Cardiovascular Abnormalities, Weightlessness
Conditions
Keywords
Electroacupuncture, Cardiovascular function, Orthostatic tolerance, Head-down bed rest
Brief summary
To investigate the changes of cardiovascular function during short-term simulated weightlessness after electroacupuncture (EA) treatment．
Detailed description
Spaceflight is associated with cardiovascular deregulation. However, the influence of microgravity on the cardiovascular system and the underlying mechanisms and countermeasures remain largely unknown. Our previous studies have demonstrated that electroacupuncture (EA) is effective at improving orthostatic tolerance (OT). The purpose of this study was to determine if EA treatment can attenuate cardiovascular deconditioning induced by a 4-day -6° head-down bed rest (HDBR). Fourteen healthy male subjects were randomly allocated into a control group (Con, n=6, 4 days HDBR without countermeasure) and an EA treatment group (EA, n=8, 4 days HDBR with EA at Neiguan \[PC-6\] for 30 min daily for 4 consecutive days during HDBR). OT was estimated with a combination of +75°/20 min head-up tilt and lower body negative pressure test before and after HDBR. Plasma hormones and heart rate variability were assessed before and after HDBR. Cardiac systolic functions and cerebral blood flow were measured before, during, and after HDBR. The data showed that EA treatment applied daily for 30 min during a 4-day HDBR prevented OT and cardiac systolic function from decrease, prevented autonomic dysfunction (a decrease in the activity of the parasympathetic nervous system), and increased the concentrations of plasma angiotensin II (Ang II) and aldosterone (Ald). These results indicate that 30 min of daily EA treatment at PC-6 is highly effective in partially maintaining OT and cardiac systolic function. Activation of the peripheral sympathetic nervous system and increased plasma hormones is largely responsible for maintaining OT after a 4-day HDBR. Therefore, EA treatment appears to be an effective countermeasure against cardiovascular deconditioning induced by HDBR.
Interventions
DEVICEelectronic acupuncture treatment instrument
Electroacupuncture was performed using small-sized (1.5 cm) cutaneous electrode pads placed bilaterally at the PC-6 points of the forearms (Supplementary Figure 1). The intensity of the electrical stimulation was adjusted to produce the most intense tolerable electrical sensation without muscle contractions or uncomfortable feelings at a frequency of 50 Hz using the Hwato electronic acupuncture treatment instrument (Model No. SDZ-II; Suzhou Medical Appliances Co, Ltd, Suzhou, China).
Sponsors
Air Force Military Medical University, China
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
MALE
Age
20 Years to 28 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* The subjects were healthy and physically fit but were not athletes.Comprehensive physical, psychological and routine blood chemistry examinations were performed to select qualified subjects for this research.No medication, smoking, alcohol, or caffeinated drinks were allowed during the study.
Exclusion criteria
* skeleton-muscle diseases, visual or acoustic dysfunction, organic and functional diseases of psychiatry and neurology as well as sleep disorders
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Orthostatic tolerance test | 35 minutes | The subjects remained at rest in a supine position for 15 min to collect control data, and then tilted to 75° head-up tilt testing (HUT) for 5 second followed by increasing steps of lower body negative pressure (LBNP). LBNP began at -20mm Hg for 5 minutes followed by an increase of -20 mm Hg every 5 minutes until -60 mm Hg (total duration = 20 minutes) or presyncope. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Measurements of cardiac systolic function and cerebral blood flow | 6 days |
Countries
China
Outcome results
None listed