Humans have landed on the Moon and scientists are also planning to send astronauts to Mars in the coming decades. A new study suggests that long-term space travel will also speed up aging.
Scientists are in agreement that spaceflight may have adverse effects on human health. French researchers now suggest that spaceflight may also be linked with faster aging of the immune system.
The researchers suggest that the study is important as it can help scientists to better understand the process of immune system aging called immunoscenescence.
The study involved mice, which were suspended in the air. This model is called hindlimb unloading (HU), which simulates effects of a spaceflight on lab mice.
The scientists observed bone parameters as well as experience alterations to the production of B lymphocytes in the bone marrow of old mice, young mice and the ones that were subjected to HU.
The study found that mice subjected to HU experienced changes in the production of B lymphocyte in the bone marrow, which is similar to that observed in old mice living on Earth. The researchers suggest that a similar effect may also be present in humans, who are subject to long spaceflights.
The researchers suggest that the study can help in the development of compounds and molecules, which can improve an astronaut's immune responses.
"This study shows that a model of spaceflight conditions could not only be used to test the efficacy of molecules to improve immune responses following a spaceflight in astronauts, but also in the elderly and bed-ridden populations on Earth," says Jean-Pol Frippiat, a researcher involved in the work from the Stress, Immunity and Pathogens Laboratory at Lorraine University in Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France.
Humans landing on Mars will be a huge achievement for mankind. However, scientists will also have to focus on the health of astronauts who will be sent to the Red Planet for explorations.
Space agencies normally send their astronauts to International Space Station (ISS) in the low Earth orbit for about 6 months. However, in the past Russia has sent also its cosmonauts to the ISS for a stay lasting for 12 months or more.
In March this year, for the first time the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) will send its astronaut Scott Kelly to the ISS for a stay period of 12 months. Kelly will not be the only one who will reside in the ISS for 12 months. Russian cosmonaut Mikhail Kornienko will also fly with Kelly in March to start a year-long stay in the ISS.
A year-long stay by humans in the ISS will help scientists to get vital information on psychological, biomedical and medical challenges that are faced by astronauts during long-duration space travel.
