Peculiarities of pathological processes under simulated microgravity (space pathophysiology)

Paper number

IAC-18,A1,2,12,x43636

Author

Prof.Dr. Victor Baranov, Russian Federation, Federal Scientific Clinical Centre of the Federal Biomedical Agency of Russia

Coauthor

Dr. Mikhail Baranov, Russian Federation, Federal Scientific Clinical Centre of the Federal Biomedical Agency of Russia

Year

2018

Abstract

\underline{Introduction:} It is widely known and proven that weightlessness causes serious physiological changes in virtually all systems and tissues of the human body. These include: decreased blood volume (BV), heart rhythm disturbances, changes in the ventilation-perfusion ratio in the lungs, increased calcium excretion from the body, muscle atrophy, changes in the gastrointestinal tract and urinary system. The changes listed above, including changes in the sensitivity of the respiratory center and hypoxemia, not only can exacerbate the clinical picture of  classic pathological process, but also  can affect pathogenesis of the disease and  change its course and prognosis.
The basic  goal of  medical doctors was to prevent diseases in space. New promising plans for exploring the Moon and Mars,  the transition to  mass flights into space requires clinical medicine which would  include not only prevention but also  diagnostics and treatment of diseases under microgravity. The first step to this should be studying pathological processes under the state of  weightlessness.
\underline{Results:} We  studied  some pathological processes under microgravity simulation.
{\it Pain sensitivity:} Microgravitaty causes changes in the daily dynamics of pain sensitivity in humans; besides,  a possible cortisol effect and  the degree of fluids shift in the cranial direction are  also important.
{\it Inflammation of the abdominal cavity and retroperitoneal space (peritonitis and pancreatitis)}: Model microgravity leads to significant changes in the liver and pancreas which are manifested  with  the dynamics of biochemical blood parameters. When peritonitis is combined with microgravity, hypoproteinemia and hypoalbuminemia as well as maximal levels of transaminases, urea and total bilirubin are more pronounced what  indicates more severe course of inflammation. 
Excretory function disorders  and excessive accumulation of zymogen in acinar cells what causes  more massive pancreatocyte cytolysis  are indicative of circulatory disorders in the pancreas, specific for  microgravitaty.
 {\it Stroke (ischemic and hemorrhagic)}. Model microgravity lasting 48 hours and  preceding  the stroke has a positive effect at functional recovery  and at the  morphological picture  of regeneration. However,  a lasting antiorthostatic effect after experimental stroke worsens restoration  and regeneration; it also  increases a necrotic zone and mortality rate.
\underline{Conclusion:} Peculiarities of pathological processes associated with microgravitaty  (redistribution of blood, changes in respiratory center  sensitivity, hypoxemia, etc.) require special researches  not only on the  Earth, but also in flight. Space pathophysiology is the most important step in the development of clinical medicine in space.

Abstract document

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