Bone cells under microgravity

Peng Shang, Jian Zhang, Airong Qian, Jingbao Li, Rui Meng, Shengmeng Di, Lifang Hu, Zhongze Gu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

Weightlessness environment (also microgravity) during the exploration of space is the major condition which must be faced by astronauts. One of the most serious adverse effects on astronauts is the weightlessness-induced bone loss due to the unbalanced bone remodeling. Bone remodeling of human beings has evolved during billions of years to make bone tissue adapt to the gravitational field of Earth (1g) and maintain skeleton structure to meet mechanical loading on Earth. However, under weightlessness environment the skeleton system no longer functions against the pull of gravity, so there is no necessity to keep bone strong enough to support the body's weight. Therefore, the balance of bone remodeling is disrupted and bone loss occurs, which is extremely deleterious to an astronaut's health during long-term spaceflight. Bone remodeling is mainly orchestrated by bone mesenchymal stem cells, osteoblasts, osteocytes, and osteoclasts. Here, we review how these bone cells respond to microgravity environment.

Original languageEnglish
Article number1340006
JournalJournal of Mechanics in Medicine and Biology
Volume13
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2013

Keywords

  • Microgravity
  • bone cells
  • bone loss
  • bone remodeling

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