Abstract
The currently frustrating problem of discrepancies between the non-significant calcium metabolic balance reports and the radiologic indications of bone loss in astronauts is discussed in reference to clinical data derived from human subjects with their musculoskeletal system immobilized by plaster casts.
The pertinent literature is cited, the biochemical profile of environmentally induced osteoporosis is presented, the various concepts of calcium metabolism are reviewed, the clinical chemistry with radiologic findings on the Gemini astronauts are discussed, and the weightlessness syndrome is related to calcium utilization in the body.
Hormones are assessed as relatively active in calcium absorption, in bone resorption, and in accelerating metabolic activity. Enzymes are portayed as behaving somewhat passive in calcium metabolism disorders.
It is concluded that the results of research now in progress may clear up the problem of whether the densitometric results are in error or whether there occur intra-skeletal transfers of bone mineral not detected by balance investigations.
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Douglas, W.R. The calcium metabolism problem in space medical science. Space Life Sciences 2, 151–157 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01101281
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01101281