Spaceflight affects bone formation in rhesus monkeys: a histological and cell culture study.
Using analyses of iliac crest cell and tissue, back-scattered electron imaging, and biochemical techniques, we characterized the effects of a 14-day spaceflight (Bion 11) on bone structure and bone formation in two 3- to 4-yr-old male rhesus monkeys compared with eight age-matched Earth-control monkeys. We found that postflight bone volume was 35% lower than preflight values in flight monkeys. This was associated with reduced osteoid (-40%) and mineralizing (-32%) surfaces and decreased bone formation rate (-53%). Moreover, flight monkeys exhibited trends to lower values of mineralization profile in iliac bone (back-scattered electron imaging) and to decreased osteocalcin serum levels (P = 0.08). The initial number of trabecular bone cells yielded in cultures did not differ in flight and control animals before or after the flight. However, osteoblastic cell proliferation was markedly lower in postflight vs. preflight at 9 and 14 days of culture in one flight monkey. This study suggests that a 14-day spaceflight reduces iliac bone formation, osteoblastic activity, and/or recruitment in young rhesus monkeys, resulting in decreased trabecular bone volume.
Department of Aerospace Physiology, IMASSA, 91223 Brétigny-sur-Orge, France. ezerath@imassa.fr
Erik
E
Zérath
Marc
M
Grynpas
Xavier
X
Holy
Michel
M
Viso
Patricia
P
Patterson-Buckendahl
Pierre J
PJ
Marie
D000818:Animals; D015519:Bone Density; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D002455:Cell Division; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D007085:Ilium / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000166:cytology; D015675:Osteocalcin / Q000097:blood; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D013026:Space Flight
D015675:Osteocalcin
NASA Experiment Number B11-17