Lower body negative pressure: the second manned Skylab mission.

Results of orthostatic evaluations of the crew of Skylab 3 with lower body negative pressure (LNBP) stress tests during their 59-d mission are reported. The test protocol was identical to that used in the first manned Skylab mission and the latter Apollo flights. Except for an inflight increase (rather than a decrease) in resting heart rates, results were essentially parallel to those observed in crewmen of the shorter Skylab 2 mission. Exaggerated elevations in heart rate and decreases in pulse pressure during LBNP stress inflight and immediately postflight corresponded to lowered orthostatic tolerance. Large decrements in resting calf size inflight and in total leg volume postflight indicated significant headward fluid shifts as had already been seen in the Skylab 2 crewmen. In addition, decreases in calf circumference gave no certain indication of a plateau over the 59 d inflight. On the other hand, percentage volume increase in calf size during LBNP stress inflight was greater than those in either preflight or postflight tests. Hypotheses elaborated after the Skylab 2 mission seem to have been substantiated, but several enigmas await data from the last and longer mission for clarification.     

Sodium intake does not influence bioimpedance-derived extracellular volume loss in head-down rest

INTRODUCTION: There is disagreement regarding the impact of dietary sodium on alterations in extracellular volume during head-down bed rest (HDBR). The primary purpose of this study was to assess the effects of salt intake on extracellular volume (ECV) during HDBR. METHODS: We performed whole-body bioimpedance spectroscopy with controlled sodium intake during 4 d of ambulation and 8 d of -6 degrees HDBR in 10 normotensive men. Each subject performed an initial 12-d familiarization run with moderate sodium (246 +/- 12 mmol x L(-1) x d(-1) excreted) during which no measurements were made. They then participated in treatment runs involving low sodium (LS: 143 +/- 10 mmol x L(-1) x d(-1) Na+ excreted) and high sodium (HS: 434 +/- 17 mmol x L(-1) x d(-1) Na+ excreted). The different treatments were separated by > or =1 mo and the order of LS and HS was balanced among the subjects. These treatments were based on controlled food and drink supplies as prepared by a dietitian. We monitored sodium output and measured aldosterone, plasma renin activity (PRA), and vasopressin. Bioimpedance was measured every second day in supine position using tetrapolar electrodes. RESULTS: Based on exponential data fitting, we calculated an ECV decrease of 0.79 +/- 0.32 L (-5.8%; p = 0.018) in LS, and 1.21 +/- 0.31 L (-4.0%; p = 0.002) in HS during HDBR. LS and HS were not different (p > 0.1); 4 d pre-HDBR sodium adjustment produced a fall in ECV in the LS group only (-3.7%, p = 0.023). Hormone levels were not changed by HDBR. Plasma aldosterone was lower in HS (69 +/- 7 pg x ml(-1)) than in LS (180 +/- 24 pg x ml(-1)). DISCUSSION: Our bioimpedance data confirm that low sodium intake decreases ECV in ambulatory conditions and indicate that 8 d of HDBR produce a loss of ECV of about 5% (p < 0.05). The loss did not seem to be influenced by sodium intake between approximately 3 and approximately 10 g x d(-1).     

Effect of lower body negative pressure against orthostatic intolerance induced by 21 days head-down tilt bed rest

BACKGROUND: Exposure to actual or simulated weightlessness is known to induce orthostatic intolerance in humans. Many different methods have been suggested to counteract orthostatic hypotension. The repetitive or prolonged application of lower body negative pressure (LBNP) has shown beneficial effects to counter orthostatic intolerance, but devoting so much time to countermeasures is not compatible with space mission objectives or costs. The purpose of the present study was to assess the effects of brief LBNP sessions against orthostatic intolerance during a 21-d head-down tilt (HDT) bed rest. METHODS: There were 12 healthy male volunteers who were exposed to -6 degrees HDT bed rest for 21 d. Six subjects received -30 mm Hg LBNP sessions for 1 h x d(-1) from day 15 to day 21 of the HDT, and six others served as control. Orthostatic tolerance was assessed by means of standard tilt test. RESULTS: Before HDT, all the subjects in the two groups completed the tilt tests. After 21 d of HDT, five subjects of the control group and one subject of the LBNP group could not complete the tilt test due to presyncopal or syncopal symptoms. The mean upright time in the control group 13.0 +/- 4.0 min) was significantly shorter (p < 0.05) than that in the LBNP group (19.0 +/- 2.2 min). Body weight decreased significantly in the control group during HDT, while increasing significantly on day 21 of HDT in the LBNP group. Urine volume increased on days 15-21 of HDT in the control group, but remained unchanged throughout HDT in the LBNP group. A significant decrease in cardiac output and cardiac index, and a significant increase in total peripheral resistance, pre-ejection period, plasma renin activity, aldosterone, and prostaglandin 12 were observed during HDT in both groups. There were no significant differences in these parameters between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Brief daily LBNP sessions were effective in preventing orthostatic intolerance induced by 21 d HDT bed rest. However, it did not improve cardiac pump and systolic functions and did not preserve volume regulating hormones.     

