, which enable future molecular assays and testing. As such, this study details a robust framework for obtaining and preserving high-quality human, microbial, and environmental samples for aerospace medicine in the Space Omics and Medical Atlas (SOMA) initiative, which can also aid future experiments in human spaceflight and space biology.

Human Adaptation to Deep Space Environment: An Evolutionary Perspective of the Foreseen Interplanetary Exploration

Long-term and deep space exploration is a prevailing dream that is becoming a reality. Is that so? The answer to this question depends on how the main actors of space exploration, i.e., politicians, scientists, and engineers, define “long-term” and the ultimate goals of the current space programs. Presently, long-term refers to few months or years, which is equivalent to the time necessary for a manned mission to reach another planet and return to Earth. Such a space mission is a tremendous scientific challenge associated with multidisciplinary issues spanning from technology to medicine biology, social, and psychological science. It has been a priority of the main westernized societies that has attracted the brightest and most innovative scientific minds since World War II. At first the stakes were mainly political in order to demonstrate to other countries power and strength. It progressively became a scientific motivation to uncover the secrets of the Universe and life's origin, and potentially to find traces of distant life. More recently, a desire to colonize space and exploit resources on other planets has emerged as a new dream. Although the journey to Mars is still a prospective and traveling in deep space a further elusive goal, one can question the ultimate implications of deep space exploration over the long-term.