Experimental Studies On Plasticity Of Structure And Innervation Of Arterial Vasculature During Simulated Weightlessness

Even after several decades of extensive research, the basic mechanism of orthostatic intolerance mduced by real/simulated microgravity has not yet been fully elucidated. Since 1960s scientists have always focused on the studies concerning hypovolemia, changes in leg venous compliance, altered responsiveness of baroreflex and the functional status of heart,during which time many improvement have been received. But a very important question, whether arterial vasculature would undergo 'deconditioning' during real/simulated micro-G, has long been overlooked. In fact, there are studies recently reporting results consistent with the notion that the systemic vasoconstrictor response might be one of the major factors responsible for the change in orthostatic tolerance. So, in the present study, by using morphological methods the plasticity changes of the cardiovascular system during simulated weightlessness was investigated on the following respects: 1) the morphological changes of the...