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[Scatological investigations during 105-day isolation]
Aviakosmicheskaia I Ekologicheskaia Meditsina = Aerospace and Environmental Medicine
|June 17, 2011
Summary
Scatological analysis of gastrointestinal function during a 105-day isolation experiment revealed pancreas and liver dysfunction. These changes normalized post-experiment, indicating a functional origin during simulated space exploration.
Area of Science:
- Space medicine
- Gastroenterology
- Human physiology
Background:
- Simulated space exploration requires understanding physiological adaptations.
- Gastrointestinal (GI) function is crucial for astronaut health.
- Scatological data offers insights into GI health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To reconstruct gastrointestinal functioning dynamics during a simulated exploration mission.
- To identify GI deviations indicative of physiological stress.
- To assess the functional origin of observed GI changes.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of scatological data from volunteers.
- Data collected before, during (days 16, 35, 45, 60, 90), and after a 105-day isolation experiment.
- Controlled environment simulating an exploration vehicle.
Main Results:
- Detected deviations in GI function, including pancreas excretory and liver biliary excretion hypofunction.
- Identified potential causes for intestinal dysfunction.
- Observed normalization of scatological parameters post-experiment.
Conclusions:
- Scatological investigations are valuable for detecting GI dysfunction in simulated exploration environments.
- Observed GI changes were functional and reversible.
- Findings support the importance of monitoring GI health during long-duration space missions.