Ottawa University scientists in Canada revealed mechanisms that contribute to the development of anemia in astronauts in orbit. Researchers presented their findings in the article published in the Nature Medicine magazine.
It is known that the long-term stay in micrographs has dangerous effects on the health of people. Experts analyzed 14 astronauts health indicators who spent six months on board the International Space Station. It turned out that long-term destruction in space is associated with an increase in the level of destruction of red blood cells (hemolysis) and hemoglobin emissions from blood plasma. In addition, an increase in the concentration of carbon monoxide in the air Alveol was noted.
A year after the completion of the space mission, the astronauts still continued the effects of impact of weightlessness on erythrocytes, including an increased level of hemolysis, reticulocyte (increase in the level of immature red blood cells) and a high hemoglobin in plasma. The results suggest that anemia observed in the astronaut is associated with hemolysis, which, in turn, is the main effect of microgravity.