Physiological and cellular evidences for accelerated aging under space conditions: Exercise as a countermeasure
Abstract
Studies conducted in several space laboratories have revealed a significant loss of human T cell activity during space flight, as well as decreased proliferation in T cells exposed to microgravity. In this regard the role of cytokines has been extensibility investigated. More specifically, suboptimal production of IL-6 might be, at least in part, responsible for the adverse effect of spaceflight on immune, bone, muscle and metabolic homeostasis. Although IL-6 is mostly regarded as a pro-inflammatory cytokine, it also has many regenerative or anti-inflammatory activities. For instance, it has been shown that IL-6 induces cell cycle arrest allowing base excision and repair of oxidized DNA. But, so far it is not understood what might course the loss of T cell activation and proliferation under space environmental conditions and further studies are necessary in order to elucidate the underlaying mechanisms.
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