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Respiratory System in Microgravity

John B. West, Harold J. B. Guy, Ann R. Elliott, G. Kim Prisk

10.1002/cphy.cp040130

Source: Supplement 14: Handbook of Physiology, Environmental Physiology

Originally published: 1996

Published online: January 2011

Full Article on Wiley Online Library



Abstract

The sections in this article are:

1 Topographical Differences of Pulmonary Structure and Function
1.1 Normal Gravity
1.2 Effect of Short Periods of Microgravity
1.3 Effect of Sustained Microgravity
1.4 Nongravitational Inequality of Ventilation and Bloodflow
2 Mechanics of Lung and Chest Wall
2.1 Lung Volume and Chest Wall Configuration
2.2 Flow‐volume Curves
3 Pulmonary Bloodflow and Blood Volume
4 Pulmonary Retention of Inhaled Aerosol
5 Nitrogen Washout for Extravehicular Activity
6 Spacecraft Atmosphere
Figure 1. Figure 1.

Regional difference of pulmonary structure and function caused by gravity. Presumably these will be reduced in microgravity.
Figure 2. Figure 2.

Effect of +Gz acceleration on the distribution of pulmonary bloodflow obtained using 133‐xenon. The acceleration vector is vertically downward as in a tight turn in a high performance aircraft. Note that at +2G and +3G, substantial amounts of the upper lung were unperfused.

From Glaister 19 with permission
Figure 3. Figure 3.

Single‐breath nitrogen washouts showing the effect of a short period of microgravity as obtained in parabolic flight. The washouts follow a vital capacity inspiration of pure oxygen with a bolus of argon added at the beginning. Note that the tracings at 1G showed prominent cardiogenic oscillations and terminal rises indicating topographical inequality of ventilation. These were greatly reduced when the test inspiration was made at 0G.

From Michels and West 35 with permission
Figure 4. Figure 4.

A: effect of short periods of 0G, 1G, and 2G on the inhomogeneity of pulmonary bloodflow. The inequality was determined from the height of the cardiogenic oscillations in exhaled O2 and CO2 following a brief hyperventilation and 15 s breath‐hold at total lung capacity (see text). The insets show part of the alveolar plateau at increased gain to illustrate the cardiogenic oscillations more clearly. Note the marked reduction in the oscillations at 0G indicating a more uniform topographical distribution of bloodflow. B: heights of the cardiogenic oscillations at the 3 different G levels.

From Michels and West 35 with permission
Figure 5. Figure 5.

Effect of sustained microgravity on the inhomogeneity of ventilation measured in Spacelab SLS‐1. Note the reduction in size of the cardiogenic oscillations of both nitrogen and argon indicating a more uniform distribution of ventilation. However, considerable inequality remained. Also note that the volume of phase 4 as measured with argon was unchanged. Compare with Figure 3.

From Guy et al. 22 with permission
Figure 6. Figure 6.

Effect of sustained microgravity on the inhomogeneity of bloodflow measured in Spacelab SLS‐1. The reduction in the cardiogenic oscillations indicated a more uniform distribution of bloodflow, but considerable inequality remained. Compare with Figure 4.

From Prisk et al. 44 with permission
Figure 7. Figure 7.

A: changes in functional residual capacity (FRC,) and end‐expiratory thoraco–abdominal volume (Vw). Bars show standard errors. Note the almost equal decline of both variables at 0G. B: change in end‐expiratory rib cage (Vrc) and abdominal (Vab) volumes at different G levels. Note the substantial fall in abdominal volume at 0G.

From Paiva et al. 40 with permission
Figure 8. Figure 8.

Diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide measured preflight, on flight days 2, 4, and 9, and on days 0, 1 or 2, 4, and 6 after return to 1G. Data are normalized to the preflight standing value; bars indicate standard errors. Note the increase in diffusing capacity during flight and the postflight return to preflight values.

From Prisk et al. 43 with permission
Figure 9. Figure 9.

Percentage increase in pulmonary capillary blood volume (Vc) and membrane diffusing capacity (DM) in the transitions from the preflight standing to supine postures, and preflight standing to 0G. Note that while Vc increased to almost the same extent, there was a much larger rise in DM in microgravity than in the supine posture. This is thought to be caused by the more uniform filling of the pulmonary capillaries.

From Prisk et al. 43 with permission
Figure 10. Figure 10.

