Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Plasma Volume”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 55 records · Page 3

Plasma volume during stress in man - Osmolality and red cell volume

The purpose was (1) to test the hypothesis that in man there is a range of plasma osmolality within which the red cell volume (RCV) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) remain essentially constant and (2) to determine the upper limit of this range. During a variety of stresses - submaximal and maximal exercise, heat and altitude exposure, +Gz acceleration, and tilting - changes in plasma osmolality between -1 and +13 mosmol/kg resulted in essentially no change in the regression of percent change in plasma volume (PV) calculated from a change in hematocrit (Hct) on that calculated from a change in Hct + hemoglobin (Hb), i.e., the RCV and MCV were constant. Factors that do not influence RCV are the level of metabolism, heat exposure at rest, and short-term orthostasis (heat-to-foot acceleration). Factors that may influence RCV are exposure to high altitude and long-term orthostasis (head-up tilting). Factors that definitely influence RCV are prior dehydration and extended periods of stress. Thus, either the Hct or the Hct + Hb equations can be used to calculate percent changes in PV under short-term periods of stress when the change in plasma osmolality is less than 13 mosmol/kg.

Greenleaf, J. E.↗

Renal responses to plasma volume expansion and hyperosmolality in fasting seal pups

Renal responses were quantified in northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris) pups during their postweaning fast to examine their excretory capabilities. Pups were infused with either isotonic (0.9%; n = 8; Iso) or hypertonic (16.7%; n = 7; Hyper) saline via an indwelling catheter such that each pup received 3 mmol NaCl/kg. Diuresis after the infusions was similar in magnitude between the two treatments. Osmotic clearance increased by 37% in Iso and 252% in Hyper. Free water clearance was reduced 3.4-fold in Hyper but was not significantly altered in Iso. Glomerular filtration rate increased 71% in the 24-h period after Hyper, but no net change occurred during the same time after Iso. Natriuresis increased 3.6-fold in Iso and 5.3-fold in Hyper. Iso decreased plasma arginine vasopressin (AVP) and cortisol acutely, whereas Hyper increased plasma and excreted AVP and cortisol. Iso was accompanied by the retention of water and electrolytes, whereas the Hyper load was excreted within 24 h. Natriuresis is attributed to increased filtration and is independent of an increase in atrial natriuretic peptide and decreases in ANG II and aldosterone. Fasting pups appear to have well-developed kidneys capable of both extreme conservation and excretion of Na(+).

NASA Center ARC↗

Destruction of newly released red blood cells in space flight

Space flight results in a rapid change in total blood volume, plasma volume, and red blood cell mass because the space to contain blood is decreased. The plasma volume and total blood volume decreases during the first hours in space and remain at a decreased level for the remainder of the flight. During the first several hours following return to earth, plasma volume and total blood volume increase to preflight levels. During the first few days in space recently produced red blood cells disappear from the blood resulting in a decrease in red blood cell mass of 10-15%. Red cells 12 d old or older survive normally and production of new cells continues at near preflight levels. After the first few days in space, the red cell mass is stable at the decreased level. Following return to earth the hemoglobin and red blood cell mass concentrations decrease reflecting the increase in plasma volume. The erythropoietin levels increase responding to "postflight anemia"; red cell production increases, and the red cell mass is restored to preflight levels after several weeks.

STS-58 Shuttle Project↗

Effects of head-down tilt on fluid and electrolyte balance

The metabolic effects of -5 deg tilt were studied in eight normal individuals. Exposure to tilt for 24 hr increased sodium excretion and decreased plasma volume. Plasma renin activity and plasma aldosterone levels were not significantly different from supine values during the first 6 hr of tilting, but were increased significantly at the end of the 24-hr tilt period. Creatinine clearance and potassium balance were not affected by the tilt. These findings indicate that head-down tilt induces a sodium diuresis and stimulation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system.

Volicer, L.↗

Effect Of Leg Exercise On Vascular Volumes During Bed Rest

Report describes experiments on effects of no-exercise regimen and of two leg-exercise regimens on volumes of plasma, volumes of red blood cells, densities of bodies, and water balances of 19 men (32 to 42 years old) confined to minus 6 degrees-head-down bed rest for 30 days. Purpose of study to determine whether either or both exercise regimens maintain plasma volume and to relate levels of hypovolemia to body fluid balances. Results showed during bed rest, plasma volume maintained in isotomic group but not in other two groups, and no significant differences in body densities, body weights, or water balances among three groups. Concludes isotonic-exercise regimen better than isokinetic-exercise regimen for maintaining plasma volume during prolonged exposure to bed rest.

