Space flight prolongs human life. Free Technical Library News

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Space flight prolongs human life

16.07.2012

An international team of scientists studying bone and muscle loss in astronauts has found that spaceflight can extend life. It turned out that space flights reduce the amount of toxic proteins that usually accumulate during muscle aging. The scientists also discovered a group of genes whose expression decreases during space flight. In laboratory experiments on Earth, in model organisms (the worms Caenorhabditis elegans), a decrease in the expression of the same genes led to an increase in lifespan.

“We have identified seven genes whose inactivation prolongs life in the lab,” says one of the study’s authors, expert in muscle metabolism, Dr. Nathaniel Shevchik. “We don’t yet know exactly how these genes work. Apparently, they affect the perception environment and the corresponding adaptation of the body. For example, one of the genes controls the production of insulin associated with metabolism and longevity. "

What does this discovery mean for practical astronautics? Scientists know that under the conditions of space flights, muscles inevitably contract in volume. However, this is not a pathology, but only a reaction to environmental conditions, in particular weightlessness. It is possible that as a result of adaptation processes, life expectancy may also increase.

Scientists intend to continue their research, including studying the health of astronauts and experiments with Caenorhabditis elegans. At the same time, worms provide special opportunities. The fact is that Caenorhabditis elegans is the first multicellular organism whose genome is completely deciphered. Many of its 20 genes perform the same functions as human ones, for example, 2 genes play a role in muscle development, and 50-60% of them have human counterparts.

In addition, it has been established that these worms can live and reproduce in space for at least six months. Thus, they can be sent relatively inexpensively on an experimental long-term flight, for example, to Mars, and to study the effect of the space environment on a living organism.

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