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The Risk of Renal Stone Formation During and After Long Duration Space FlightBACKGROUND: The formation of a renal stone during space flight may have serious negative effects on the health of the crewmember and the success of the mission. Urinary biochemical factors and the influence of dietary factors associated with renal stone development were assessed during long duration Mir Space Station missions.

METHODS: Twenty-four-hour urine samples were collected prior to, during and following long duration space flight. The relative urinary supersaturation of calcium oxalate, calcium phosphate (brushite), sodium urate, struvite and uric acid were determined.

RESULTS: Changes in the urinary biochemistry of crewmembers during long duration spaceflight demonstrated increases in the supersaturation of the stone-forming salts. In-flight hypercalciuria was evident in a number of individual crewmembers and 24-hour dietary fluid intake and urine volume were significantly lower. During flight, there was a significant increase in brushite supersaturation.

CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest acute effects of space flight and postflight changes in the urinary biochemistry favoring increased crystallization in the urine. The effects of dietary intake, especially fluid intake, may have a significant impact on the potential for renal stone formation. Efforts are now underway to assess the efficacy of a countermeasure to mitigate the increased risk.
Document ID
20040088732
Acquisition Source
Johnson Space Center
Document Type
Accepted Manuscript (Version with final changes)
Authors
Peggy A Whitson
(Johnson Space Center Houston, Texas, United States)
Robert A Pietrzyk,
(Wyle (United States) El Segundo, California, United States)
Boris V. Morukov
(Institute of Biomedical Problems Moscow, Russia)
Clarence F. Sams
(Johnson Space Center Houston, Texas, United States)
Date Acquired
August 21, 2013
Publication Date
October 10, 2001
Publication Information
Publication: Nephron
Publisher: Karger Publishers
Volume: 89
Issue: 3
Issue Publication Date: November 1, 2001
ISSN: 0028-2766
e-ISSN: 2235-3186
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NASA 111-30-10-11
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Portions of document may include copyright protected material.
Keywords
manned
Flight Experiment
long duration
NASA Discipline Regulatory Physiology
Mir Project
NASA Center JSC
NASA Experiment Number 9401651
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