Cardiovascular and hormonal changes induced by a simulation of a lunar mission.
BACKGROUND
This is the first simulation of a 14-d lunar mission including 6 d on the Moon.


OBJECTIVE
We hypothesized that a lunar gravity simulation in the middle of a head-down tilt (HDT) might result in some reversal of body fluid/hormonal responses, and influence cardiovascular deconditioning.


METHODS
Six men (28 +/- 2.5 yr) were placed in bed rest (BR): in (HDT) (-6 degrees) to simulate microgravity during the travel (two 4-d periods), and in head-up tilt (HUT) (+10 degrees) (6-d period) to simulate lunar gravity (1/6 g). Muscular exercise was performed during the HUT period to simulate 6 h of lunar EVA. Heart rate variability (HRV) and hormonal responses were studied.


RESULTS
An orthostatic arterial hypotension was observed after the BR (tilt test) in 4 of the 6 subjects. Plasma volume measured at D14 decreased by -11.1% (vs. D-3, sitting position). A decrease in atrial natriuretic peptide (26 +/- 3.5 pg.ml-1 (D14) vs. 37.9 +/- 3.5 pg.ml-1 (D-3, sitting) and an increase in plasma renin activity (198 +/- 9.2 mg.L-1.min-1 (D14) vs. 71 +/- 9.2 mg.L-1.min-1 (D-3, sitting) were observed during the BR, more pronounced in HUT at 7:00 p.m. Sympathetic-parasympathetic balance (HRV) at rest showed a decrease in parasympathetic indicator and an increase in sympathetic indicator in BR (p < 0.05), without differences within HDT and HUT periods.


CONCLUSIONS
These changes were mostly similar to those reported in spaceflights, and HDT. Although the exposure to 1/6 g with exercise modified some hormonal and body fluid responses, this partial gravity simulation was not sufficient to prevent the decrease in orthostatic tolerance observed here as well as after Apollo lunar missions.
Pavy-Le Traon
A
A
Laboratoire de Physiologie de l'Environment (GIP Exercice), Faculté de Médecine Grange-Blanche, Lyon, France.
Allevard
A M
AM
Fortrat
J O
JO
Vasseur
P
P
Gauquelin
G
G
Guell
A
A
Bes
A
A
Gharib
C
C
D000328:Adult; D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor / Q000097:blood; D001510:Bed Rest / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D005080:Exercise Test; D018478:Extravehicular Activity / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018475:Head-Down Tilt / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006728:Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016081:Moon; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000097:blood; D012083:Renin / Q000097:blood; D018561:Space Simulation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013997:Time Factors
D006728:Hormones; D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor; D003404:Creatinine; D012083:Renin; D009638:Norepinephrine