1)北京理工大学生命学院,北京 100081;2)延安大学感觉与运动疾病转化医学研究中心,延安 716000
Tel:
国家自然科学基金(82074564,30971424)资助项目。
1)School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing100081, China;2)Center for Translational Medicine Research on Sensory-Motor Diseases, Yan’an University, Yan’an716000, China
This work was supported by grants from The National Natural Science Foundation of China (82074564, 30971424).
长期太空飞行会对航天员的心血管、骨骼和神经系统等产生影响。由失重导致的航天员骨骼和肌肉系统出现的结构和功能性变化,可引发腰背痛,严重降低航天员执行任务、应急能力及返航后的生活质量。与正常重力环境不同,失重环境下腰背痛的产生、维持和缓解机制复杂,是目前空间特种医学研究的重点和难点之一。其原因可能与椎间盘(intervertebral disc,IVD)肿胀和(或)突出、脊柱伸长、腰椎弧度减小、椎旁肌肉退行性病变、神经系统改变、心理因素及其他解剖病理改变有关。为了降低航天员在空间站长期执行任务时出现的腰背痛,可以通过特殊服装、体位、运动、光生物调节、心理、药物及其他针对性的对抗措施进行缓解。本文就近年来太空飞行或模拟微重力诱发腰背痛的可能原因及针对性的治疗策略做一简要综述,以期能更深入地阐明失重环境下的腰背痛发生、发展的机制,并为制订适用于长期太空飞行腰背痛的预防、治疗和康复指南提供参考。
It has been demonstrated that long-term space flights have a significantly greater impact on the cardiovascular, skeletal, and nervous systems of astronauts. The structural and functional alterations in the skeletal and muscular systems resulting from exposure to weightlessness can lead to the development of low back pain, significantly impairing the ability of astronauts to perform tasks and respond to emergencies. Both space flight and simulated microgravity have been shown to result in low back pain among astronauts, with the following factors identified as primary contributors to this phenomenon. The occurrence of intervertebral disc (IVD) edema results in the stimulation of type IV mechanoreceptors, which subsequently activate nociceptive afferents. The protrusion of an IVD causes compression of the spinal nerve roots. Furthermore, the elongation of the vertebral column and/or the diminished lumbar curvature of the spine exert traction on the dorsal root nerves. Paravertebral muscle degeneration leads to the inhibition of decreased nociceptive activity of the wide-dynamic range neurons of the spinal dorsal horn. Moreover, endogenous pain descending facilitation triggered by conditioning stimulation can be enhanced via the thalamic mediodorsal nuclei, while endogenous pain descending inhibition triggered by conditioning stimulation can be weakened via the thalamic ventromedial nuclei. Psychological factors may contribute to the development of low back pain. The mechanisms governing the generation, maintenance, and alleviation of low back pain in weightlessness differ from those observed in normal gravitational environments. This presents a significant challenge for space medicine research. Therefore, the elucidation of the occurrence and development mechanism of low back pain in weightlessness is important for the prevention and treatment during space flight. To reduce the incidence of low back pain during long-term missions on the space station, astronauts may choose to wear specialized space clothing that can provide axial physiological loads, designed to stimulate both musculature and skeletal structures, mitigating potential increases in vertebral column length, diminished lumbar curvature, and intervertebral disc edema and/or muscular atrophy. Additionally, assuming a “fetal tuck position” described as the knees to chest position may increase lumbar IVD hydrostatic pressure, subsequently reducing disc volume, rectifying diminished lumbar curvature, and alleviating dorsal root nerve tensions. Moreover, this position may reduce type IV mechanoreceptor facilitation and nerve impulse propagation from the sinuvertebral nerves of the annulus fibrosus. Elongated posterior soft tissues (apophyseal joint capsules and ligaments) with spinal flexion may potentially stimulate type I and II mechanoreceptors. It is also recommended to exercise the paraspinal muscles to prevent and alleviate the decrease in their cross-sectional area and maintain their structure and function. Photobiomodulation has been proved to be an effective means of activating the pain descending inhibition pathway of the central nervous system. In addition, astronauts should be encouraged to participate in mission-related activities and strive to avoid psychological problems caused by the long-term confinement in a small space station. The article presents a concise review of potential causes and targeted treatment strategies for low back pain induced by space flight or simulated microgravity in recent years. Its objective is to further elucidate the mechanisms underlying the occurrence and development of low back pain in weightless environments while providing scientific evidence to inform the development of guidelines for preventing, treating, and rehabilitating low back pain during long-term space flights.
刘延峰,雷静,尤浩军.太空飞行或模拟微重力引发航天员腰背痛的机制及缓解措施[J].生物化学与生物物理进展,2025,52(1):133-146
复制生物化学与生物物理进展 ® 2025 版权所有 ICP:京ICP备05023138号-1 京公网安备 11010502031771号