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Cited by 344Spaceflight effects on biologySpace Exploration and TechnologyPharmaceutical studies and practices

Supplying a pharmacy for NASA exploration spaceflight: challenges and current understanding

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Blue, Rebecca S., Bayuse, Tina M., Daniels, Vernie R., Wotring, Virginia E., Suresh, Rahul, Mulcahy, Robert A., Antonsen, Erik L.·2019·npj Microgravity
DOI 10.1038/s41526-019-0075-2PMC PMC6565689
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Abstract

In order to maintain crew health and performance during long-duration spaceflight outside of low-Earth orbit, NASA and its international partners must be capable of providing a safe and effective pharmacy. Given few directed studies of pharmaceuticals in the space environment, it is difficult to characterize pharmaceutical effectiveness or stability during spaceflight; this in turn makes it challenging to select an appropriate formulary for exploration. Here, we present the current state of literature regarding pharmaceutical stability, metabolism, and effectiveness during spaceflight. In particular, we have attempted to highlight the gaps in current knowledge and the difficulties in translating terrestrial-based drug studies to a meaningful interpretation of drug stability, safety, and effectiveness in space. We hope to identify high-yield opportunities for future research that might better define and mitigate pharmaceutical risk for exploration missions.

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  • The reduction of total body water due to fluid displacement and renal excretion can affect the volume of distribution of the drugs and antioxidants consumed.

    “The reduction of total body water due to fluid displacement and renal excretion can also affect the volume of distribution of the drugs and antioxidants consumed109.”

    From Key points for the development of antioxidant cocktails to prevent cellular stress and damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) during manned space missions (2021) · cites this paper as [109]

    The “Spaceflight pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics” section says reduced total body water from fluid shifting and renal excretion may alter the volume of distribution of consumed drugs. It does not extend that statement to consumed antioxidants. No page number is provided in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.88)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Delayed gastric emptying due to microgravity conditions or the side effects of medications being administered to control nausea induced by spaceflight could alter the absorption of antioxidant compounds in the gastrointestinal tract.

    “Delayed gastric emptying due to microgravity conditions or the side effects of medications being administered to control nausea induced by spaceflight could alter the absorption of antioxidant compounds in the gastrointestinal tract109.”

    From Key points for the development of antioxidant cocktails to prevent cellular stress and damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) during manned space missions (2021) · cites this paper as [109]

    The “Spaceflight pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics” section says delayed gastric emptying associated with microgravity or medications used to control spaceflight-induced nausea may alter gastrointestinal drug absorption. It does not make that claim specifically about antioxidant compounds; the cited discussion concerns drugs, not antioxidant absorption. (LLM, conf=0.90)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Redox intraindividual variability exists, and levels of endogenous antioxidants such as SOD, GSH, GPx, exogenous antioxidants such as vitamin C, and oxidative stress markers are different among individuals and variability could be accentuated during spaceflights as humans respond differently to stress.

    “Interestingly, it has been observed that redox intraindividual variability exists, and the levels of endogenous antioxidants such as SOD, GSH, GPx, exogenous antioxidants such as vitamin C, and oxidative stress markers are different among individuals and variability could be accentuated during spaceflights as humans respond differently to stress109,131,208.”

    From Key points for the development of antioxidant cocktails to prevent cellular stress and damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) during manned space missions (2021) · cites this paper as [109]

    Split into 2 atoms — 0 confirmed, 0 partially supported, 0 disputed, 0 misattributed, 2 unverifiable. Expand the claim to see per-atom verdicts.

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References 78 · Cited by 344

Research works printed but not linked: 69

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Authors
Blue, R. S., Bayuse, T. M., Daniels, V. R., Wotring, V. E., Suresh, R., Mulcahy, R. A., & Antonsen, E. L.
Affiliations
  • GeoControl Systems (United States) (US)
  • KBR (United States) (US)
  • Baylor College of Medicine (US)
  • The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (US)
  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration (US)
Corresponding author
Blue, Rebecca S.
ORCID
Venue
npj Microgravity
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2019-06-13
Volume
5
Issue
1
Pages
14-14
ISSN
2373-8065 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1038/s41526-019-0075-2
PMC
PMC6565689
OpenAlex
W2952310944
Cited by
344
References
78
Citations by year
2026: 23 · 2025: 22 · 2024: 19 · 2023: 23 · 2022: 222 · 2021: 19 · 2020: 11 · 2019: 4
FWCI
7.54
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • npj Microgravity (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration
  • Johnson Space Center
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Spaceflight effects on biology
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Aerospace Engineering › Space Exploration and Technology
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Pharmaceutical studies and practices
Keywords
long-duration spaceflight, formulary selection, crew health, exploration missions

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