The red blood system in men during long-term head-down bed rest]

Red blood was analyzed in six 25 to 40 yr. old male volunteers in a 120-d head-down bedrest (HDBR) study. The hematological investigation included morphological analyses (erythrocyte count and hemoglobin), and determination of iron turnover, erythrocyte IgA, IgG and IgM, metabolism, lipids and phospholipids, and lipid peroxidation rate (LPO). At the beginning of HDBR (day 7), the erythrocyte count and hemoglobin content were found increased w/o any visible changes in the other parameters. Further exposure to HDBR (days 50-100) resulted in modification of intracellular metabolism in erythrocytes, increases in serum iron, and serum and erythrocyte ferritin. On HDBR days 50 and 100, and post-HDBR day 9, cholesterol was increased, LPO intensified and antioxidant activities inhibited, which suggested destabilization of the cell membrane. Hematological shifts in the bedrested volunteers were of the type and pattern similar to those in cosmonauts who fulfilled extended space missions.     

Results of a 4-week head-down tilt with and without LBNP countermeasure: II. Cardiac and peripheral hemodynamics--comparison with a 25-day spaceflight.

Cardiovascular hemodynamics were assessed by ultrasound echography and Doppler during a 28-d head-down tilt "CNES HDT: 87-88," and during the 25-d French-Soviet spaceflight "Aragatz 88." For both studies we used the same ultrasound methodology. The main hemodynamic parameters of the left heart function and of the peripheral arterial system (cerebral, renal, femoral arteries) were measured four times during the HDT (day 7, 14, 21, 28) and twice post-HDT. The same measurements were performed six times during the flight (day 4, 5, 15, 18, 20, 24) and five times postflight. During the HDT, two groups were studied: six subjects no countermeasures and six subjects with repeated lower body negative pressure (LBNP). In the first group the cardiac volumes and the cardiac output were significantly decreased, whereas in the group with LBNP these parameters were superior to the basal value. In the group without LBNP the cerebral flow was maintained because of a decrease of the brain vascular resistance. In this group the renal vascular resistance was decreased as inflight. In the lower limbs we observed a loss of the vasomotor control. The vascular resistance was decreased after the end of the HDT and the subjects suffered orthostatic intolerance. In the population with LBNP, we did not observe the same decrease of vascular resistance during the HDT, and after the HDT no sign of orthostatic intolerance was observed. During the flight, the left ventricular volume was significantly decreased. The carotid flow was maintained owing to a decrease of the cerebral vascular resistance.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Adaptations to a 7-day head-down bed rest with thigh cuffs

PURPOSE: Thigh cuffs were two elastic strips fixed at the upper part of each thigh, which limits the shift of fluid from the legs into the cardio-thoracic region. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of thigh cuffs on hormonal and plasma volume responses and orthostatic tolerance during a 7-day head-down bed rest (HDBR). METHODS: Orthostatic tolerance, plasma volume, total body water, blood volume-regulating hormones, and hydro-electrolyte responses were measured in eight healthy men (age range, 25-40 yr), using thigh cuffs 10 h daily during 7 d of -6 degrees HDBR. RESULTS: Thigh cuffs worn during HDBR attenuated the decrease in plasma volume observed after HDBR (thigh cuffs: -5.85 +/- 0.95% vs control: -9.09 +/- 0.82%, P < or = 0.05). During this experiment, there was no significant change in total body water. Thus, the hypovolemia did not result from a loss of water but from a fluid shift from the blood compartment into the interstitial and/or intracellular compartment. Hormonal responses during HDBR and stand test were not modified by the thigh cuffs. Thigh cuffs had no significant effect on the clinical symptoms of orthostatic intolerance after HDBR. CONCLUSIONS: Thigh cuffs worn during HDBR blunted the decrease in plasma volume but did not reduce orthostatic intolerance; thus, they are not a completely effective countermeasure. Furthermore, hypovolemia seems to be necessary but not sufficient to induce orthostatic intolerance after HDBR.     

