Astronaut's blood after space flight shows signs of DNA mutations

A new US study found that the blood of astronauts who flew into space more than 20 years ago showed signs of DNA mutations, a high risk of cancer and many potential diseases.

According to a study published in the journal Nature Communications Biology, the blood of all 14 astronauts in the NASA space shuttle program showed signs of DNA mutations.

This group of astronauts participated in different space shuttle missions between 1998 and 2001, averaging 12 days in length.

Recent scientific studies show that the impact of cosmic light on human blood and bone tissue is profound.

The researchers collected blood samples from the astronauts twice: the first time 10 days before spaceflight and the second time on the day of landing. White blood cells were collected once at three days after landing. Those samples were put in a freezer at -80 degrees Celsius and not opened for 20 years.

"Astronauts work in an extreme environment, exposed to radiation," said David Goukassian, professor of cardiology at the Institute of Cardiology at Icahn Mount Sinai in New York. Spatial and multiple factors can lead to somatic mutations".

The study was conducted to understand the potential health risks of astronauts' exposure to various harmful factors during space exploration missions. This is important for planning future space explorations.

The researchers used DNA sequencing and bioinformatic analysis to identify 34 mutations in 17 genes that control cell division and growth. They found that the most common mutations occurred in TP3, a gene that produces a tumor suppressor protein, and DNMT3A, one of the most frequently mutated genes in acute myeloid leukemia.

Although these mutations are unusual for the age of today's astronauts, the researchers say it's not a cause for concern.

"The presence of these mutations does not mean that the astronauts in this study will develop cardiovascular disease or cancer. But it may happen if they (or later astronauts) continue to do so. continuous and prolonged exposure to the harsh environment of space," said Professor Goukassian.

At the moment, the research team cannot confirm anything. Further studies on the health of the astronaut group and their likelihood of developing disease are still underway.

As NASA kicks off the Artemis program, previous observational studies of astronauts' health will be key to the future success of not only flights to the Moon but to Mars and beyond. .

According to researchers from the Icahn Mount Sinai Heart Institute, the NASA medical team should screen astronauts for somatic mutations every three to five years. That will allow NASA to make informed predictions about which astronauts are more likely to develop the disease based on these research findings.

The screening will also open the door to precision medicine approaches for early intervention and disease prevention for spaceflight missionaries.

1. Previously, a scientific study also showed that astronauts participating in spaceflights lasting more than three months showed signs of osteoporosis, even after they had been back to Earth for a year. This shows that the impact of cosmic light on human bone tissue is profound.