Martian expedition may conclude with kidney treatments
A new study conducted by researchers at University College London has shed light on the potential deleterious effects of extended space travel on astronauts' kidneys. The findings call for further research into the long-term effects of space travel on the kidneys and potential countermeasures to protect astronauts' health during long-duration space missions.
The study suggests that extended space travel could have significant negative impacts on the kidneys' structure and function. In microgravity, astronauts experience fluid shifts where blood and other bodily fluids move upward from the legs to the head, altering kidney function and increasing the risk of kidney stones. This is partly due to dehydration and increased calcium excretion from bones because of bone demineralization in space. Elevated calcium levels in urine promote stone formation, which can cause pain and may require medical interventions such as dialysis in severe cases.
Additionally, urinary retention and other genitourinary conditions have been identified, which could complicate kidney health during long-duration space missions.
Regarding galactic cosmic radiation (GCR), the higher radiation dose beyond Earth’s magnetosphere poses risks due to ionizing particles that can induce oxidative stress and cellular damage. Although arterial and cardiovascular structures appear to recover post-flight from inflammatory and oxidative stress markers, the kidneys might be susceptible to radiation-induced damage due to their vascular and filtering functions, potentially exacerbating kidney dysfunction or long-term damage.
The kidneys play a crucial role in maintaining the internal balance of the human body, known as homeostasis. They are responsible for the balance of electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, calcium, and phosphorus in the blood, which are essential for the proper functioning of cells, muscles, and nerves. By regulating body fluids, the kidneys also adjust blood pressure by controlling the amount of water retained or eliminated by the body.
The kidneys produce hormones, including erythropoietin, which stimulates the production of red blood cells in the bone marrow, and the active form of vitamin D, which is essential for calcium absorption and maintaining bone health. Prolonged exposure to microgravity and galactic cosmic radiation during space travel can lead to structural changes in the kidneys, similar to those observed in astronauts and rodents.
The study's findings underscore the complexity of the medical challenges faced by astronauts during prolonged space travel and the need for continued research to ensure the health and safety of astronauts during space exploration. Monitoring kidney health through imaging and urine/blood analysis during and after missions is ongoing to better understand and mitigate these risks.
The urgency of developing innovative strategies to protect astronauts' renal function during extended space travel is underscored by the study's results. The kidneys' vulnerability to the effects of prolonged space travel underscores the need for comprehensive medical research and countermeasures to ensure the health and safety of astronauts during long-duration space missions.
References:
[1] Galactic cosmic radiation can induce permanent kidney damage and a reduced kidney function in rodents exposed to simulated long-duration Mars missions. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.nature.com/articles/s41550-018-0675-z
[2] Prolonged exposure to microgravity and galactic cosmic radiation during space travel can lead to structural changes in the kidneys, including signs of shrinkage in renal tubules responsible for calcium and salt balance. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.nature.com/articles/s41550-018-0675-z
[3] The kidneys are involved in the regulation of blood pH by controlling the amount of acid and base in the body, a crucial ability for the proper functioning of enzymes and other chemical processes. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK224062/
[4] The kidneys remove waste and excess fluid from the blood in the form of urine, a process essential for maintaining a stable chemical composition in the body. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK224062/
- The study indicates that space travel poses risks to astronauts' kidneys, not just due to microgravity-induced fluid shifts and increased risk of kidney stones, but also due to potential radiation-induced damage from galactic cosmic radiation.
- astronauts' health and wellness are potentially at risk during long-duration space missions because the kidneys play a vital role in maintaining homeostasis, including balance of electrolytes, regulation of body fluids, and production of essential hormones, and prolonged exposure to microgravity and galactic cosmic radiation can lead to structural changes in the kidneys.
- In addition to concerns about kidney stones and urinary retention, the study highlights the importance of continued research in health-and-wellness and space-and-astronomy to develop countermeasures and innovative strategies to protect astronauts' renal function during extended space travel, due to the kidneys' crucial role in maintaining overall health and their vulnerability to the effects of prolonged space travel.
