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Microgravity Simulated by the 6° Head-Down Tilt Bed Rest Test Increases Intestinal Motility but Fails to Induce Gastrointestinal Symptoms of Space Motion Sickness

Prakash, Meher ; Fried, Ron ; Götze, Oliver ; May, Francisca ; Frings-Meuthen, Petra ; Mulder, Edwin ; Valentini, Judit ; Fox, Mark ; Fried, Michael ; Schwizer, Werner ; Misselwitz, Benjamin

In: Digestive Diseases and Sciences, 2015, vol. 60, no. 10, p. 3053-3061

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    Titel
    • Microgravity Simulated by the 6° Head-Down Tilt Bed Rest Test Increases Intestinal Motility but Fails to Induce Gastrointestinal Symptoms of Space Motion Sickness
    Autor
    • Prakash, Meher. Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Zurich and Zurich University, Rämistr. 100, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland
    • Fried, Ron. Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Zurich and Zurich University, Rämistr. 100, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland
    • Götze, Oliver. Division of Hepatology, Department of Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
    • May, Francisca. Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany
    • Frings-Meuthen, Petra. Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany
    • Mulder, Edwin. Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany
    • Valentini, Judit. Swiss Center of Excellence for Agricultural Research (Agroscope), Bern, Switzerland
    • Fox, Mark. Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Zurich and Zurich University, Rämistr. 100, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland
    • Fried, Michael. Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Zurich and Zurich University, Rämistr. 100, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland
    • Schwizer, Werner. Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Zurich and Zurich University, Rämistr. 100, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland
    • Misselwitz, Benjamin. Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Zurich and Zurich University, Rämistr. 100, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland
    Dokumententyp
    • Postprint
    Sprache
    • Englisch
    Veröffentlicht in
    • Digestive Diseases and Sciences, 2015, vol. 60, no. 10, p. 3053-3061. Springer US; http://www.springer-ny.com
    Andere elektronische Ausgabe
    OAI-PMH-ID
    • oai:doc.rero.ch:331240
    Summary
    Background: Space motion sickness (SMS) is the most relevant medical problem during the first days in microgravity. Studies addressing pathophysiology in space face severe technical challenges and microgravity is frequently simulated using the 6° head-down tilt bed rest test (HDT). Aim: We were aiming to test whether SMS could be simulated by HDT, identify related changes in gastrointestinal physiology and test for beneficial effects of exercise interventions. Methods: HDT was performed in ten healthy individuals. Each individual was tested in three study campaigns varying by a 30-min daily exercise intervention of either standing, an upright exercise regimen, or no intervention. Gastrointestinal symptoms, stool characteristics, gastric emptying time, and small intestinal transit were assessed using standardized questionnaires, 13C octanoate breath test, and H2 lactulose breath test, respectively, before and at day 2 and 5 of HDT. Results: Individuals described no or minimal gastrointestinal symptoms during HDT. Gastric emptying remained unchanged relative to baseline data collection (BDC). At day 2 of HDT the H2 peak of the lactulose test appeared earlier (mean±standard error for BDC-1, HDT2, HDT5: 198±7, 139±18, 183±10min; p:0.040), indicating accelerated small intestinal transit. Furthermore, during HDT, stool was softer and stool mass increased (BDC: 47±6, HDT: 91±12, recovery: 53±8g/day; p:0.014), indicating accelerated colonic transit. Exercise interventions had no effect. Conclusion: HDT did not induce symptoms of SMS. During HDT, gastric emptying remained unchanged, but small and large intestinal transit was accelerated.