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Biochemical and hematologic changes after short-term space flightClinical laboratory data from blood samples obtained from astronauts before and after 28 flights (average duration = 6 days) of the Space Shuttle were analyzed by the paired t-test and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test and compared with data from the Skylab flights (duration approximately 28, 59, and 84 days). Angiotensin I and aldosterone were elevated immediately after short-term space flights, but the response of angiotensin I was delayed after Skylab flights. Serum calcium was not elevated after Shuttle flights, but magnesium and uric acid decreased after both Shuttle and Skylab. Creatine phosphokinase in serum was reduced after Shuttle but not Skylab flights, probably because exercises to prevent deconditioning were not performed on the Shuttle. Total cholesterol was unchanged after Shuttle flights, but low density lipoprotein cholesterol increased and high density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased. The concentration of red blood cells was elevated after Shuttle flights and reduced after Skylab flights. Reticulocyte count was decreased after both short- and long-term flights, indicating that a reduction in red blood cell mass is probably more closely related to suppression of red cell production than to an increase in destruction of erythrocytes. Serum ferritin and number of platelets were also elevated after Shuttle flights. In determining the reasons for postflight differences between the shorter and longer flights, it is important to consider not only duration but also countermeasures, differences between spacecraft, and procedures for landing and egress.
Document ID
20040112146
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Leach, C. S.
(NASA Johnson Space Center Houston TX United States)
Date Acquired
August 21, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1992
Publication Information
Publication: Microgravity quarterly : MGQ
Volume: 2
Issue: 2
ISSN: 0958-5036
Subject Category
Aerospace Medicine
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
NASA Program Flight
short duration
Review
long duration
manned
STS Shuttle Project
Skylab Project
NASA Center JSC
Review, Tutorial
NASA Discipline Regulatory Physiology
Flight Experiment
NASA Discipline Number 18-10
NASA Discipline Number 00-00
NASA Program Space Physiology and Countermeasures

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