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Cytotoxic Effects of Re-Activated Lunar Dust Stimulant on Human Lung CellsLunar dust has been of significant concern due to various problems observed on the Apollo missions. Reports from astronauts have shown that the dust may have caused eye and nasal irritation as well as possible hay fever like symptoms. As NASA hopes to go to the Moon within the next few years, we hope to understand the possible toxic effects the dust might have. In these studies, we are looking at the effect of "re-activated" lunar dust stimulant on human bronchial cells. A simple grinding analog as a method of simulating micrometeorite crushing on the moon is used to "activate" the dust stimulant, i.e. capable of producing hydroxyl radicals. These radicals could then interact with human cells and may lead to a loss in membrane integrity and cell death. (Castranova, 1994) Cells are exposed to the dust for 6 and 24 hour intervals to assess cytotoxicity. Cytotoxicity is measured by looking at the production of inflammatory cytokines. Cells are exposed to ground and unground stimulant and compared to cytokine production from cells exposed to quartz which have a known toxicity. Here we look at the cytotoxicity of the lunar dust stimulant relative to quartz by measuring the production of inflammatory cytokines.
Document ID
20090026547
Acquisition Source
Johnson Space Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Upadhyaya, Krishna
(NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Date Acquired
August 24, 2013
Publication Date
July 22, 2009
Subject Category
Aerospace Medicine
Report/Patent Number
JSC-CN-18617
Meeting Information
Meeting: SF Student Presentation
Location: Houston, TX
Country: United States
Start Date: July 22, 2009
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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