EXPERIMENT INFORMATION
Mechanism of Accelerated Aging Under Microgravity (Phospho_Aging)
Research Area:
Biomedical countermeasures
Skeletal physiology
Species Studied
Scientific Name: Homo sapiens Species: Human
Objectives
Serum protein fetuin-A binds calcium-phosphate to prevent the amalgamation of calcium phosphate crystals in extraosseous tissues. The resulting calciprotein particle (CCP) is implicated as a risk factor for poor health outcomes such as chronic inflammation, arteriosclerosis and chronic kidney disease. Spaceflight induced bone loss should contribute to increased levels of CCP in blood and primary urine of astronauts and is potentially a cause of accelerated aging in astronauts. This experiment has the following aims:
1. To measure biomarkers for mineral metabolism, including CCP, to compare with pre- and post-BDC levels.
2. To determine the potential role of mineral metabolism in the accelerated aging of astronauts observed during spaceflight.
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Approach:
Blood and urine samples of at least 6 participants will be gathered by investigators preflight, inflight, and postflight. Two collection dates will be given to baseline data collection for both preflight and postflight. Blood and urine samples will be collected on each date. Inflight operations will consist of four blood and urine collection dates spread across the duration of flight.
Results:
As an international experiment, NASA does not currently have an agreement to archive results in the LSDA.
Aging
Bone density
Calcium-binding proteins
Calcium
Data Availability
Archiving in progress. Data is not yet available for this experiment.
24 hour urine
Blood chemistry
Calciprotein particle (CCP); markers of calcium metabolism
Content, Fat, whole body, primate, Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA)
Content; Vitamin D (1,25 dihycroxy), blood
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ECG
Echocardiogram (ECG)
Muscle strength
VO2 max
Mission/Study Information
Managing NASA Center
Johnson Space Center (JSC)
Responsible NASA Representative
Institutional Support
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)