
Spaceflight results in immunosuppression which is likely due mainly to neurohumoral factors released in response to intermittent stress effects during flight. However, no major non-physiological health problems have been reported during or following spaceflight, but diseases resulting from immunosuppression could occur on long-duration missions and would include bacterial, fungal, and viral infections in addition to increased incidence of neoplasia and autoimmunity. Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics appear to be altered during spaceflight and, as a consequence, alternative drug administration and dosing procedures will need to be developed. Moderate exercise training enhances immune function, but in-flight exercise may affect immunological parameters and immunity in ways not yet ascertained. Hyperosmolality may enhance some immune parameters, and attenuate others especially when associated with dehydration and exercise. Reducing in-flight stress may attenuate flight-induced immunosuppression, but pharmacological interventions may be essential to prevent undesirable immune responses which may occur on long-duration missions to Mars.
Dehydration, Space Flight, Infections, Autoimmune Diseases, Exercise Therapy, Occupational Exposure, Radiation, Ionizing, Aerospace Medicine, Immune Tolerance, Humans, Pharmacokinetics, Stress, Psychological
Dehydration, Space Flight, Infections, Autoimmune Diseases, Exercise Therapy, Occupational Exposure, Radiation, Ionizing, Aerospace Medicine, Immune Tolerance, Humans, Pharmacokinetics, Stress, Psychological
| selected citations These citations are derived from selected sources. This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 25 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Average | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Top 10% | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% |
