(Web Desk) - A new study indicates that a round trip to Mars could significantly impact astronauts’ kidneys. Space is one of the most inhospitable environments for humans. Despite this, space agencies and private companies such as SpaceX have ambitious plans to send humans on a journey as long as to Mars.
A new study indicates that a round trip to Mars could significantly impact astronauts’ kidneys.
This research, led by experts from various institutions, including University College London (UCL), reveals concerning insights.
“If we don’t develop new ways to protect the kidneys, I’d say that while an astronaut could make it to Mars they might need dialysis on the way back.
We know that the kidneys are late to show signs of radiation damage; by the time this becomes apparent it’s probably too late to prevent failure, which would be catastrophic for the mission’s chances of success,” said Dr Keith Siew, first author of the study from the London Tubular Centre at the UCL.
Largest study of kidney health
Earth residents are shielded from harmful space radiation every second of the day by the planet’s magnetic field.
However, the human body is not designed to withstand persistent, fatal exposure to space radiation, such as solar winds from the sun and galactic cosmic radiation (GCR) from deep space.
According to the new study, galactic cosmic radiation may alter the structure and function of the kidneys. This alteration in the organ’s original shape may increase the risk of kidney stones and other health complications.
In some cases, it may cause “permanent damage” to astronauts’ kidneys during long-duration missions to Mars.
You may ask how the researchers came to this startling conclusion, given that no crewed mission to the Red Planet has been conducted.
The research team conducted a series of studies to investigate the effects of long-duration spaceflight on kidney function.
The experiments entailed biomolecular, physiological, and anatomical analyses of data and samples from 20 study groups.
The samples were gathered from over 40 space trips to the International Space Station and commercial flights to Low Earth orbit involving people and mice. Furthermore, they ran 11 space simulations with mice and rats.
Permanent kidney damage
The researchers highlight that this is the largest study of kidney health in space flight. The study’s findings demonstrated that space settings “remodeled” human and animal kidneys.
After less than a month of exposure to space conditions, some kidney tubules began to shrink. These tubules play a key role in calcium and salt balance. In this experimental study, the researchers attribute this shrinkage primarily to microgravity rather than GCR.
However, the study found that space flight affects the way kidneys process salts, which is thought to be a key contributor to the production of kidney stones.
Alarmingly, the mice subjected to simulated GCR for 2.5 years developed irreversible kidney damage and functional loss. This shows that astronauts’ kidneys may face severe hazards during a three-year mission to Mars.
While the challenges are daunting, understanding these biological risks is the first step towards developing solutions.
“You can’t protect them from galactic radiation using shielding, but as we learn more about renal biology it may be possible to develop technological or pharmaceutical measures to facilitate extended space travel,” said Stephen B. Walsh, senior author of the study.