Unusual Space Experiment Will Pave Way For Anti-Ageing Treatment In Humans

Could we reverse ageing by using the knowledge of what happens to human muscles in space? Well, scientists think so!

When astronauts are in space, they're in a microgravity environment aboard the International Space Station (ISS). When a human being spends too long in zero gravity and microgravity, their muscles become weak over time. This happens to humans naturally on Earth, but in the later stages of our lives. By assessing the similarities in ageing in space and on Earth, scientists want to be able to interfere with the process.

In essence, they want to take lessons from space and implement them on Earth to make sure people on Earth have flexible joints supported by healthy muscles for longer.

Nature

What is the space muscle mission about?

In December, 2021, a SpaceX rocket took off from Florida with more than 70 samples of human muscle. The goal? To study the impact of microgravity on muscle function. The experiment cost $15,06,276 and returned to Earth in January, 2022. Each muscle sample as small as a grain of rice, they were packed into 24 holders that were 3D-printed.

On the space station, the muscles were electrically stimulated to induce contractions in the tissue. Now, it's up to the scientists! Professor Malcolm Jackson from the University of Liverpool told Science Digest that they now intend to study body's ageing processes in space in hopes of developing "ways to interfere in that process."

Also read: Smartphone-Sized Spaceships Could Hold Key To Space Exploration, Study Finds

For starters, Jackson believes that muscle health deteriorates in space because there is no stress on the muscle and all the tension has been pulled. This, they think, also happens to people in old-age on Earth.

ESA

Humans have a set of muscles intended to lend support in the face of gravity's force. These are known as antigravity muscles and include the calf muscles, quadriceps, and a few muscles in the back and neck, Express reported.

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To ensure their muscle health stays intact in space, astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) exercise for at least two hours a day. Scientists now want to expand their understanding of space ageing vis-¨¤-vis ageing on Earth through "parallels between what's going on in space and what occurs in other tissues."

Also read: Farthest Human-Made Spacecraft In Interstellar Space Is Sending Back 'Random' Data

What do you think about using our experience in space to rid humans of ageing? Let us know in the comments below. For more in the world of technology and science, keep reading Indiatimes.com.

References

Hoare, C. (2022, June 2). Space breakthrough may help PREVENT old age by ¡°interfering¡± with ageing process. Express.Co.Uk.