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[Evaluation of the liver functional changes due to modeling the hemodynamic effects of microgravity in bed rest
Abstract:
Ultrasonic investigations of 8 male volunteers for bed rest at -15 degrees showed plethora in peritoneal veins and slow blood flow through the liver with no effect on biochemical parameters. Breath test with 100 mg of 13C-methacetine (MBT) pointed to diminution of the metabolic capacity and decline of the hepatic detoxification activity due to the hemodynamic effects. MBT can be used as a nonintrusive method for diagnosing functional changes in the liver induced by hemodynamic developments in microgravity and other situations triggering similar hemodynamic mechanisms.

