Harmful space radiation could harm astronauts' health on the way to Mars

The exploration of the deep human space is about to become a reality, but we must first overcome several limitations. For starters, there is growing evidence that long-term space travel may be detrimental to the health of astronauts due to the effects of harmful radiation.

A study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences shed new light on the issue. Researchers at Georgetown University discovered that exposure to radiation of the expected type in the interplanetary space could disrupt the functioning of certain cells of the intestine.

The team used mouse models to show that this type of ionizing radiation – which would prevail in the path of Mars – could disrupt a process called "coordinated migration of epithelial cells", essential for human health.

"In the intestine, epithelial cells – a layer of cells that separates ingested contents from the body – are continually replaced every 3 to 5 days, which looks like what we see in the skin," Kamal said. Datta, author of the departmental study. biochemistry and molecular and cellular biology in Georgetown, said Newsweek. "There is a structure in the form of a conical flask called a crypt. The cells divide [grow] in the crypts and move [migrate] on the rise in projections called villi [in the small intestine]and in the surface of the light [in the large intestine, which does not have villi]. "

Explorers of deep space. iStock

The mice were exposed to a low dose of non-lethal radiation similar to that found in space and monitored for one year. The researchers observed that radiation resulted in delayed cell migration, increased tumor formation in the intestines, signs of inflammation and a number of other potentially harmful effects.

"While animal data is difficult to translate for humans, in the absence of human data, it is the best approach we can take to assess the risk of space radiation in a scenario in which vivo during long-duration space travel, "said Datta. "This is the first study of its kind and further studies will be needed to develop countermeasures to reduce risk."