Recovery of bone microarchitecture and density four years after spaceflight: two case studies
Abstract Spaceflight is known to negatively impact bone health, but the duration of these effects remains unclear. These two case studies investigated bone microarchitecture, density, and remodelling up to 4 years after long-duration spaceflight, aiming to inform countermeasure development and guide...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2025-07-01
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| Series: | npj Microgravity |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41526-025-00511-x |
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| author | Bryn E. Matheson Matthias Walle Anna-Maria Liphardt Paul A. Hulme Martina Heer Sara R. Zwart Jean D. Sibonga Scott M. Smith Leigh Gabel Steven K. Boyd |
| author_facet | Bryn E. Matheson Matthias Walle Anna-Maria Liphardt Paul A. Hulme Martina Heer Sara R. Zwart Jean D. Sibonga Scott M. Smith Leigh Gabel Steven K. Boyd |
| author_sort | Bryn E. Matheson |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Spaceflight is known to negatively impact bone health, but the duration of these effects remains unclear. These two case studies investigated bone microarchitecture, density, and remodelling up to 4 years after long-duration spaceflight, aiming to inform countermeasure development and guide future research efforts. High-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) and dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans were conducted on two crew members at pre-flight and up to 48-months post-spaceflight. Both crew members exhibited significant bone loss in the tibia at return from spaceflight, while only one crew member showed losses in the radius. After 4 years of recovery, one crew member achieved full recovery, while the second experienced persistent trabecular deficits that were compensated by significant cortical thickening. These results provide insight into the need for tailored countermeasures and prolonged monitoring to optimize skeletal health for future long-duration space missions, with implications for bone health research on mechanical unloading and reloading. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-58a6ab38fb3c43fd8cd2abf69daf6a05 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2373-8065 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | npj Microgravity |
| spelling | doaj-art-58a6ab38fb3c43fd8cd2abf69daf6a052025-08-20T03:46:21ZengNature Portfolionpj Microgravity2373-80652025-07-0111111110.1038/s41526-025-00511-xRecovery of bone microarchitecture and density four years after spaceflight: two case studiesBryn E. Matheson0Matthias Walle1Anna-Maria Liphardt2Paul A. Hulme3Martina Heer4Sara R. Zwart5Jean D. Sibonga6Scott M. Smith7Leigh Gabel8Steven K. Boyd9McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health, Cumming School of Medicine, University of CalgaryMcCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health, Cumming School of Medicine, University of CalgaryDepartment of Internal Medicine 3, Rheumatology and Immunology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-NürnbergMcCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health, Cumming School of Medicine, University of CalgaryIU International University of Applied Sciences Erfurt and Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Nutritional Physiology, University of BonnDepartment of Preventive Medicine and Population Health, University of Texas Medical BranchHuman Health and Performance Directorate, NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space CenterHuman Health and Performance Directorate, NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space CenterMcCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health, Cumming School of Medicine, University of CalgaryMcCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health, Cumming School of Medicine, University of CalgaryAbstract Spaceflight is known to negatively impact bone health, but the duration of these effects remains unclear. These two case studies investigated bone microarchitecture, density, and remodelling up to 4 years after long-duration spaceflight, aiming to inform countermeasure development and guide future research efforts. High-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) and dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans were conducted on two crew members at pre-flight and up to 48-months post-spaceflight. Both crew members exhibited significant bone loss in the tibia at return from spaceflight, while only one crew member showed losses in the radius. After 4 years of recovery, one crew member achieved full recovery, while the second experienced persistent trabecular deficits that were compensated by significant cortical thickening. These results provide insight into the need for tailored countermeasures and prolonged monitoring to optimize skeletal health for future long-duration space missions, with implications for bone health research on mechanical unloading and reloading.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41526-025-00511-x |
| spellingShingle | Bryn E. Matheson Matthias Walle Anna-Maria Liphardt Paul A. Hulme Martina Heer Sara R. Zwart Jean D. Sibonga Scott M. Smith Leigh Gabel Steven K. Boyd Recovery of bone microarchitecture and density four years after spaceflight: two case studies npj Microgravity |
| title | Recovery of bone microarchitecture and density four years after spaceflight: two case studies |
| title_full | Recovery of bone microarchitecture and density four years after spaceflight: two case studies |
| title_fullStr | Recovery of bone microarchitecture and density four years after spaceflight: two case studies |
| title_full_unstemmed | Recovery of bone microarchitecture and density four years after spaceflight: two case studies |
| title_short | Recovery of bone microarchitecture and density four years after spaceflight: two case studies |
| title_sort | recovery of bone microarchitecture and density four years after spaceflight two case studies |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41526-025-00511-x |
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