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    Area of Science:

    • Space medicine
    • Neuroscience
    • Bone physiology

    Background:

    • Microgravity exposure poses risks to astronaut health, including bone loss, nausea, and fatigue.
    • Fluctuations in plasma serotonin levels on Earth are linked to these physiological changes.
    • The role of serotonin metabolism in space remains unclear.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the correlation between plasma serotonin levels and bone density changes.
    • To utilize the hindlimb unloading (HU) mouse model as an analog for microgravity-induced bone loss.
    • To assess the impact of simulated microgravity on serotonin levels in mice.

    Main Methods:

    • The hindlimb unloading (HU) model was employed for 30 days to simulate microgravity.
    • Plasma serotonin levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at 1, 15, and 30 days.
    • Microcomputed tomography was used to analyze femur structural changes and correlate them with serotonin levels.

    Main Results:

    • Plasma serotonin levels were significantly elevated in HU mice at all measured timepoints compared to control mice.
    • A 2.5-fold increase in plasma serotonin was observed in HU mice between days 15-30, versus a 1.87-fold increase in normal mice.
    • Elevated plasma serotonin correlated with significant cortical and trabecular bone loss in the HU mouse model.

    Conclusions:

    • The HU mouse model demonstrates that elevated plasma serotonin is associated with microgravity-induced bone loss.
    • Targeting serotonin pathways may offer a novel therapeutic strategy for mitigating bone loss in astronauts.
    • Serotonin receptor antagonists could be a safer alternative to bisphosphonates for preserving bone health in space.