NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS) 19980007217: [Effects of Gravity on Attachment of Tendon to Bone]

4 Pages·0.12 MB·English

by  NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

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ROGER B. JOHNSON, DDS, PHD
CENTER
UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI MEDICAL
JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI
FINAL REPORT
NASA GRANT" NCC 2-863
We have received and processed all samples for either light or scanning
electron microscopic analysis and have completed the histomorphometric
analysis. We have characterized the changes caused by spaceflight to
tendon attachments to the calcaneus, tibia, fibula and femur and compared
them to hindlimbs and forelimbs from NIH.R2. Soleus muscle
histomorphometry has also been completed. Our results suggest severe
osteoporosis in the femur, fibula and tibia of animals coincident to
spaceflight, which had not resolved after 4-5 days following return to
earth. This was evident at all sites, including sites of tendon attachments.
This atrophy was not evident in the calcaneus. No muscle atrophy was
evident. Comparison of scanning photomicrographs of flight animals with
other lactating animals demonstrated structural similarities and
suggested that it might be worthwhile to assess whether lactation is a
factor in development of the osteoporosis in the spaceflight animals. In
addition, evaluation of total calcium utilization by spaceflight animals
would be beneficial.
EARTH BENEFITS
Osteoporosis is a disease which affects many people. There has been a
debate for many years concerning factors which might cause osteoporosis.
Many people feel that inactivity may be a primary cause of the disease.
Spaceflight is an excellent way to produce bone inactivity, as the bones
receive no load in microgravity. In this study, all spaceflight animals
developed osteoporosis, suggesting that spaceflight could be a factor in
development of osteoporosis if the flight was of sufficient length. Since
rat bone is similar to human (but its metabolism is much more rapid than
human) when osteoporosis occurred in rats during a 11 day flight, it would
could occur in humans experiencing a longer (3 month) spaceflight. There
was evidence of microfractures in the tibia of spaceflight rats,
suggesting that bones weakened by osteoporosis during spaceflight may
fracture on return to earth. This event could disable astronauts on their
return to gravity. The results of this study also suggested that loading
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bones weakened by osteoporosis will not promote healing, but will likely
result in fracture. Since the experimental animals were pregnant
females, we suggest that pregnancy may also have a role in the bone
atrophy.
INVENTIONS STATEMENT
No inventions resulted from this study.
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ABSTRACTS
Johnson, R. B.: Tsao, A. K.; St. John, K. R.; Betcher, R. A.; Tucci, M. A.;
Parsell, D. E ,; Mushell, N.; Zardiackas, L. D.: and Benghuzzi, H.A. (1995)
Effects of spaceflight on the attachment of tendons to bone. ASGSB
Bulletin, 9: 97.
Johnson, R. B.; Tsao, A. K.; St. John, K. R.; Betcher, R. A.; Tucci, M. A.;
Parsell, D. E.; and Benghuzzi, H. A. (1996) Atrophy of the fibula occurs
coincident to spaceflight. Journal of the Mississippi Academy of
Sciences, 41: 61.
Parsell, D. E.; Barkley, P. J.; Tsao, A. K.; St. John, K. R.; Betcher, R. A.; and
Johnson, R. B. (1996) Effects of spaceflight on rat femoral density.
Journal of the Mississippi Academy of Sciences, 41: 63.
Johnson, R. B.; and Abel, S. E. (1996) Comparison of the effects of
spaceflight on hindlimb and forelimb bones. ASGSB Bulletin, 10: 59.
Johnson, R. B.; Tsao, A. K.; St. John, K. R.; Betcher, R. A.; Tucci, M. A.;
Parsell, D. E.; and Benghuzzi, H. A. (1996) Effect of spaceflight on the
structure of the fibula. FASEB J, 10: A753.
PRESENTATIONS
"Comparison of the effects of spaceflight on hindlimb and forelimb
bones" Rocky Mountain Bioengineering Symposium, Dayton, Ohio, April
1Z, 1997.
Rats in Space--Results of the NIH,R1 and NIH.R2 spaceflights.
Presented at the Department of Oral Biology, University of Manitoba,
September 25, 1997.
"Effects of spaceflight on attachment of tendon to bone." Department
of Physiology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson,
Mississippi, July 12, 1995.
"Rats in space". Sigma Xi, Jackson, Mississippi, October 12, 1995.
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"Effects of spaceflight on bone: results of Atlantis and Discovery
flights", Professional Development Seminar, University of Mississippi,
May 2, 1996.