Engineering topics

Morey-Holton, E. R.

Publications and source records attributed to Morey-Holton, E. R..

22 records · Page 2

NASA NTRS1984

Bone loss in tail-suspended rats in restricted to the unweighted limbs

Space flight which results in certain characteristic changes in the skeleton and it was hypothesized that these abnormalities are a direct result of the weightless state. To determine the role of PTH and 1,25(OH)2D in the bone changes associated with weightlessness, we studied bone metabolism under various dietary conditions using an Earth based rat model system which simulates weightlessness. In this model, rats are suspended by their tails such that their rear limbs are completely unloaded while their fore limbs are normally loaded. It is suggested that skeletal unloading induces a localized defect in the unloaded bone which results in abnormal growth and mineralization. It is concluded that skeletal unloading may make the unloaded bone more or less sensitive to a systemic factor which in turn could account for a change in bone metabolism.

Bikle, D. D.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Simulating certain aspects of hypogravity: Effects on the mandibular incisors of suspended rats (PULEH model)

The effect of a hypogravity simulating model on the rate of mandibular incisor formation, dentinogenesis and, amelogenesis in laboratory rats was studied. The model is the partial unloading by elevating the hindquarters. In this system, rat hindquarters are elevated 30 to 40 deg from the cage floors to completely unload the hindlimbs, but the animals are free to move about using their forelimbs. This model replicates the fluid sift changes which occur during the weightlessness of spaceflight and produces an osteopenia in the weight bearing skeletons. The histogenesis and/or mineralization rates of the mandibular incisor during the first 19d of PULEH in young growing rats are recorded.

Simmons, D. J.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Changes in osteoblastic activity due to simulated weightless conditions

Using histochemistry and electron microscopy, the reduced bone formation which occurs in the hypokinetic, orthostatically treated adult rat has been studied. The two major changes noted occurred in the osteoblast population, indicated by a reduced alkaline phosphatase activity and reduced numbers of gap junctions between cells. These results were most noticeable in the periosteum and endosteum of the long bones. Changes in osteoblasts lining the surface of trabecular bone were not as evident. These results indicate that the cells lining the surfaces of weight bearing bones are most affected by hypokinesia and this reduction in cellular activity may be a mechanically induced effect.

Doty, S. B.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Is suppression of bone formation during simulated weightlessness related to glucocorticoid levels

To investigate the hypothesis that suppression of bone formation in the suspended rat model was the result of increased levels of corticosterone, experiments were performed on young, growing, male rats exposed either to 4 C or suspended for two weeks. Rats suspended on the model system, designed to simulate certain aspects of spaceflight, gained weight at a rate at least equal to control animals but still showed a significant suppression of bone formation within 7 days. Cold-exposed rats gained less weight than their corresponding control group and did not demonstrate any suppression of bone formation. These findings suggest: (1) tail suspension is less stressful than previously used harness systems; (2) suspension in young, rapidly growing rats causes a significant suppression of cortical bone formation; (3) cold exposure does not alter bone formation rate in rats of a similar age and strain to those suspended in this study; and (4) suppression of bone formation provoked by unloading the rear limbs is not due solely to sustained stimulation of the pituitary-adrenal system.

Morey-Holton, E. R.↗