CHANGES IN THE SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS-SYSTEM INDUCED BY 42 DAYS OF HEAD-DOWN BED REST

Changes in autonomic nervous system activity could be linked to the or thostatic intolerance (OI) that individuals suffer after a spaceflight or head-down bed rest (HDBR). We examined this possibility by assessi ng the sympathetic nervous system activity during 42 days of HDBR in s even healthy men. Heart rate variability was studied with the use of p ower spectral analysis, which provided indicators of the sympathetic ( SNSi) and parasympathetic (PNSi) nervous system influences on the hear t. Urinary catecholamines and the spontaneous baroreflex sensitivity w ere measured. Urinary catecholamines decreased by 21.3%, showing a dec rease in SNSi. Heart rate variability was greatly reduced during 42 da ys of HDBR with a drop in PNSi but with no significant changes in SNSi . The baroreflex sensitivity was greatly reduced (30.7%) on day 42 of HDBR. These results suggest a dissociation between the catecholamine r esponse and the SNSi of the heart rate. This dissociation could be the consequence of an increase in beta-adrenergic receptor density and/or activity induced by a decrease in catecholamines during HDBR. The sub jects who suffered from OI also had a greater sympathetic response and much lower baroreflex sensitivity when supine than those who finished the stand test. However, the mean response of all subjects indicated that the sympathetic activity (catecholamine excretion) was probably s lightly inhibited during HDBR and could contribute to OI.