New Drug Compound Found to Prevent Bone Loss in Space Travel
Researchers have made a breakthrough discovery in preventing bone loss in humans during space travel. A new drug compound, tested on mice aboard the International Space Station (ISS), has shown promise in increasing the formation of new bone material.
For years, NASA has been studying the effects of space travel on human health. Astronauts who spend extended periods in space have been part of comprehensive studies, which examine their health before, during, and after their missions.
Recently, NASA announced that American astronaut Frank Rubio broke the agency’s record for the longest single spaceflight by a U.S. astronaut. Holding the title at 371 days in space, Rubio is set to return to Earth on September 27. NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei previously held the record after spending 355 days in space in March 2022.
Gravity conditions in space pose several health issues for astronauts. Studies have shown that the low gravity environment can significantly decrease or halt the formation of new bone material. According to NASA, astronauts spending more than six months in space can potentially lose between six and 10 percent of bone matter. Additionally, the development of new bone can take several years after astronauts return to Earth.
In fact, the bone loss experienced by astronauts in space can be up to 10 times greater than what is observed in individuals with osteoporosis, a bone loss disease. Currently, astronauts rely mainly on physical exercise to mitigate bone loss during extended stays in space. Crew members on the ISS typically spend approximately 2.5 hours per day exercising to counter the effects of reduced gravitational force.
Previous research has shown promise in using bisphosphonates, a group of drugs used to treat osteoporosis, to counteract bone loss on Earth. Researchers continue to explore these possibilities. However, a recent study has shown success by combining a bisphosphonate with another substance called NELL-1, which aids in regrowing bone material. NELL-1 was discovered by scientist Kang Ting at the Massachusetts-based Forsyth Institute.
Led by a team from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), the study administered a compound called BP-NELL-PEG to mice aboard the ISS to test its effectiveness. The mice were divided into two groups: one remained on the ISS for nine weeks, while the other group was returned to Earth after four and a half weeks. Both sets of mice were given either BP-NELL-PEG or a salt solution with no medication.
The results showed that both groups of mice given the BP-NELL-PEG compound exhibited a significant increase in bone formation during the experiment period. The researchers noted that neither the mice treated on Earth nor those given the drug in space experienced any observable side effects.
Chia Soo, from UCLA’s School of Medicine and a lead researcher, expressed enthusiasm for the potential of the findings in future space exploration, especially for missions involving prolonged exposure to microgravity. Benjamin Wu, a former UCLA engineering professor also involved in the study, highlighted that the same compound could be used to treat patients with severe osteoporosis and other bone-related conditions on Earth.
The researchers are currently analyzing data from the live mice that returned to Earth during the course of the experiment. Researcher Soo stated that they hope this data will provide valuable insights on how to help future astronauts recover from longer space missions.
The breakthrough discovery of the drug compound’s effectiveness in preventing bone loss in space travel opens doors for improved astronaut health and potential medical advancements for individuals on Earth. As further research and exploration in space continue, these findings mark a significant step forward.
I’m Bryan Lynn.
Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English.