A Moderate Daily Dose of Resveratrol Mitigates Muscle Deconditioning in a Martian Gravity Analog.

Marie Mortreux,Mary L Bouxsein,Seward B Rutkove,Daniela Riveros

doi:10.3389/fphys.2019.00899

Marie Mortreux, Mary L Bouxsein + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2019.00899

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Abstract

While there is a relatively good understanding of the effects of microgravity on human physiology based on five decades of experience, the physiological consequences of partial gravity remain far less well understood. Until recently, no model had been able to replicate partial gravity such as that experienced on Mars (0.38 g), which would be critical to help sustain long-term missions and ensure a safe return to Earth. Recent development of two partial weight bearing (PWB) models, one in mice and one in rats, now allows for quadrupedal partial unloading that mimics Martian gravity. Resveratrol (RSV), a polyphenol most commonly found in grapes and blueberries, has been extensively investigated for its health benefits, including its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and anti-diabetic effects. In the context of mechanical unloading, RSV has also been shown to preserve bone and muscle mass. However, there is a lack of research regarding its effect on the musculoskeletal system in partial gravity. We hypothesized that a moderate daily dose of RSV (150 mg/kg/day) would help mitigate muscle deconditioning in a Mars gravity analog. Indeed, our results demonstrate that RSV treatment during partial unloading significantly preserves muscle function (e.g., the average change in grip force after 14 days of PWB40 was of −6.18, and +10.92% when RSV was administered) and mitigates muscle atrophy (e.g., RSV supplementation led to an increase of 21.6% in soleus weight for the unloaded animals). This work suggests the potential of a nutraceutical approach to reduce musculoskeletal deconditioning on a long-term mission to Mars.

Highlights

After decades of manned low earth orbit missions, space agencies are targeting other planets for human exploration
Animals exposed to PWB40 alone displayed a significantly reduced soleus mass, average cross sectional area (CSA), and slow-twitch-CSA compared to both non-unloaded groups
RSV supplementation in animals exposed to PWB40 prevented muscle atrophy (Figure 2A) and partially rescued myofiber CSA (Figure 2B and Supplementary Table S2), but did not induce any significant change for the group at PWB100

Summary

Introduction

After decades of manned low earth orbit missions, space agencies are targeting other planets for human exploration. NASA plans to send astronauts to the Moon and to Mars (National Aeronautics and Space Administration [NASA], 2018), both of which display a significantly lower gravity than Earth (0.16 and 0.38 g, respectively). Mitigating strategies will be needed to prevent muscle deconditioning and allow astronauts to safely perform tasks upon arrival on Mars, especially after being reintroduced to gravity, even if at a reduced level. RSV has already been studied for its osteoprotective effects (Shen et al, 2012; Durbin et al, 2014; Ornstrup et al, 2014), and described as a physical exercise mimetic to prevent wasting disorders during hindlimb unloading (Momken et al, 2011). Its mitigating effect has never been studied in a partial weightbearing (PWB) model

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