Parabolic flight induces site specific microbiome changes in women

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Space Medicine
• Women's Health

Background:

• The vaginal microbiome is crucial for women's health, influencing immunity and infection prevention.
• Spaceflight and analogs induce physiological stress, potentially altering host-microbiome interactions.
• Female-specific microbiome changes in space medicine remain under-explored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of parabolic flight, a spaceflight analog, on the vaginal and oral microbiomes.
• To assess changes in taxonomic composition and metabolic pathways in response to spaceflight stress.
• To correlate microbiome alterations with host stress markers.

Main Methods:

• Metagenomic shotgun sequencing of vaginal and oral samples pre- and post-parabolic flight.
• Bioinformatic analysis using KneadData, MetaPhlAn, and HUMAnN.
• Integration of microbiome data with host stress parameters (cortisol, cytokines, urinary SCFAs).

Main Results:

• Parabolic flight minimally impacted the oral microbiome but significantly altered the vaginal microbiome.
• Vaginal microbiome restructuring showed increased Firmicutes and Lactobacillus species (e.g., L. crispatus).
• Significant metabolic pathway changes were observed in the vaginal microbiome, including fatty acid and nucleotide metabolism, unlike the oral microbiome. Urinary acetate, butyrate, and valeric acid decreased, while salivary cortisol increased.

Conclusions:

• Parabolic flight induces body site-specific microbiome changes, with greater impact on the vaginal microbiome.
• The vaginal microbial ecosystem is sensitive to spaceflight stressors.
• Further research is needed to understand the long-term implications of these changes for astronauts.