The use of suspension models and comparison with true weightlessness: "a resumé"

The topics for this workshop were selected to illustrate the manner in which particular physiological and biochemical phenomena can be assessed using specific animal model systems. Our speakers presented data which offer comparisons of experiments in earthside laboratories with experiments using subjects which have experienced weightlessness in response to orbital flight. In addition, there have been speculative assertions that the earthside experiments mimic or simulate responses which one may expect to see with exposure to micro or zero gravity conditions. The topics focused on at least three areas that appear to be amenable to earthside investigations; in addition, they serve as primary areas for flight experimentation. As the result of animal and human exposures to microgravity experienced during orbital space flight, there is ample evidence of pathophysiological functional and structural alterations in muscle, bone, cardiovascular and related body fluid shift responses. This Animal Model Workshop represents the first of a series of sessions planned for further meetings of the IUPS Commission on Gravitational Physiology.