Space flight and peroxidative damage

Space flight is associated with an increase of peroxidative damage after returning to 1 g. The effect is more pronounced after long-duration space flight and can even last for several weeks after landing. In humans there is increased lipid peroxidation in erythrocyte membranes, reduced blood antioxidants, and increased urinary excretion of 8-iso-prostaglandin F 2α and 8-oxo-7, 8 dihydro-2 deoxyguanosine. Isoprostane 8-iso-prostaglandin F 2α and 8-oxo-7,8 dihydro-2 deoxyguanosine are markers for oxidative damage to lipids and DNA, respectively. The changes are attributed to a combination of energy deficiency that occurs during flight and substrate competition for amino acids occurring between repleted muscle and other tissues during the recovery phase. The observations in humans have been complemented by studies in rodents, which showed increased production of lipid peroxidation products and decreased antioxidant enzyme activity afterflight. The changes in rodents were attributed to the stress associated with re-entry into Earth′s gravity. Reducing the imbalance between the production of endogenous oxidant defenses and oxidant production by increasing the supply antioxidants in diet may lessen the severity of the postflight increase in oxidative stress.