Cardiac output (normalized to preflight standing) measured in Spacelab SLS‐1 using the nitrous oxide rebreathing technique. Note the increase during microgravity and decrease during the week postflight. The highest value was found 24 h after the beginning of microgravity, and the lowest value on the day of return. Bars indicate SEM. Asterisk indicates P < 0.05 compared with preflight standing; + indicates P < 0.05 compared with preflight supine.

From Prisk et al. 43 with permission


Figure 1.

Regional difference of pulmonary structure and function caused by gravity. Presumably these will be reduced in microgravity.



Figure 2.

Effect of +Gz acceleration on the distribution of pulmonary bloodflow obtained using 133‐xenon. The acceleration vector is vertically downward as in a tight turn in a high performance aircraft. Note that at +2G and +3G, substantial amounts of the upper lung were unperfused.

From Glaister 19 with permission


Figure 3.

Single‐breath nitrogen washouts showing the effect of a short period of microgravity as obtained in parabolic flight. The washouts follow a vital capacity inspiration of pure oxygen with a bolus of argon added at the beginning. Note that the tracings at 1G showed prominent cardiogenic oscillations and terminal rises indicating topographical inequality of ventilation. These were greatly reduced when the test inspiration was made at 0G.

From Michels and West 35 with permission


Figure 4.

A: effect of short periods of 0G, 1G, and 2G on the inhomogeneity of pulmonary bloodflow. The inequality was determined from the height of the cardiogenic oscillations in exhaled O2 and CO2 following a brief hyperventilation and 15 s breath‐hold at total lung capacity (see text). The insets show part of the alveolar plateau at increased gain to illustrate the cardiogenic oscillations more clearly. Note the marked reduction in the oscillations at 0G indicating a more uniform topographical distribution of bloodflow. B: heights of the cardiogenic oscillations at the 3 different G levels.

From Michels and West 35 with permission


Figure 5.

Effect of sustained microgravity on the inhomogeneity of ventilation measured in Spacelab SLS‐1. Note the reduction in size of the cardiogenic oscillations of both nitrogen and argon indicating a more uniform distribution of ventilation. However, considerable inequality remained. Also note that the volume of phase 4 as measured with argon was unchanged. Compare with Figure 3.

From Guy et al. 22 with permission


Figure 6.

Effect of sustained microgravity on the inhomogeneity of bloodflow measured in Spacelab SLS‐1. The reduction in the cardiogenic oscillations indicated a more uniform distribution of bloodflow, but considerable inequality remained. Compare with Figure 4.

From Prisk et al. 44 with permission


Figure 7.

A: changes in functional residual capacity (FRC,) and end‐expiratory thoraco–abdominal volume (Vw). Bars show standard errors. Note the almost equal decline of both variables at 0G. B: change in end‐expiratory rib cage (Vrc) and abdominal (Vab) volumes at different G levels. Note the substantial fall in abdominal volume at 0G.

From Paiva et al. 40 with permission


Figure 8.

Diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide measured preflight, on flight days 2, 4, and 9, and on days 0, 1 or 2, 4, and 6 after return to 1G. Data are normalized to the preflight standing value; bars indicate standard errors. Note the increase in diffusing capacity during flight and the postflight return to preflight values.

From Prisk et al. 43 with permission


Figure 9.

Percentage increase in pulmonary capillary blood volume (Vc) and membrane diffusing capacity (DM) in the transitions from the preflight standing to supine postures, and preflight standing to 0G. Note that while Vc increased to almost the same extent, there was a much larger rise in DM in microgravity than in the supine posture. This is thought to be caused by the more uniform filling of the pulmonary capillaries.

From Prisk et al. 43 with permission


Figure 10.

Cardiac output (normalized to preflight standing) measured in Spacelab SLS‐1 using the nitrous oxide rebreathing technique. Note the increase during microgravity and decrease during the week postflight. The highest value was found 24 h after the beginning of microgravity, and the lowest value on the day of return. Bars indicate SEM. Asterisk indicates P < 0.05 compared with preflight standing; + indicates P < 0.05 compared with preflight supine.

From Prisk et al. 43 with permission
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How to Cite

John B. West, Harold J. B. Guy, Ann R. Elliott, G. Kim Prisk. Respiratory System in Microgravity. Compr Physiol 2011, Supplement 14: Handbook of Physiology, Environmental Physiology: 675-689. First published in print 1996. doi: 10.1002/cphy.cp040130