[Osteoporosis and genes in space environment]

Based on observations of extreme and accelerated loss of bone density in astronauts flying on longer space missions, scientists coordinated by the European Space Agency, ESA, have since the mid 1990'ies been focusing on potential causes for this alarming finding. The experimental conditions on board space craft are however very restrictive, for which reason research into human physiology in the space environment has gone its own ways regarding how to create solid and statistically significant data. Space observations can profit markedly from ground-based simulations studies, and some interesting data on countermeasures against loss of bone matter, that have been tested in the recently completed 90-days bed rest study, are reported here. Paired with information on different phenotypes observed in such studies, the data reported looks very promising. This bed rest study has generated a set of extremely interesting data, which in terms of resolution and quality allows the researchers to consider this study as a significant step ahead, and as a crucial steppingstone in defining the next round of space based studies of bone metabolism. In addition the findings in the bed rest study are directly applicable to long-term bed ridden patients in terms of the need to maintain activity as a means to improve the recovery prognosis.