A fresh revelation indicates that space expeditions result in the diminishment of red blood cells and bone; however, when back on Earth, the body might utilize fat preserved in the bone marrow to recuperate these deficits. This investigation, integral to the MARROW project, could impact the handling of diseases such as anemia, osteoporosis, and other related conditions on our planet.
Space exploration leads to a reduction in red blood cells and bone mass, yet the fat in the bone marrow could present a remedy.
A study involving 14 astronauts reveals that, even though space journeys decrease the red blood cell number and bone mass, the body is capable of restoring these losses after returning to Earth, facilitated by the fat harbored in the bone marrow. The research, disclosed in Nature Communications, holds substantial consequences for health in both space and terrestrial environments.
Dr. Guy Trudel, the primary author of the study and a rehabilitation doctor and researcher at The Ottawa Hospital, as well as a professor at the University of Ottawa, stated, “We discovered that astronauts possessed markedly reduced fat in their bone marrow roughly a month after their return to Earth. We theorize that the body employs this fat to compensate for red blood cells and reconstruct bone lost during space exploration.”
Dr. Trudel’s study builds upon previous research showing that astronauts’ bodies eradicated 54 percent more red blood cells during space travel than on Earth, leading to a condition referred to as “space anemia.” This investigation is a constituent of MARROW, an Ottawa-based experiment focusing on bone marrow wellbeing and blood generation in space, supported by the Canadian Space Agency.
Dr. Trudel pointed out that although anemia is not an issue in the weightlessness of space, upon reentry to Earth or landing on other celestial bodies with gravity, anemia could hamper energy, endurance, and strength, possibly jeopardizing mission goals. “Understanding the precise control over this anemia may facilitate improved prevention and therapy,” he said.
This recent study incorporated MRI evaluations of the astronauts’ bone marrow at several intervals before and after a six-month tenure at the International Space Station. A 4.2 percent drop in bone marrow fat was detected about a month after reentry, but it gradually reverted to standard levels, coinciding with the enhanced production of red blood cells and bone restoration.
Dr. Trudel further noted, “Considering that red blood cells are generated in the bone marrow, and bone cells encircle the bone marrow, it logically follows that the body would consume the local bone marrow fat for energy to stimulate red blood cell and bone creation. We are eager to delve deeper into this in various clinical settings on Earth.”
The study also insinuates that younger astronauts might have a heightened ability to exploit energy from bone marrow fat, and female astronauts’ bone marrow fat may increase more than anticipated after one year.
As a rehabilitation medical professional, many of Dr. Trudel’s patients are anemic and have lost muscle and bone mass due to prolonged illness and restricted mobility. Anemia obstructs their capability to exercise and regain muscle and bone density. “I remain optimistic that this research will assist people in recuperating from immobility on Earth, as well as in space,” expressed Dr. Trudel. “Our findings could additionally illuminate diseases such as osteoporosis, metabolic syndrome, aging, and cancer, linked with the augmentation in bone marrow fat.”
Reference: “Bone marrow adiposity modulation after long duration spaceflight in astronauts” by Tammy Liu, Gerd Melkus, Tim Ramsay, Adnan Sheikh, Odette Laneuville, and Guy Trudel, 9 August 2023, Nature Communications. DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40572-8
For his work on space anemia, Dr. Trudel has been awarded the 2023 Compelling Results Award for Human Health in Space, a joint recognition by NASA, the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space, and the American Astronautical Society.
The MARROW investigation is sponsored by the Canadian Space Agency, along with support from Dr. Scott Smith and the NASA Biochemical Profile Protocol. Further backing comes from the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute and the University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine through the Ottawa Methods Centre and Blueprint Translational Research Group’s Excelerator program.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about space travel
What does the recent research about space travel reveal concerning red blood cells and bone density?
The research shows that space travel leads to a decrease in red blood cells and bone density. However, the body is capable of recovering these losses when back on Earth, utilizing fat stored in the bone marrow. This discovery has implications for the treatment of anemia, osteoporosis, and other related diseases on Earth.
What was the specific focus of the MARROW experiment in this study?
The MARROW experiment focused on studying bone marrow health and blood production in space. It was instrumental in understanding how the body uses bone marrow fat to replace red blood cells and rebuild bone lost during space travel.
How might this research impact health conditions both in space and on Earth?
The findings could have important implications for preventing and treating conditions like anemia and osteoporosis. In space, it could help manage what is known as “space anemia,” while on Earth, it might shed light on diseases associated with increases in bone marrow fat, like osteoporosis, metabolic syndrome, aging, and cancer.
What methods were used to conduct this study?
The study involved MRI scans of the astronauts’ bone marrow at multiple time points before and after a six-month mission at the International Space Station. The researchers observed a 4.2 percent decrease in bone marrow fat, which gradually returned to normal levels, associating with the increased production of red blood cells and bone restoration.
What does the research suggest about younger and female astronauts?
The research implies that younger astronauts may have an increased ability to harness energy from bone marrow fat. Moreover, female astronauts’ bone marrow fat may increase more than expected after a year, indicating potential differences in response to space travel based on age and gender.
Who funded and supported this research?
The research was part of the MARROW experiment and was funded by the Canadian Space Agency. Additional support was provided by the NASA Biochemical Profile Protocol, the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, and the University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine.
More about space travel
- Nature Communications
- Canadian Space Agency
- The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
- University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine
4 comments
Wow this is really somthing! Can’t beleive how much we’re learning about the body in space. The future of medicine could be changed by this.
its incredible to think that space travel could help us understand deseases on Earth! really hope this leads to better treatments for osteoporosis, My grandma suffers from it.
This research is just groundbreaking, I read the full paper in Nature. Its interesting to see the Canadian Space Agency involved too.
I don’t understand all the scientific stuff, but its clear that space is not the final frontier, but a new beginning. so much we can learn from astronauts, even about our own health!