Effects of microgravity on the composition of the intervertebral disk

The lumbar annuli of rats flown on COSMOS 2044 were compared with those of three control groups and a tail-suspension experimental model. The wet and dry weights of the annuli were significantly smaller (P less than 0.05) in the flight group than in three control groups. The collagen-to-proteoglycan ratio was significantly greater (P less than 0.001) in the flight group than in the three control groups, but there were no detectable changes in the relative proportions of type I and II collagen or in the number of pyridinoline cross-links. When the annuli were immersed in water for 2 h, more proteoglycans (P less than 0.001) leached from the annuli of flown rats than from the tissue of control animals, suggesting abnormal or smaller proteoglycans. Safranin-O indicated a normal spatial distribution of the proteoglycans within the annulus. Tail suspension did not affect the size of the annuli, but more proteoglycans (P less than 0.05) leached from the tissue of suspended animals than from the normal annuli. The reasons for smaller disks and the abnormal ratio between the fibrous collagenous network and the proteoglycan gel in the flight group are unknown at this time. It is, however, probable that these changes may affect the biomechanical functions of the annulus, although they may be temporary and totally reversible if injuries are avoided in the interim period.