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Effects of Space Missions on the Human Immune System: A Meta-AnalysisFuture spaceflight will require travelers to spend ever-increasing periods of time in microgravity. Optimal functioning of the immune system is of paramount importance for the health and performance of these travelers. A meta-analysis statistical procedure was used to analyze immune system data from crew members in United States and Soviet space missions from 8.5 to 140 days duration between 1968 and 1985. Ten immunological parameters (immunoglobulins A, G, M, D, white blood cell (WBC) count, number of lymphocytes, percent total lymphocytes, percent B lymphocytes, percent T lymphocytes, and lymphocyte reactivity to mitogen) were investigated using multifactorial, repeated measure analysis of variance. With the preflight level set at 100, WBC count increased to 154 +/- 14% (mean +/- SE; p less than or equal to 0.05) immediately after flight; there was a decrease in lymphocyte count (83 +/- 4%; p less than or equal to 0.05) and percent of total lymphocytes (69 +/- 1%; p less than or equal to 0.05) immediately after flight, with reduction in RNA synthesis to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) to 51 +/- 21% (p less than or equal to 0.05) and DNA synthesis to PHA to 61 +/- 8% (p less than or equal to 0.05) at the first postflight measurement. Thus, some cellular immunological functions are decreased significantly following spaceflight. More data are needed on astronauts' age, aerobic power output, and parameters of their exercise training program to determine if these immune system responses are due solely to microgravity exposure or perhaps to some other aspect of spaceflight.
Document ID
19970016033
Acquisition Source
Ames Research Center
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Greenleaf, J. E.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
Barger, L. K.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
Baldini, F.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
Huff, D.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
Date Acquired
August 17, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1995
Publication Information
Publication: Sports Medicine, Training, and Rehabilitation
Publisher: Harwood Academic Publishers G.m.b.H.
Volume: 5
Subject Category
Aerospace Medicine
Report/Patent Number
NASA-CR-204046
NAS 1.26:204046
Accession Number
97N71443
Funding Number(s)
PROJECT: RTOP 199-18-12-07
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
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