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Collagen cross-link excretion during space flight and bed restExtended exposure to weightlessness results in bone loss. However, little information exists as to the precise nature or time course of this bone loss. Bone resorption results in the release of collagen breakdown products, including N-telopeptide and the pyridinium (PYD) cross-links, pyridinoline and deoxypyridinoline. Urinary pyridinoline and deoxypyridinoline are known to increase during bed rest. We assessed excretion of PYD cross-links and N-telopeptide before, during, and after long (28-day, 59-day, and 84-day) Skylab missions, as well as during short (14-day) and long (119-day) bed-rest studies. During space flight, the urinary cross-link excretion level was twice those observed before flight. Urinary excretion levels of the collagen breakdown products were also 40-50% higher, during short and long bed rest, than before. These results clearly show that the changes in bone metabolism associated with space flight involve increased resorption. The rate of response (i.e. within days to weeks) suggests that alterations in bone metabolism are an early effect of weightlessness. These studies are important for a better understanding of bone metabolism in space crews and in those who are bedridden.
Document ID
20040142218
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Smith, S. M.
(NASA Johnson Space Center Houston TX United States)
Nillen, J. L.
Leblanc, A.
Lipton, A.
Demers, L. M.
Lane, H. W.
Leach, C. S.
LeBlanc, A.
Date Acquired
August 22, 2013
Publication Date
October 1, 1998
Publication Information
Publication: The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism
Volume: 83
Issue: 10
ISSN: 0021-972X
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
NASA Center JSC
NASA Experiment Number M073
Skylab 2 Project
NASA Discipline Regulatory Physiology
Skylab 4 Project
short duration
Flight Experiment
Non-NASA Center
long duration
manned
Skylab 3 Project

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