[Changes of serum alkaline phosphatase and electrolytes during 21 d head down bed-rest]

Objective. To investigate the effect of simulated weightlessness on serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), calcium, magnesium, chlorine and phosphorus. Method. 6 healthy males, aged 24.8 +/- 6.1, were exposed to -6 degrees HDT bed rest for 21 d. Activity of serum alkaline phosphatase, serum contents of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), chlorine (Cl) and phosphorus (P) ions were assayed before HDT (d-3), on the 3rd, 10th and 21st day during HDT and after HDT (d+2). Ca was measured by methyl thymol blue method, P was determined with ultraviolet spectrophotography, determination of Mg and Cl were made with enzyme method, ALP was examined with 4-nitrobenzene phosphate method. Result. Serum Ca2+ levels were significantly higher at d10, d2l and d+2 than the value of d-3 (P<0.01). P3+ levels declined significantly on d2l as compared with d-3 (P<0.01). During the HDT and after HDT, Mg2+ declined to a level below that before HDT (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Cl- were significantly higher at d2l and d+2 than the value of d-3 (P<0.01). ALP level was higher on d2l than on d-3 (P<0.01). Conclusion. 21 d HDT induced increase of Ca, Cl, ALP, and decline of Mg and P. The changes may reflect the imbalance of metabolism.