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Spaceflight effects on biomechanical and biochemical properties of rat vertebraeThe biomechanical and biochemical responses of lumbar vertebral bodies during a 12.5-day spaceflight (Cosmos 1887 biosatellite) were determined for rapidly growing rats (90-day-old, Czechoslovakian-Wistar). By use of age-matched vivarium controls (normal cage environment) and synchronous controls (simulated flight conditions), as well as a basal control group (killed before lift-off on the 1st day of flight), the combined influences of growth and space-flight could be examined. Centra of the sixth lumbar vertebrae (L6) were compressed to 50% strain at a fast strain rate while immersed in physiological buffer (37 degrees C). The body masses of vivarium and synchronous controls were significantly heavier than either the flight or basal controls. The flight group had an L6 vertebral body compressional stiffness that was 39% less than the vivarium controls, 47% less than the synchronous control, and 16% less than the basal controls. In addition, the average initial maximum load of the flight L6 was 22% less than vivarium controls and 18% less than the synchronous controls, whereas the linear compressional load of the flight group averaged 34% less than the vivarium and 25% less than the synchronous groups. The structural properties of the vertebrae from the 12.5-day-younger basal group closely resembled the flight vertebrae. Calcium, phosphorous, and hydroxyproline concentrations were not significantly different among the groups. Nevertheless, the lack of strength and stiffness development in spaceflight, coupled with a smaller proportion of mature hydroxypyridinoline cross-links, suggested that the 12.5 days of spaceflight slowed the maturation of trabecular bone in the vertebral bodies of rapidly growing rats.
Document ID
20050000872
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Zernicke, R. F.
(University of California Los Angeles, 90024-1568)
Vailas, A. C.
Grindeland, R. E.
Kaplansky, A.
Salem, G. J.
Martinez, D. A.
Date Acquired
August 22, 2013
Publication Date
June 1, 1990
Publication Information
Publication: The American journal of physiology
Volume: 258
Issue: 6 Pt 2
ISSN: 0002-9513
Subject Category
Aerospace Medicine
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: RR-7009
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
Non-NASA Center
NASA Discipline Number 00-00
NASA Discipline Musculoskeletal
unmanned
NASA Experiment Number COS 1887-24
NASA Program Space Physiology and Countermeasures
short duration
Flight Experiment
NASA Discipline Number 26-10
NASA Center ARC
Cosmos 1887 Project
NASA Program Flight

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