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Related Experiment Videos

Urinary albumin in space missions.

Massimo Cirillo1, Natale G De Santo, Martina Heer

  • 1Nephrology-Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy. massimo.cirillo@unina2.it

Journal of Gravitational Physiology : a Journal of the International Society for Gravitational Physiology
|March 9, 2004
PubMed
Summary

Astronauts showed lower urinary albumin levels during space missions compared to ground controls. This finding suggests weightlessness may reduce proteinuria, a potential indicator of kidney health during spaceflight.

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Area of Science:

  • Space medicine
  • Renal physiology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Proteinuria, or protein in urine, is a potential concern for astronauts.
  • Limited data exists on urinary protein excretion during space missions.
  • Urinary albumin serves as a key biomarker for proteinuria.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate changes in urinary albumin excretion in astronauts during space missions.
  • To determine if microgravity affects proteinuria.
  • To assess the potential for reduced kidney stress in space.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of frozen urine samples from astronauts on MIR space station missions.
  • Comparison with urine samples collected from the same astronauts on Earth (control).
  • Measurement of 24-hour urinary albumin using a double antibody radioimmunoassay.

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Main Results:

  • Average 24-hour urinary albumin excretion was 27.4% lower in space compared to ground conditions.
  • The observed decrease in urinary albumin was statistically significant.
  • This indicates a reduction in proteinuria during spaceflight.

Conclusions:

  • Spaceflight, specifically weightlessness, may lead to decreased urinary albumin excretion.
  • Reduced proteinuria could be an adaptive response to microgravity.
  • Further research is needed to understand the long-term implications for astronaut kidney health.