Page 13 - Christiana Care Focus January 2018

EVENTS
Tara Melaine Ruttley, associate program scientist for the
In this Q&A, Dr. Ruttley and Dr. Galinat share their expertise and some of what they learned from each other during the visit.
Dr. Ruttley, what is your message to Delaware Orthopaedics Symposium attendees?
TR: I want to inspire them to consider using the
space station as a platform for their research and
to share some of our significant findings. As a U.S. National Laboratory, the space station is open to other government agencies, universities, private institutes, commercial entities and individual researchers with good ideas. Perhaps if symposium attendees don’t use the space station laboratory, they can use what we have learned and apply it here in Delaware.
What makes the environment of space valuable for research?
TR: What’s unique about using the space environment is microgravity. In an earth laboratory there are lots
of variables you can control, such as temperature, pressure and lighting. But you can’t control the major force of gravity, and that will factor into all physical behavior. I tell researchers that if there is an area where you are stuck in your research, you may want to consider the microgravity of space.
What has NASA learned about bone loss among astronauts in space?
TR: It’s similar to what you hear in osteopenia consulta- tions on earth. We know our astronauts are accelerated models of aging. We are designed with our bones and muscles because of gravity. When you take the gravity away, you start to see atrophy in the muscles. In space, astronauts tend to lose bone in the weight-bearing ar- eas at the rate of 2 percent a month, a rate equivalent to the bone loss of a post-menopausal woman.
How does NASA approach the potential for bone loss during extended space exploration?
TR: We designed a machine called the Advanced Resis- tive Exercise Device that provides astronauts the oppor- tunity to do weight-bearing exercise. We also research pharmaceuticals and study the body’s natural systems, along with many aspects of nutrition. Overall, we’ve seen we can maintain bone health in space with the
International Space Station, and Brian J. Galinat, M.D., MBA, visit with nuclear medicine physician Hung Dam, M.D., on a tour of Christiana Hospital.
right resistive exercise, with astronauts eating all their calories, and by them consuming an increased dose of Vitamin D. That is a wonderful breakthrough, because we want healthy bones when astronauts travel to Mars.
What are the implications for people here on Earth?
TR: Osteoporosis in the elderly is similar to what’s observed in astronauts when nothing is done to compensate for the space environment. We also see changes in T-cell health and the immune system. Elements such as balance and walking are affected as well. This is because in space there is no up or down. The visual component of reference is taken away. In my research, we’ve seen that microgravity changes gait patterns and can lead to an increased risk of falling and bone fracture back on earth.
Because of space research, there have been advances in telemedicine, disease models, psychological
stress response systems, nutrition, cell behavior and environmental health.
What’s been rewarding for you personally in your role as a research scientist?
TR: It’s the relationships I form. I am a program
scientist, and I get to meet all the potential researchers.
It is exciting to meet people who prior to meeting with us had never thought space was accessible for research, and watch them begin to sketch out new ideas. We are living in the golden age for this type of research. | CONTINUED
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