Blood parameter analysis after short term exposure to weightlessness in parabolic flight

Issue title: Selected papers from the Neubrandenburg Conference, 8-9 June, 2018

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Bimpong-Buta, Nana-Yaw^a | Jirak, Peter^b | Wernly, Bernhard^b | Lichtenauer, Michael^b | Knost, Thorben^a | Abusamrah, Thaer^a | Kelm, Malte^a | Jung, Christian^{a; *}

Affiliations: [a] Division of Cardiology, Pulmonology, and Vascular Medicine, Medical Faculty, University Duesseldorf, Germany | [b] Department of Cardiology, Clinic of Internal Medicine II, Paracelsus Medical University of Salzburg, Austria

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Univ.-Prof. Dr. med. Dr. C. Jung, Division of Cardiology, Pulmonology, and Vascular Medicine; Medical Faculty University Duesseldorf, Moorenstrasse 5; 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany. Tel.: +49 211 81 18567; Fax: +49 211 18812; E-mail: [email protected].

Abstract: BACKGROUND:Parabolic flights offer a unique platform for human experiments in short-term weightlessness. It is generally known that human organ systems react to changes of gravity. Yet, little is known about alterations of blood parameters under these conditions with special emphasis on blood rheology. OBJECTIVE:We investigated the alterations of distinct blood parameters after exposure to weightlessness. METHODS:14 healthy volunteers underwent short-term phases of weightlessness induced by parabolic flight. At different time points (baseline, t2:1 hour after landing, and t3:24 hours after baseline), venous blood was drawn and analyzed. RESULTS:Analysis of red blood count revealed significant decreases of hemoglobin and hematocrit post flight. While total white blood counts were unaltered, differential subset analysis revealed significant decreases of eosinophil granulocytes and monocytes. Cortisole levels were unchanged and lacked physiologic circadian decrease. Parameters of renal function were found significantly improved (GFR (ml/min/1,73m2): Baseline: 105 [89;109], t2:117 [98;125], t3:110 [102;119]; p = 0.0013. In the sense of mild myocytolysis, levels of myoglobin were significantly elevated post-flight with fast recovery to baseline levels. CONCLUSIONS:In the current analysis, significant alterations of blood parameters after exposure to weightlessness could be detected. These results contribute to the understanding of physiologic adaptations of the human body to weightlessness.

Keywords: Blood parameter analysis, weightlessness, parabolic flight

DOI: 10.3233/CH-189314

Journal: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 70, no. 4, pp. 477-486, 2018