Journal of Applied Physiology Millar Instruments
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH
 QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     


J Appl Physiol (December 12, 2008). doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.91136.2008
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow All Versions of this Article:
107/1/54    most recent
91136.2008v1
Right arrow Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when eLetters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Zwart, S. R.
Right arrow Articles by Smith, S. M.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Zwart, S. R.
Right arrow Articles by Smith, S. M.
Submitted on August 19, 2008
Revised on November 21, 2008
Accepted on December 1, 2008

Effects of 21 days of bed rest, with or without artificial gravity, on nutritional status of humans

Sara R. Zwart1, Glenda E. Crawford2, Patricia L. Gillman2, Geeta Kala2, A. Shanna Rodgers2, Ann Rogers2, Astrid M. Inniss3, Barbara L. Rice2, Karen Ericson4, Stephen Coburn4, YaVonne Bourbeau2, Edgar Hudson5, Grace Mathew2, Diane E. DeKerlegand2, Clarence F. Sams6, Martina A. Heer7, William H. Paloski8, and Scott M. Smith9*

1 Universities Space Research Association
2 Enterprise Advisory Services, Inc.
3 University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston
4 Indiana University-Purdue University
5 JES Tech
6 DLR (German Aerospace Center)-Institute of Aerospace Medicine
7 German Aerospace Center (DLR)
8 NASA Johnson Space Center
9 NASA Johnson Space Center, USA

* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: scott.m.smith{at}nasa.gov.

Spaceflight and bed rest models of microgravity have profound effects on physiological systems, including the cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and immune systems. These effects can be exacerbated by sub-optimal nutrient status, and therefore it is critical to monitor nutritional status when evaluating countermeasures to mitigate negative effects of spaceflight. As part of a larger study to investigate the usefulness of artificial gravity as a countermeasure for musculoskeletal and cardiovascular deficits during bed rest, we tested the hypothesis that artificial gravity would have an effect on some aspects of nutritional status. Dietary intake was recorded daily before, during, and after 21 days of bed rest with artificial gravity (n = 8) or bed rest alone (n = 7). We examined body composition, hematology, general blood chemistry, markers of oxidative damage, and blood levels of selected vitamins and minerals before, during, and after the bed rest period. Several indicators of vitamin status changed in response to diet changes: serum {alpha}- and {gamma}-tocopherol and urinary 4-pyridoxic acid decreased (P < 0.001), and plasma {beta}-carotene increased (P < 0.001) in both groups during bed rest compared to before bed rest. A decrease in hematocrit (P < 0.001) after bed rest was accompanied by a decrease in transferrin (P < 0.001), but transferrin receptors were not changed. These data provide evidence that artificial gravity itself does not negatively affect nutritional status during bed rest. Likewise, artificial gravity has no protective effect on nutritional status during bed rest.




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
J. Appl. Physiol.Home page
S. M. Smith, S. R. Zwart, M. A. Heer, N. Baecker, H. J. Evans, A. H. Feiveson, L. C. Shackelford, and A. D. LeBlanc
Effects of artificial gravity during bed rest on bone metabolism in humans
J Appl Physiol, July 1, 2009; 107(1): 47 - 53.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Appl. Physiol.Home page
T. B. Symons, M. Sheffield-Moore, D. L. Chinkes, A. A. Ferrando, and D. Paddon-Jones
Artificial gravity maintains skeletal muscle protein synthesis during 21 days of simulated microgravity
J Appl Physiol, July 1, 2009; 107(1): 34 - 38.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]




HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH
Visit Other APS Journals Online
Copyright © 1948 by the American Physiological Society.