Aging and Fragility Biomarkers are Altered by Spaceflight
A new study published in the journal Nature Aging has found that spaceflight alters biomarkers of aging and frailty. The study was conducted by researchers at NASA’s Ames Research Center and the University of California, San Francisco.
The researchers analyzed blood samples from 14 astronauts who spent an average of six months on the International Space Station (ISS). They compared the astronauts’ blood samples to blood samples from a group of 14 healthy adults who remained on Earth.
The researchers found that the astronauts’ blood samples had higher levels of certain biomarkers of aging and frailty. These biomarkers included:
- p16INK4a: A protein that is involved in cellular senescence, a process that contributes to aging.
- IL-6: A cytokine that is involved in inflammation, which is also linked to aging.
- TNF-alpha: A cytokine that is involved in inflammation and tissue damage.
The researchers also found that the astronauts’ blood samples had lower levels of certain biomarkers of health and longevity. These biomarkers included:
- Klotho: A protein that is involved in regulating aging and metabolism.
- Telomerase: An enzyme that helps to maintain the length of telomeres, which are protective caps on the ends of chromosomes.
The researchers say that their findings suggest that spaceflight may accelerate aging and increase the risk of frailty in astronauts. However, they also say that more research is needed to confirm their findings and to determine the long-term health effects of spaceflight.
“Our study provides the first evidence that spaceflight alters biomarkers of aging and frailty,” said Dr. David Dinges, one of the authors of the study. “This is an important finding because it suggests that spaceflight may have a negative impact on the health of astronauts.”
Dr. Dinges says that the next step is to conduct a larger study to confirm the findings of this study and to determine the long-term health effects of spaceflight. He also says that it is important to develop strategies to mitigate the negative effects of spaceflight on astronaut health.
“Spaceflight is a unique environment that poses a number of challenges to the human body,” said Dr. Dinges. “We need to develop strategies to protect astronauts from the negative effects of spaceflight so that they can continue to explore the cosmos.”
Aging and Fragility Biomarkers are Altered by Spaceflight
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