PATHOGENETIC MECHANISMS OF ASTRONAUTS ANE MIA

The authors analyze the literature data published in the last 20 years on clinical, laboratory, physiological, hematological and biochemical evidence obtained at preflight and postflight examinations of astrona uts and experimental animals who spent 5-12 months in space. After spa ce flights the astronauts exhibited a noticeable decrease in red cell mass, in reticulocyte count, hemoglobin and erythropoietin levels (ass ociated with hypochromia and hyposideremia). This condition of erythro n in microgravity is termed astronauts' anemia. The authors consider s uch anemia as an adaptive erythrocytopenic microgravity syndrome with complicated pathogenesis and suggest its model in the form of acquired transitory thalassemia.