[The effect of microgravity on osteogenic cells in culture. Ultrastructural research]

In order to estimate the influence of microgravity on osteogenic cells a comparative ultrastructural study of preosteoblastic cells of line MN7, cultivated in space and in ground conditions has been carried out. Morphometric analysis has revealed that in cells exposed during 9 days on board the biosatellite Cosmos 2229 endoplasmic reticulum was not so expensive and the number of myeline-like structures increased as compared to the ground control. Percentage of cells with nucleoli is lower in the flight samples as well. The increase in specific volume of lipid droplets and changed structure of mitochondria testifies to deviation in energy metabolism. The reaction of osteogenic cells to microgravity resulting in suppression of specific functions may contribute to alterations in the bone metabolism under the space flight conditions.