Hepatology in space: Effects of spaceflight and simulated microgravity on the liver. (12th October 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vinken, Mathieu
• Is Part Of: Liver international. Volume 42:Number 12(2022)
• Page Start: 2599
• Page End: 2606
• Publication Date: 2022-10-12
• Subjects: biotransformation -- carbohydrate metabolism -- homeostasis -- lipid metabolism -- liver -- microgravity -- spaceflight; Liver -- Periodicals; Liver -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.362
• DOI: 10.1111/liv.15444
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1478-3223

Abstract

Abstract: Microgravity as experienced during spaceflight affects a number of physiological processes in various organs. However, effects on the liver have yet been poorly documented. Nevertheless, the liver is a metabolically highly active organ involved in carbohydrate metabolism, lipid metabolism and xenobiotic biotransformation. The present paper provides an overview of the effects of microgravity on the liver observed in experimental animals during actual spaceflight and upon simulation of microgravity on Earth. These include (i) induction of liver injury and inflammation associated with apoptosis and oxidative stress, (ii) changes in liver carbohydrate metabolism resulting in the onset of a diabetogenic phenotype, (iii) modifications in hepatic lipid metabolism leading to early non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease and (iv) alterations of the hepatic xenobiotic biotransformation machinery. Although most of these observations remain to be fully validated in humans, appropriate measures to counteract liver pathogenesis should be considered, especially in view of long‐term space missions.