Sunday, November 10, 2024
HomeClinical Trials and ResearchSpaceflight affects intestinal function, study finds

Spaceflight affects intestinal function, study finds

Researchers found that microgravity environments may interfere with the epithelial barrier of the intestine for astronauts.

The intestine is an important part of the digestive system, inhabited by a tremendous number of microorganisms. Intestinal epithelial cells greatly contribute to the maintenance of the symbiotic relationship between gut microbiota and the host by absorbing nutrients into the body while restricting the entry of harmful substances.

Maintaining the intestinal barrier function is very important for our health, and any dysfunction is a risk factor for many diseases and conditions such as gastrointestinal infections, inflammatory bowel diseases, obesity, celiac diseases, and food allergies.

In a new paper published in Scientific Reports by Nature, a group of researchers led by the University of California investigated the effect of microgravity during spaceflight on epithelial barrier function. The biomedical scientists used a rotating wall vessel to examine the impact of near weightlessness environment on cultured intestinal epithelial cells.

Following culture for about two weeks in the vessel, the research team discovered that intestinal epithelial cells showed a significant delay in forming cell-to-cell junctions that connect individual epithelial cells and are necessary for blocking living organisms or biological molecules to cross. Surprisingly, the effect lasted another two weeks after the intestinal epithelial cells were removed from the vessel.

This study clearly showed that the spaceflight environment can induce an underlying and sustained susceptibility to epithelial barrier disruption even after removal from the microgravity condition. More works are needed to confirm the severity caused to astronauts during space missions.

 

Written by Man-tik Choy, Ph.D

 

Reference: Alvarez, R., Stork, C.A., Sayoc-Becerra, A. et al. A Simulated Microgravity Environment Causes a Sustained Defect in Epithelial Barrier Function. Sci Rep 9, 17531 (2019) doi:10.1038/s41598-019-53862-3.

Image by WikiImages from Pixabay

Man-tik Choy PhD
Man-tik Choy PhD
Man-Tik has a Ph.D. in Material Science and Engineering from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. His research focuses on pharmaceutical sciences, biomaterial design and development, and advanced manufacturing technologies. Man-Tik has developed a strong interest in knowledge discovery and sharing through his practical training in different joint research projects. He is excited to contribute to Medical News Bulletin and help the public to understand science more effectively. In his free time, Man-Tik enjoys reading novels and painting.
RELATED ARTICLES

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Latest News and Articles

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTERS

Stay Connected
10,288FansLike
820FollowersFollow
249FollowersFollow
2,787FollowersFollow

Article of the month

Birth Control For The Boys, Sperm Suppressing Gel in Trials Now

Move over, ladies. The quest for male birth control is heating up, and it's not just about gels and pills—it's about rewriting the rules...

Joke Of The Day

Ninety one year old patient speaking with his doctor:Patient: I am getting married again, doc!Doctor: Wow, amazing! And how old is your bride?Patient: 21Doctor: I have to caution...

ADVERTISE WITH US

error: Content is read-only and copy-protected.