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Toxicology Issues of Lunar Dust Effects on Biological Objects (Literature Review)

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Abstract

Long-term lunar missions by humans will require a toxicological and hygienic assessment of the biological activity of lunar dust as one of the main factors limiting the duration of human stay on the lunar surface. The review summarizes the results of research aimed at studying the toxic process of acute and chronic effects of lunar dust and imitators upon inhalation and intratracheal administration to animals. The analysis of the biological activity of the particles after their penetration into the respiratory tract and lung tissues was carried out. Based on the modern understanding of the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis, a hypothesis regarding the development of the toxic process of lung damage under the influence of lunar dust was formulated: mechanical damage of the alveolar epithelium by the particles, increased microvascular permeability, development of local and systemic autoimmune inflammatory reactions, activation of cytokine regulation of the inflammatory, and fibroplastic process in the lungs and heart.

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Funding

The work was carried out within the basic topics of the Russian Academy of Sciences no. 64.1 and no. 65.3.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Biomedical Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia

    M. Yu. Barantseva, L. N. Mukhamedieva, D. S. Ozerov, A. A. Pakhomova, P. V. Lashukov & I. A. Grabeklis

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  1. M. Yu. Barantseva
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  2. L. N. Mukhamedieva
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  3. D. S. Ozerov
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  4. A. A. Pakhomova
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  5. P. V. Lashukov
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  6. I. A. Grabeklis
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Correspondence to M. Yu. Barantseva.

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Translated by D. Novikova

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Barantseva, M.Y., Mukhamedieva, L.N., Ozerov, D.S. et al. Toxicology Issues of Lunar Dust Effects on Biological Objects (Literature Review). Hum Physiol 49, 731–738 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1134/S0362119723070022

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