Space & Gravitational Physiology

With the advent of the construction of the International Space Station (ISS), studies on the effects of altered gravitational load induced by centrifugation (above photo) or simulated by other means (head-down tilt, water immersion, hindlimb suspension) will be of great importance. While at NASA's Ames Research Center, I participated in studies examining the effects of altered gravitational load on renal function, metabolism, and hormonal responses. These studies will help provide a better understanding of the effects of altered gravitational load on rats, which can hopefully be used as a suitable model by which effects on humans (astronauts) can be extrapolated.

The predictive value of these studies may provide insight on the consequences of exposure to microgravity during spaceflight and the subsequent exposure to hypergravity upon re-entry to earth. Assessing the physiological responses to hypergravity induced by centrifugation is also important since a centrifuge onboard ISS may be used as a countermeasure to the adverse effects of microgravity. A manuscript on the effects of centrifugation on total body water pool size and water flux is in review in the Journal of Applied Physiology. Another manuscript on the relationship between excreted immunoreactive LH and testosterone during centrifugation and following spaceflight is currently being prepared for publication.