[Pathogenetic mechanisms of the so-called astronauts' anemia]

The authors analyze the literature data published in the last 20 years on clinical, laboratory, physiological, hematological and biochemical evidence obtained at preflight and postflight examinations of astronauts and experimental animals who spent 5-12 months in space. After space flights the astronauts exhibited a noticeable decrease in red cell mass, in reticulocyte count, hemoglobin and erythropoietin levels (associated with hypochromia and hyposideremia). This condition of erythron in microgravity is termed astronauts' anemia. The authors consider such anemia as an adaptive erythrocytopenic microgravity syndrome with complicated pathogenesis and suggest its model in the form of acquired transitory thalassemia.