[Effects of 21 d -6 degrees head down bed-rest on pulmonary gas distribution and little airway function].

OBJECTIVE: To probe the effect of 21 d -6 degrees head down bed-rest (HDBR) on pulmonary gas distribution and little airway function. METHOD: The indices of the pulmonary gas distribution and little airway function (delta N2, CV, CV/VC%, LCI) were measured in 16 healthy male subjects before, during and after 21 d -6 degrees HD-BR. RESULT: Comparing with before and early days of HDBR, recovery supine delta N2 increased significantly. CV increased significantly only on the first day of HDBR, and changes of CV/VC% were same as CV. The changes of LCI were not significant. CONCLUSION: The indices of pulmonary gas distribution were affected by 21 d -6 degrees HDBR. Pulmonary gas distribution was more uneven during and after 21 d -6 degrees HDBR.

[Preventive effects of exercise training on bone loss during 21 d -6 degrees head down bed-rest].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the protective effects of exercise training during 21 d -6 degrees head down bed rest (HDBR) on bone loss. METHOD: Ten healthy young men were randomly divided into HDBR group and HD-BR exercise group, with 5 in each group. Both groups were exposed to -6 degrees head down bed rest for 21 d. The subjects in the exercise group performed exercise with a bicycle ergometer in supine position 1 h/d during bed rest. Femur bone mineral density (BMD), serum bone gla protein (BGP) as well as hydroxyproline/creatinine (HOP/Cr) were determined before and during 20 d HDBR. RESULT: As compared with the before HDBR values, average femur BMD decreased by 5.8% and 0.9% for HDBR group and HDBR and exercise group respectively. HOP/Cr significantly increased in the HDBR group and was significantly higher than the HDBR exercise group. BGP decreased in both groups with no significant difference. CONCLUSION: Exercise during 21 d -6 degrees HDBR is beneficial in preventing bone loss.

Impact of 60 days of 6° head down bed rest on cardiopulmonary function, and the effects of Taikong Yangxin Prescription as a countermeasure.

OBJECTIVE: To study the changes in cardiopulmonary function induced by mid/long-term simulated microgravity with 6° head down bed rest (HDBR), and the effects of Taikong Yangxin Prescription (, TYP) as a countermeasure. METHODS: Fourteen healthy male volunteers were randomly divided into a control group and a Chinese medicine (CM) group (7 in each group) by a random digital table based on their body weight. Both groups underwent 6° HDBR for 60 days. Subjects in the CM group received daily TYP pills and subjects in the control group received daily placebo pills. Cardiac systolic and pumping functions were measured by echocardiography before HDBR; on days 20, 42, and 57 of HDBR; and on day 3 of recovery after HDBR (R+3). Cardiopulmonary functional reserve and exercise capacity were evaluated before HDBR, on day 29, and on day R+3 by exercise testing. RESULTS: The heart rate (HR) increased gradually during HDBR. The HR was significantly higher on day 57 than before HDBR in the control group (P<0.05), but did not increase significantly in the CM group. The stroke volume/stroke volume index, ejection fraction, and left ventricular fractional shortening tended to decrease over time in the control group, but not in the CM group. These parameters were significantly higher in the CM group than in the control group on day 42 (P<0.05 or <0.01). Exercise testing showed that maximum O2 consumption (VO2max), metabolic equivalents, relative O2 consumption (VO2), O2 pulse, and exercise duration were significantly lower on day 29 than before HDBR in the control group, but not in the CM group. CONCLUSIONS: Sixty days of 6° HDBR induced a reduction in cardiac systolic and pumping functions, and reduced cardiopulmonary functional reserve and exercise capacity. Administration of TYP significantly improved cardiac systolic and pumping functions, and maintained cardiopulmonary functional reserve and exercise capacity.