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Elevated stress hormone levels relate to Epstein-Barr virus reactivation in astronautsOBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the effects of stress and spaceflight on levels of neuroendocrine hormones and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-specific antibodies in astronauts. METHODS: Antiviral antibody titers and stress hormones were measured in plasma samples collected from 28 astronauts at their annual medical exam (baseline), 10 days before launch (L-10), landing day (R+0), and 3 days after landing (R+3). Urinary stress hormones were also measured at L-10 and R+0. RESULTS: Significant increases (p <.01) in EBV virus capsid antigen antibodies were found at all three time points (L-10, R+0, and R+3) as compared with baseline samples. Anti-EBV nuclear antigen antibodies were significantly decreased at L-10 (p <.05) and continued to decrease after spaceflight (R+0 and R+3, p <.01). No changes were found in antibodies to the nonlatent measles virus. The 11 astronauts who showed evidence of EBV reactivation had significant increases in urinary epinephrine and norepinephrine as compared with astronauts without EBV reactivation. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that physical and psychological stresses associated with spaceflight resulted in decreased virus-specific T-cell immunity and reactivation of EBV.
Document ID
20040088623
Acquisition Source
Johnson Space Center
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Stowe, R. P.
(University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston, TX 77555-0609, United States)
Pierson, D. L.
Barrett, A. D.
Date Acquired
August 21, 2013
Publication Date
November 1, 2001
Publication Information
Publication: Psychosomatic medicine
Volume: 63
Issue: 6
ISSN: 0033-3174
Subject Category
Behavioral Sciences
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
NASA Center JSC
manned
Non-NASA Center
short duration
Flight Experiment
STS Shuttle Project
NASA Discipline Environmental Health

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