Greenleaf, J. E.↗

Na+ and Ca2+ ingestion - Plasma volume-electrolyte distribution at rest and exercise

The effects of hypernatremia and hypercalcemia on plasma volume and electrolyte distribution during rest, exercise and recovery in cool and hot environments are investigated. Plasma volume, protein and electrolytes were measured in two groups of five men in the supine position during rest, exercise at 40-47% maximal oxygen consumption and recovery in 26.5 C and 39.4 C environments, after ingestion in the rest period of 16-17 ml/kg hypertonic NaCl, isotonic NaCl or hypertonic calcium gluconate solutions. During the rest period, it is found that the hypertonic Ca drink prevents any rise in plasma volume in both cool and hot environments, while hypertonic Na retarded hypervolemia only in the cool environment and consumption of both isotonic and hypertonic Na in the heat resulted in a hypervolemic response twice as great as that in the cool environment. During exercise and recovery, plasma volume is found to be greatest after drinking hypertonic Na in the heat, while the normal hypervolemic responses during exercise were not influenced by drink composition. Results suggest that hypertonic drinks may be better for maintaining plasma volumes during exercise in the heat.

Greenleaf, J. E.↗

Body composition changes in men and women after 2-3 weeks of bed rest

Several parameters of body composition were measured in eight men before and after 14 days of continuous recumbency, and in eight women before and after 17 days of recumbency. The parameters measured included body weight, body water, body potassium, plasma volume, and plasma protein concentrations. From these, values were derived for body fat content, lean body mass, body mass, and circulating plasma proteins. In general, the men and women responded similarly to continuous recumbency. Characteristically, there was significant reduction of plasma volume and body potassium in both groups. The women showed a significant reduction in circulating plasma protein, entirely in the albumin fraction; a similar change was observed in the men. The women, but not the men, showed a significant increase in circulating fibrinogen. Both men and women lost body cell mass, while body fat content remained the same or tended to increase slightly. It is expected that similar changes would occur in weightlessness. It is further concluded that women should tolerate the weightlessness of space flight physiologically as well as men.

Pace, N.↗

Digitally manufactured air plasma-on-water reactor for nitrate production

The sustainable production of food to support the increasing world population is one of humanity’s most pressing challenges. Plasma activated water, produced using renewable energy, can help fulfill plants’ needs in sustainable agriculture approaches. The design, implementation, and characterization of a digitally manufactured air plasma-on-water reactor (POWR) for the synthesis of nitrate as green nitrogen fertilizer is presented. The interaction of air plasma-generated reactive oxygen and nitrogen species with water produces nitrate (NO 3 - ) and related species, which are the main nitrogen-containing nutrients for plants. The mild conditions of the operation of the POWR opens the possibility to use plastics, particularly through digital manufacturing strategies such as 3D-printing, for its fabrication. A pin-to-plate reactor configuration powered by high-voltage alternating power is chosen due to its simplicity and efficacy. A computational thermal-fluid model is used to evaluate the design and attain expected operational characteristics. The experimental characterization of the POWR encompassed design and operation parameters, namely electrode-water spacing, air flow rate, and voltage level. A machine learning approach is implemented to extract and quantify characteristic features of the plasma–water interaction, such plasma volume and plasma–water interface area. Experimental results revealed that the nitrate production rate varies linearly with dimensionless plasma volume. The design, fabrication, and characterization methods presented can be adapted to other POWRs and help enable on-demand nitrogen fertilizer production at low environmental and economic cost.

Physics↗

Inhibition of plasma vasopressin after drinking in dehydrated humans

The effects of nonosmotic and nonvolumetric factors on vasopressin secretion in dehydrated humans has been investigated experimentally, before and after drinking. The subjects of the experiment were five adult men and three adult women weighing 69-77 kg. In order to determine the influence of nonosmotic and nonvolumetric factors on vasopressin secretion, measurements were obtained of the following blood hematological indices: serum Na(+) content; serum K(+) content; osmolality; and hemoglobin. Measurements of hematocrit, plasma arginine vasopressin (AVP), aldosterone, and renin activity were also obtained. It is found that dehydration increased mean serum Na(+) content, osmolality,and AVP. No significant changes were observed in renin activity, hemoglobin, hematocrit, or plasma volume, while plasma aldosterone increased from 11.1 ng/dl after dehydration to 15.6 ng/dl between 30 and 60 min after drinking. A rapid fall of AVP content following rehydration occurred in the absence of changes in the primary regulators of AVP osmolality and plasma volume, with no change in blood pressure. On the basis of the experimental results, it is suggested that oropharyngeal factors may be the mechanism, for the observed decrease in AVP following rehydration.

