Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Microgravity as a model of ageing.

Gianni Biolo1, Martina Heer, Marco Narici

  • 1Department of Clinical, Morphological and Technological Sciences, Division of Internal Medicine, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy. biolo@units.it

Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care
|December 24, 2002
PubMed
Summary

Aging and microgravity share common physiological effects, including bone and muscle atrophy. Studying these changes in space offers unique insights into the aging process and potential recovery mechanisms.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Vitamin D at hospital admission as an independent predictor of outcome of sepsis patients: Results of a secondary analysis from a "Need-Speed" trial prospective cohort.

European journal of internal medicine·2026
Same author

Correction: Management of patients with protein s deficiency: focus on clinical course and direct oral anticoagulants.

Thrombosis journal·2026
Same author

Effects of microgravity on human physiology.

Progress in biophysics and molecular biology·2026
Same author

Sustaining Muscle, Cardiovascular Health, and the Environment: Is Plant-Based Protein the Key?

Nutrients·2026
Same author

Bed rest decreases resting skeletal muscle O<sub>2</sub> uptake and resting energy expenditure in young and elderly subjects.

Experimental physiology·2026
Same author

Muscle atrophy after ACL reconstruction involves molecular mechanisms beyond unloading.

Journal of applied physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985)·2026

Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Space Medicine
  • Physiology

Background:

  • Aging and spaceflight present significant challenges to human health and longevity.
  • Both aging and microgravity induce undesirable physiological changes.
  • Understanding these shared effects is crucial for astronaut health and aging research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the effects of microgravity and aging on endocrine, metabolic, immune, and musculoskeletal systems.
  • To identify common mechanisms underlying physiological changes in aging and spaceflight.
  • To draw analogies between aging and microgravity to enhance understanding of both phenomena.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of physiological changes observed in aging and microgravity.
  • Review of scientific literature on the effects of spaceflight and aging on human systems.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Drawing analogies between space-related and age-related physiological alterations.

    • Main Results:

    • Common features include hypothyroidism, increased stress hormones, decreased sex steroids, insulin resistance, and impaired anabolic response.
    • Both conditions result in progressive bone and muscle atrophy, impacting mobility and function.
    • Skeletal muscle exhibits weakness, architectural alterations, and changes in tendon mechanical properties.

    Conclusions:

    • Microgravity serves as a unique model for gerontological research due to its resemblance to aging-related changes.
    • Space-related physiological changes are often reversible upon return to Earth, offering insights into aging recovery.
    • Investigating these parallels aids in understanding aging development and recovery processes.