Location
Utah Valley University Sorensen Center
Start Date
5-9-2016 11:09 AM
End Date
5-9-2016 11:21 AM
Description
Muscular atrophy, defined as the loss of muscle tissue, is a serious issue for immobilized patients on Earth and in human spaceflight, where microgravity prevents normal muscle loading. A major factor in muscular atrophy is oxidative stress, which is amplified not only by muscle disuse, but also by the increased levels of ionizing radiation in spaceflight. Additionally, elevated radiation exposure can damage DNA, increasing cancer risk.
To model oxidative stress and DNA damage generated by conditions on the International Space Station, murine C2C12 myoblasts were cultured in a rotary cell culture system irradiated by cesium-137. Changes due to the spaceflight model were characterized with fluorescent imaging, amino acid analysis, and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay for heme oxygenase 1. Fluorescent imaging was performed to assess viability, lipid peroxidation, and DNA damage.
Minor DNA damage was observed in cells exposed to 20 μCi cesium-137 for 15 days. No significant differences in viability or lipid peroxidation were noted. Exposure to radiation decreased intracellular heme oxygenase 1 and extracellular alanine, but did not affect branch chain amino acids. Investigation of stronger radiation sources and extended culture time is ongoing. We anticipate that radiation will exacerbate the atrophic effects of microgravity on muscle cells. Simulation of microgravity and spaceflight radiation will provide a valuable platform for drug discovery and an understanding of the progression from normal to disease state.
In Vitro Modeling of Microgravity-Induced Muscle Atrophy and Spaceflight Radiation
Utah Valley University Sorensen Center
Muscular atrophy, defined as the loss of muscle tissue, is a serious issue for immobilized patients on Earth and in human spaceflight, where microgravity prevents normal muscle loading. A major factor in muscular atrophy is oxidative stress, which is amplified not only by muscle disuse, but also by the increased levels of ionizing radiation in spaceflight. Additionally, elevated radiation exposure can damage DNA, increasing cancer risk.
To model oxidative stress and DNA damage generated by conditions on the International Space Station, murine C2C12 myoblasts were cultured in a rotary cell culture system irradiated by cesium-137. Changes due to the spaceflight model were characterized with fluorescent imaging, amino acid analysis, and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay for heme oxygenase 1. Fluorescent imaging was performed to assess viability, lipid peroxidation, and DNA damage.
Minor DNA damage was observed in cells exposed to 20 μCi cesium-137 for 15 days. No significant differences in viability or lipid peroxidation were noted. Exposure to radiation decreased intracellular heme oxygenase 1 and extracellular alanine, but did not affect branch chain amino acids. Investigation of stronger radiation sources and extended culture time is ongoing. We anticipate that radiation will exacerbate the atrophic effects of microgravity on muscle cells. Simulation of microgravity and spaceflight radiation will provide a valuable platform for drug discovery and an understanding of the progression from normal to disease state.