Geelen, G.↗

Neoclassical transport of tungsten ion bundles in total-f neoclassical gyrokinetic simulations of a whole-volume JET-like plasma

Here, the application of a bundling technique to model the diverse charge states of tungsten impurity species in total-f gyrokinetic simulations is demonstrated. The gyrokinetic bundling method strategically groups tungsten ions of similar charge, optimizing computational efficiency. The initial radial configuration of these bundles and their respective charges are derived from a coronal approximation and the quasi-neutrality of the plasma. A low-density JET H-mode like plasma is simulated using the neoclassical version of XGC across the entire plasma volume, spanning from the magnetic axis to the divertor. An accumulation of tungsten is observed at the pedestal top, as a result of low-Z tungsten ions moving inward from the scrape-off-layer into the core region and high-Z tungsten ions moving outward from the core into the pedestal. This organization of the fluxes cannot be captured by a single tungsten-ion simulation. Large up-down poloidal asymmetries of tungsten form in the pedestal and strongly influence the direction of neoclassical fluxes. The temperature screening effect and its correlation with asymmetries are analyzed.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Albumin infusion in humans does not model exercise induced hypervolaemia after 24 hours

We rapidly infused 234 +/- 3 mL of 5% human serum albumin in eight men while measuring haematocrit, haemoglobin concentration, plasma volume (PV), albumin concentration, total protein concentration, osmolality, sodium concentration, renin activity, aldosterone concentration, and atrial natriuretic peptide concentration to test the hypotheses that plasma volume expansion and plasma albumin content expansion will not persist for 24 h. Plasma volume and albumin content were expanded for the first 6 h after infusion (44.3 +/- 1.9-47.2 +/- 2.0 mL kg-1 and 1.9 +/- 0.1-2.1 +/- 0.1 g kg-1 at pre-infusion and 1 h, respectively, P < 0.05), but by 24 h plasma volume and albumin content decreased significantly from 1 h post-infusion and were not different from pre-infusion (44.8 +/- 1.9 mL kg-1 and 1.9 +/- 0.1 g kg-1, respectively). Plasma aldosterone concentration showed a significant effect of time over the 24 h after infusion (P < 0.05), and showed a trend to decrease at 2 h after infusion (167.6 +/- 32.5(-1) 06.2 +/- 13.4 pg mL-1, P = 0.07). These data demonstrate that a 6.8% expansion of plasma volume and 10.5% expansion of plasma albumin content by infusion does not remain in the vascular space for 24 h and suggest a redistribution occurs between the intravascular space and interstitial fluid space.

Non-NASA Center↗

Is there resetting of central venous pressure in microgravity?

In the early phase of the Space Shuttle program, NASA flight surgeons implemented a fluid-loading countermeasure in which astronauts were instructed to ingest eight 1-g salt tablets with 960 ml of water approximately 2 hours prior to reentry from space. This fluid loading regimen was intended to enhance orthostatic tolerance by replacing circulating plasma volume reduced during the space mission. Unfortunately, fluid loading failed to replace plasma volume in groundbased experiments and has proven minimally effective as a countermeasure against post-spaceflight orthostatic intolerance. In addition to the reduction of plasma volume, central venous pressure (CVP) is reduced during exposure to actual and groundbased analogs of microgravity. In the present study, we hypothesized that the reduction in CVP due to exposure to microgravity represents a resetting of the CVP operating point to a lower threshold. A lower CVP 'setpoint' might explain the failure of fluid loading to restore plasma volume. In order to test this hypothesis, we conducted an investigation in which we administered an acute volume load (stimulus) and measured responses in CVP, plasma volume and renal functions. If our hypothesis is true, we would expect the elevation in CVP induced by saline infusion to return to its pre-infusion levels in both HDT and upright control conditions despite lower vascular volume during HDT. In contrast to previous experiments, our approach is novel in that it provides information on alterations in CVP and vascular volume during HDT that are necessary for interpretation of the proposed CVP operating point resetting hypothesis.

NASA Discipline Cardiopulmonary↗