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Calcium metabolism in microgravity.

M Heer1, N Kamps, C Biener

  • 1DLR-Institute of Aerospace Medicine, D-51170 Cologne, Germany. heer@pbmail.me.kp.dlr.de

European Journal of Medical Research
|September 8, 1999
PubMed
Summary
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Spaceflight causes bone density loss, similar to osteoporosis. High calcium and vitamin D intake during missions is essential but does not prevent space osteoporosis, highlighting unique challenges for astronaut bone health.

Area of Science:

  • Space medicine
  • Bone metabolism
  • Astronaut health

Background:

  • Microgravity and immobilization lead to bone demineralization, a primary cause of space osteoporosis.
  • Astronauts can experience 1%-1.6% bone mineral density reduction in key areas during 4.5-6 month missions, with potential losses up to 14% in the femoral neck.
  • Space osteoporosis poses a significant risk for long-duration spaceflight, including missions to Mars.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of high calcium intake and vitamin D supplementation on calcium and bone metabolism during space missions.
  • To compare the bone loss patterns in spaceflight to terrestrial conditions like postmenopausal osteoporosis and Anorexia Nervosa.
  • To assess the efficacy of nutritional interventions in mitigating space osteoporosis.

Main Methods:

Related Experiment Videos

  • Analysis of astronaut bone mineral density using Dual Energy X-ray Absorption (DEXA).
  • Monitoring of bone turnover biomarkers during space missions.
  • An experiment during the MIR 97 mission involving high calcium (>1000 mg/d) and vitamin D (650 IU/d) supplementation for 21 days in microgravity.

Main Results:

  • Bone unloading in microgravity significantly impacts calcium and bone metabolism.
  • High calcium and vitamin D intake in the MIR 97 mission resulted in elevated ionized calcium and decreased calcitriol levels.
  • These nutritional interventions led to decreased bone formation and increased bone resorption markers, despite adequate intake.

Conclusions:

  • Adequate calcium and vitamin D intake are mandatory for astronauts during space missions.
  • Unlike on Earth, these supplements do not effectively counteract the development of space osteoporosis under microgravity conditions.
  • Other factors like stress, nutrition, fluid shifts, and bone perfusion also contribute to space osteoporosis, requiring further investigation.