Extended exposure to microgravity and cosmic radiation triggers molecular changes in the liver that mirror the body’s natural aging process. This was reported on July 9 by the journal Universe Today.
A research team led by Professor Michal Masternak developed a laboratory simulation of deep space conditions. For 14 days, animals were subjected to simulated weightlessness, galactic radiation, and solar particle streams mimicking a mission to Mars. The experiment’s findings showed that within just 24 hours of exposure, the liver began exhibiting genetic alterations characteristic of advanced age.
“Masternak meticulously views aging as something far more intricate than surface-level changes. According to him, it is a ‘gradual and cascading disruption of multiple organs and systems occurring simultaneously,’ and pinpointing where this cascade starts may be one of the most significant unresolved questions in modern medicine,” the publication reads.
The organ displayed an increased number of aging cells that had lost their functionality, along with heightened inflammatory processes and fibrosis. Without intervention, these changes could lead to systemic organ failure. Researchers selected the liver for study because it serves as the body’s key metabolic hub and a sensitive marker of physiological stress.
To validate their findings, experts compared lab data with blood test results from the Inspiration4 mission crew and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) twin study. Genetic markers in the actual samples matched those obtained during the simulation perfectly.
The study also identified a class of molecules known as antagomirs. These can interact with microRNA and influence genetic pathways linked to aging and inflammation. It is anticipated that this could eventually enable the development of drugs to protect crews on long-duration spaceflights.
According to the study’s authors, space offers a unique opportunity to examine the mechanisms of bodily decline in a compressed timeframe. Processes that take decades on Earth manifest within weeks beyond the atmosphere. The knowledge gained is intended to be applied in designing therapies for age-related diseases and preserving the function of internal organs in people who have never left the planet.
About the Author
