Related Experiment Videos
[The interstitial organ in weightlessness: a clinico-physiologic model]
H Hinghofer-Szalkay1, V B Noskov
1Arbeitsgruppe für Volumenregulation und Weltraummedizin, Karl-Franzens-Universität, Graz, Osterreich.
Wiener Medizinische Wochenschrift (1946)
|January 1, 1993
Summary
Microgravity alters venous blood and plasma sound velocity dynamics. Unexpected postflight elevations suggest microgravity adaptation profoundly influences tissue fluid exchange, requiring further study.
Area of Science:
- Space physiology
- Fluid dynamics
Context:
- Austromir mission 1991 experiment.
- Measurements taken preflight, inflight, and postflight.
Purpose:
- Measure changes in venous blood sound velocity (BSV) and plasma sound velocity (PSV) using lower body negative pressure (LBNP).
- Investigate the influence of microgravity adaptation on fluid exchange dynamics.
- Determine levels of volume- and stress-sensitive hormones.
Summary:
- Contrary to Earth-based studies, inflight LBNP did not increase BSV or PSV.
- Postflight, BSV and PSV showed a greater than expected elevation.
- Combined with other spaceflight data, this suggests microgravity adaptation significantly impacts tissue fluid exchange.
Impact:
- Proposes a new hypothesis on microgravity's effect on fluid regulation.
- Highlights the need for further spaceflight data to validate findings.
- Contributes to understanding interstitial organ function and pathophysiology in altered gravity.