[Gravity assisted correction of the hypokinetic syndrome in primates]

In two series of experiments aimed at studying the possibility to alleviate the hypokinetic syndrome in primates with centrifuge-produced artificial gravity (AG) one group of animals was immobilized in the head-down position (HDI, -5 degrees) for 28 d and the other was immobilized and also subjected to regular centrifugation (HDI+AG). In the first series, the animals were rotated at 1.2-1.6 g (+Gz) for 30-40 min 5 times/wk and in the second series, at 1.2 g (+Gz) for 30 min 2 or 3 times/wk. AG abolished the HDI-induced locomotion and coordination disturbances within a short timeframe. Besides, it increased the lymphoid activity and erythropoiesis, and limited growth of haematocrit parameters and shifts in protein metabolism during rehabilitation. Centrifugation reduced amounts of extra-cellular fluids and circulating blood in leg muscles, atrophy of both types of muscle fibers, loss of fiber capillaries, and saved aerobic production of muscles. These effects were less deep in the first series. By the criterion of AG tolerance, centrifugation regime in the second series turned to be more favorable. According to these results, AG (+Gz) from 1.2 to 1.6 g can be used as a preventive to the hypokinetic syndrome in macaques (Macaca mulatta) with due precautions against negative cumulative effects of repeated rotation.