Long-term exposure to microgravity impairs vestibulo-cardiovascular reflex

Sci Rep. 2016 Sep 16:6:33405. doi: 10.1038/srep33405.

Abstract

The vestibular system is known to have an important role in controlling blood pressure upon posture transition (vestibulo-cardiovascular reflex, VCR). However, under a different gravitational environment, the sensitivity of the vestibular system may be altered. Thus, the VCR may become less sensitive after spaceflight because of orthostatic intolerance potentially induced by long-term exposure to microgravity. To test this hypothesis in humans, we investigated the ability of the VCR to maintain blood pressure upon head-up tilt before and after a 4-6 months stay on the International Space Station. To detect the functional state of the VCR, galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) was applied. As GVS transiently interrupts the vestibular-mediated pressor response, impaired VCR is detected when the head-up tilt-induced blood pressure response does not depend on GVS. During the first 20 s of head-up tilt, a transient blood pressure increase (11.9 ± 1.6 mmHg) was observed at pre-spaceflight but not at 1-4 days after return from spaceflight. The magnitude of VCR recovered to the pre-spaceflight levels within 2 months after return. These results indicate that long-term exposure to microgravity induces VCR impairment, which may be involved in a mechanism of spaceflight-induced orthostatic intolerance.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Astronauts
  • Baroreflex
  • Blood Pressure
  • Electric Stimulation
  • Heart / physiology*
  • Heart Rate / physiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Reflex / physiology*
  • Supine Position
  • Time Factors
  • Vestibule, Labyrinth / physiology*
  • Weightlessness*