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Spaceflight affects postnatal development of the aortic wall in rats
Shin-ichiro Katsuda1, Masao Yamasaki2, Hidefumi Waki3
1Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, Fukushima Medical University, 1 Hikari-ga-oka, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan.
Biomed Research International
|September 12, 2014
Summary
Spaceflight microgravity impacts rat aorta development, reducing wall thickness and smooth muscle cells. This affects rheological properties, causing plastic deformation, unlike ground controls.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular research
- Space biology
- Developmental biology
Background:
- The effects of microgravity on developing cardiovascular systems are not fully understood.
- Postnatal development involves significant structural and functional changes in the aorta.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of spaceflight-induced microgravity on the rheological and morphological properties of the aorta during postnatal development in rats.
Main Methods:
- Rats were exposed to microgravity for 16 days starting at 9 days of age.
- Aortic wall strips underwent stress-strain and stress-relaxation tests.
- Histological analysis examined wall thickness, smooth muscle, elastin, and collagen fiber content.
Main Results:
- Spaceflight rats showed significantly reduced aortic wall tensile force, thickness, and smooth muscle cell count.
- No significant differences were observed in wall stress, elastic modulus, elastin, or collagen content between groups.
- Plastic deformation was uniquely observed in the spaceflight group during stress-strain testing.
Conclusions:
- Microgravity during spaceflight adversely affects the postnatal development of aortic morphological and rheological properties.
- Reduced smooth muscle cell count is a primary factor in decreased aortic wall thickness under microgravity.
- These findings highlight potential long-term cardiovascular risks associated with space travel.
