Abstract
The partial gravity environment in space can negatively affect bone health. This survey aimed to study the reaction of different parts of the lower limb bones of rats to partial gravity and the effects of different degrees of gravity on these bony parts. We used 15 8-week-old male Wistar Hannover rats were used at the beginning of the experiment. The degree of mechanical stress was modified, but the ankle joint was maintained at ∼30°, ∼120°, or ∼160° with or without plaster fixation during 10-day hindlimb suspension. Computed tomography was performed to measure the bone parameters [bone mineral density (BMD), trabecular BMD, cortical BMD, and cortical thickness] of each studied group of the whole, proximal, middle, and distal femur and distal tibia. BMD, trabecular BMD, and cortical thickness of the distal femur and proximal tibia of the simulated mechanical stress associated with partial gravity groups were significantly lower than those of the control group; the effect of different degrees of gravity on the same area of hindlimb bone had no significant difference. The simulated mechanical stress associated with partial gravity had the most significant effect on the bone close to the knee joint, with the largest weight-bearing response.
Highlights
It has been almost 60 years since the Soviet Union launched the first manned spacecraft
The results revealed that the dry weight of the 120◦ group in the femur deteriorated more owing to partial gravity effects (−16.2%, P = 0.0014; Figure 2A)
We noticed that the bone parameters of the distal femur group and proximal tibia, which were close to the knee joints, showed a much more evident deterioration than other areas (Figures 5D,H,P, 6B,F,N)
Summary
It has been almost 60 years since the Soviet Union launched the first manned spacecraft. As humans began to explore outer space, their health in the new space environment became an issue of major concern. During this period, humanity realized that the outer space living environment was quite different from the Earth’s environment. With the development of science and technology, humans will be able to travel farther in outer space in the future and will likely immigrate permanently in partial gravity environments, such as the Moon and Mars. During the past 60 years, humans have researched the effects of the outer space environment on human health, including the effects on the human skeletal system
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
