Abstract
Hibernation has been proposed as a tool for human space travel. In recent years, a procedure to induce a metabolic state known as “synthetic torpor” in non-hibernating mammals was successfully developed. Synthetic torpor may not only be an efficient method to spare resources and reduce psychological problems in long-term exploratory-class missions, but may also represent a countermeasure against cosmic rays. Here we show the preliminary results from an experiment in rats exposed to ionizing radiation in normothermic conditions or synthetic torpor. Animals were irradiated with 3 Gy X-rays and organs were collected 4 h after exposure. Histological analysis of liver and testicle showed a reduced toxicity in animals irradiated in torpor compared to controls irradiated at normal temperature and metabolic activity. The expression of ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) in the liver was significantly downregulated in the group of animal in synthetic torpor. In the testicle, more genes involved in the DNA damage signaling were downregulated during synthetic torpor. These data show for the first time that synthetic torpor is a radioprotector in non-hibernators, similarly to natural torpor in hibernating animals. Synthetic torpor can be an effective strategy to protect humans during long term space exploration of the solar system.
Highlights
Torpor is a peculiar state characterized by a drastic reduction in metabolic rate that leads to a decrease in body temperature proportional to the temperature gradient between the body and the environment [1]
We present preliminary data analysing gene expression in the liver and in the testis of rats which were irradiated during synthetic torpor compared with normothermic controls, showing that radioprotection is induced during synthetic torpor and supporting the idea of using this state to preserve the health of humans and animals during long term space travels
Histological analysis of liver and rats exposed to 3 Gy X-rays show a reduced toxicity compared in animals artificially in torpor compared to controls irradiated at normal temperature and metabolic activity
Summary
Torpor is a peculiar state characterized by a drastic reduction in metabolic rate that leads to a decrease in body temperature proportional to the temperature gradient between the body and the environment [1]. Mimicking torpor in non-hibernators has always been an ambitious goal [5,6] Such possibility would open interesting opportunity and could be very valuable in many clinical settings [7] but could lead to applications in the field of space exploration [8]. It was shown that hibernators are able to survive higher doses of radiation during torpor compared to the euthermic period [18]. We present preliminary data analysing gene expression in the liver and in the testis of rats which were irradiated during synthetic torpor compared with normothermic controls, showing that radioprotection is induced during synthetic torpor and supporting the idea of using this state to preserve the health of humans and animals during long term space travels
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