This study is designed to identify novel metabolomic biomarkers in serum and urine to detect and monitor the progression of physiological disturbances due to bed rest and to evaluate the effectiveness…

This federal contract award, with an ID of NNX17AB12G, was granted to the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The $401,869.14 grant is designed to identify novel metabolomic biomarkers in serum and urine that can detect and monitor physiological disturbances due to bed rest, which simulates the effects of microgravity in space. The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of countermeasures such as exercise or exercise with testosterone treatment. The research aligns with NASA's Integrated Research Plan and will focus on areas like altered cardiovascular function, bone loss, and muscle atrophy. This grant does not have a set-aside designation. UCSD, as a major public research university, frequently receives federal contracts and grants to conduct cutting-edge research across disciplines including cognitive science, computer science, neuroscience, and biomedical research.

This study is designed to identify novel metabolomic biomarkers in serum and urine to detect and monitor the progression of physiological disturbances due to bed rest and to evaluate the effectiveness of countermeasures (exercise or exercise with testosterone treatment). Bed rest is a well-accepted model of space flight (simulating microgravity) that allows for the study of a larger number of subjects than is available in space flight, and thus is well-suited for more rapid evaluation of countermeasures and identification of potential biomarkers associated with deconditioning and countermeasure efficacy. Our study will focus on three physiological manifestations that are prevalent in crew members on long duration space flight and are also observed in bed rest studies and are the target of countermeasures: (1) altered cardiovascular function and potential sub-clinical manifestations of cardiovascular disease; (2) bone loss and increased fracture risk; and (3) muscle atrophy and decreased muscle strength. The overall goal of the proposed study is to identify serum and urine biomarkers that can be used to improve risk prediction for physiological manifestations due to bed rest beyond current clinical measures and known predictors. The proposed research will directly address the integrated research plan gaps: M7, M14, SM7.1; OSTEO4, 5, 7; and CV3.