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Microgravity and immune responsiveness: implications for space travel.

Andrea T Borchers1, Carl L Keen, M Eric Gershwin

  • 1Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of California at Davis School of Medicine, Davis, California 95616, USA.

Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif.)
|October 4, 2002
PubMed
Summary

Space travel alters astronauts' immune systems, with significant variability due to mission stressors and methods. Long-term spaceflight may lead to immune compromise.

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Area of Science:

  • Space medicine
  • Immunology
  • Human physiology

Background:

  • Limited understanding of immune system adaptation in astronauts and cosmonauts.
  • Observed changes in immune parameters during and after space flight, with high variability between missions and individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and synthesize existing literature on immune responses during space flight.
  • To identify factors contributing to the variability of immune changes in astronauts.
  • To explore the implications of these changes for long-term space travel.

Main Methods:

  • Comprehensive literature search of 335 papers (1972-2002).
  • Keywords included: immune response, microgravity, astronauts/cosmonauts, isolation, gravity, human health.
  • Analysis of immune parameters, stress hormones, and methodological differences.

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Main Results:

  • Methodological differences contribute to discrepancies in study outcomes.
  • Mission stressors and stress hormone levels significantly modulate immune responses.
  • Data suggests potential immune-compromised state with prolonged space travel.

Conclusions:

  • Variability in astronaut immune response is influenced by mission specifics and stress.
  • Further research needed to correlate hormonal and immunological data.
  • Long-duration space missions may pose risks due to immune system alterations.