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Experiment K-7-18: Effects of Spaceflight in the Muscle Adductor Longus of Rats Flown in the Soviet Biosatellite Cosmos 2044The effects of spaceflight upon the 'slow' muscle adductor longus was examined in rats flown in the Soviet Biosatellite COSMOS 2044. Three groups - synchronous, vivarium and basal served as controls. The techniques employed included standard methods for light microscopy, N-CAM immunocytochemistry and electron microscopy. Light microscopic observations revealed myofiber atrophy, contraction bands and segmental necrosis accompanied by cellular infiltrates composed of macrophages, leucocytes and mononuclear cells. N-CAM immunoreactivity was seen (N-CAM-IR) on the myofiber surface, satellite cells and in regenerating myofibers reminiscent of myotubes. Ultrastructural alterations included Z band streaming, disorganization of myofibrillar architecture, sarcoplasmic degradation, extensive segmental necrosis with preservation of the basement membrane, degenerative phenomena of the capillary endothelium and cellular invasion of necrotic areas. Regenerating myofibers were identified by the presence of increased amounts of ribosomal aggregates and chains of polyribosomes associated with myofilaments that displayed varied distributive patterns. The principal electron microscopic changes of the neuromuscular junctions consisted of a decrease or absence of synaptic vesicles, degeneration of axon terminals, increased number of microtubules, vacant axonal spaces and axonal sprouting. The present observations indicate that major alterations such as myofibrillar disruption and necrosis, muscle regeneration and denervation and synaptic remodeling at the level of the neuromuscular junction may take place during spaceflight.
Document ID
19960028992
Acquisition Source
Ames Research Center
Document Type
Other
Authors
Daunton, N. G.
(NASA Moffett Field, CA United States)
DAmelio, F.
(NASA Moffett Field, CA United States)
Wu, L.
(NASA Moffett Field, CA United States)
Ilyina-Kakueva, E. I.
(Institute of Biomedical Problems Moscow, USSR)
Krasnov, I. B.
(Institute of Biomedical Problems Moscow, USSR)
Hyde, T. M.
(National Inst. of Mental Health Bethesda, MD United States)
Sigworth, S. K.
(National Inst. of Mental Health Bethesda, MD United States)
Date Acquired
August 17, 2013
Publication Date
September 1, 1994
Publication Information
Publication: US Experiments Flown on the Soviet Biosatellite Cosmos 2044
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Accession Number
96N29587
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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