Hormonal changes during 17 days of head-down bed-rest

Life Sci. 2003 Jan 17;72(9):1001-14. doi: 10.1016/s0024-3205(02)02349-4.

Abstract

We investigated in six men the impact of 17 days of head-down bed rest (HDBR) on the daily rhythms of the hormones involved in hydroelectrolytic regulation. This HDBR study was designed to mimic a real space flight. Urine samples were collected at each voiding before, during and after HDBR. Urinary excretion of Growth Hormone (GH), Cortisol, 6 Sulfatoxymelatonin, Normetadrenaline (NMN) and Metadrenaline (NM) was determined. A decrease in urinary cortisol excretion during the night of HDBR was noted. For GH, a rhythm was found before and during HDBR. The rhythm of melatonin, evaluated with the urine excretion of 6 Sulfatoxymelatonin (aMT6S), the main hepatic metabolite, persisted throughout the experiment without any modification to the level of phase. A decrease during the night was noted for normetadrenaline urinary derivates, but only during the HDBR.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bed Rest*
  • Body Weight / physiology
  • Catecholamines / urine
  • Circadian Rhythm / physiology
  • Diuresis / physiology
  • Growth Hormone / urine
  • Head-Down Tilt* / adverse effects
  • Head-Down Tilt* / physiology
  • Hemodynamics / physiology
  • Hormones / urine*
  • Humans
  • Hydrocortisone / urine
  • Male
  • Melatonin / analogs & derivatives*
  • Melatonin / urine
  • Space Flight*

Substances

  • Catecholamines
  • Hormones
  • 6-sulfatoxymelatonin
  • Growth Hormone
  • Melatonin
  • Hydrocortisone