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A potential cause for kidney stone formation during space flights: enhanced growth of nanobacteria in microgravityBACKGROUND: Although some information is available regarding the cellular/molecular changes in immune system exposed to microgravity, little is known about the reasons of the increase in the kidney stone formation in astronauts during and/or after long duration missions at zero gravity (0 g). In our earlier studies, we have assessed a unique agent, nanobacteria (NB), in kidney stones and hypothesized that NB have an active role in calcium phosphate-carbonate deposition in kidney. In this research we studied effect of microgravity on multiplication and calcification of NB in vitro. METHODS: We examined NB cultures in High Aspect Rotating Vessels (HARVs) designed at the NASA's Johnson Space Center, which are designed to stimulate some aspects of microgravity. Multiplication rate and calcium phosphate composition of those NB were compared with NB cultured on stationary and shaker flasks. Collected aliquots of the cultures from different incubation periods were analyzed using spectrophotometer, SEM, TEM, EDX, and x-ray diffraction techniques. RESULTS: The results showed that NB multiplied 4.6x faster in HARVs compared to stationary cultures, and 3.2x faster than shaker flask conditions. X-ray diffraction and EDX analysis showed that the degree of apatite crystal formation and the properties of the apatite depend on the specific culture conditions used. CONCLUSION: We now report an increased multiplication rate of NB in microgravity-simulated conditions. Thus, NB infection may have a potential role in kidney stone formation in crew members during space flights. For further proof to this hypothesis, screening of the NB antigen and antibody level in flight crew before and after flight would be necessary.
Document ID
20050184757
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Ciftcioglu, Neva
(NASA Headquarters Washington, DC United States)
Haddad, Ruwaida S.
Golden, D. C.
Morrison, Dennis R.
McKay, David S.
Date Acquired
August 23, 2013
Publication Date
February 1, 2005
Publication Information
Publication: Kidney international
Volume: 67
Issue: 2
ISSN: 0085-2538
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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