Gender differences in tolerance to lower body negative pressure

BACKGROUND: Previous studies suggest that women have lower tolerance than men do to lower body negative pressure (LBNP). The mechanism(s) responsible has not been determined. HYPOTHESES: Women would be less tolerant to presyncopal LBNP than men as determined by several indices of LBNP tolerance. Additionally, men and women, regardless of LBNP tolerance, would have similar cardiovascular responses to LBNP as presyncope was reached. METHODS: The subjects were 18 men and 18 women (average age 25) of similar fitness levels who volunteered for the study. A step-wise LBNP protocol to presyncope was employed. HR, stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (Q), BP, and systemic vascular resistance (SVR) were measured before and throughout the LBNP stress. Data from women were compared with those from all men, and to men with similar and higher LBNP tolerance. RESULTS: Women had significantly less LBNP tolerance than men regardless of index used: 30% less by duration of LBNP, 21% less by maximal LBNP tolerated, 44% less by a cumulative stress index, and 27% less by a linear tolerance index. Cardiovascular responses to LBNP were similar for women and men as presyncope was approached, whether the men were low-tolerant (LT) or high-tolerant (HT). In the 2 min pre-presyncope, HR increased by 80 +/- 6% in women, 72 +/- 7% in LT men and 96 +/- 14% in HT men; Q decreased by 47 +/- 3% in women, 52 +/- 6% in LT men and 55 +/- 2% in HT men. Similar comparisons occurred for the decline in BP and the rise in SVR. CONCLUSION: Women have lower LBNP tolerance than do men, although there is considerable gender overlap in tolerances. The cardiovascular response to LBNP is similar regardless of gender or tolerance level as presyncope is approached. Understanding the gender differences in LBNP tolerance may lie in determining how the LBNP stress is translated into a "trigger" for cardiovascular decompensation.     

Lower-body negative-pressure exercise and bed-rest-mediated orthostatic intolerance

PURPOSE: Supine, moderate exercise is ineffective in maintaining orthostatic tolerance after bed rest (BR). Our purpose was to test the hypothesis that adding an orthostatic stress during exercise would maintain orthostatic function after BR. METHODS: Seven healthy men completed duplicate 15-d 6 degrees head-down tilt BR using a crossover design. During one BR, subjects did not exercise (CON). During another BR, subjects exercised for 40 min.d(-1) on a supine treadmill against 50-60 mm Hg LBNP (EX). Exercise training consisted of an interval exercise protocol of 2- to 3-min intervals alternating between 41 and 65% (.)VO(2max). Before and after BR, an LBNP tolerance test was performed in which the LBNP chamber was decompressed in 10-mm Hg stages every 3 min until presyncope. RESULTS: LBNP tolerance, as assessed by the cumulative stress index (CSI) decreased after BR in both the CON (830 +/- 144, pre-BR vs 524 +/- 56 mm Hg.min, post-BR) and the EX (949 +/- 118 pre-BR vs 560 +/- 44 mm Hg.min, post-BR) conditions. However, subtolerance (0 to -50 mm Hg LBNP) heart rates were lower and systolic blood pressures were better maintained after BR in the EX condition compared with CON. CONCLUSION: Moderate exercise performed against LBNP simulating an upright 1-g environment failed to protect orthostatic tolerance after 15 d of BR.     

Vasomotor sympathetic nerve activity in men during bed rest and on orthostasis after bed rest

BACKGROUND: Alterations in autonomic function are commonly seen during and after spaceflight, and its ground-based analog, 6 degrees head-down bed rest (HDBR). They may include peripheral vascular regulation, but vasomotor sympathetic efferent nerve discharges to peripheral vasculatures have not been examined. The aim of our study was to examine changes in vasomotor sympathetic nerve activity during HDBR and under orthostasis after HDBR. METHODS: We performed 6 d of HDBR on six male subjects, and measured muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) together with plasma norepinephrine concentrations in the supine position before HDBR and in 6 degrees head-down position on the sixth day (HDBR6) of HDBR. We also measured MSNA in head-up tilt (HUT) test before and after HDBR. RESULTS: On HDBR6, MSNA burst rate was the same (17+/-4 bursts x min(-1)) as that in supine position before HDBR (15+/-2 bursts min(-1)), but plasma norepinephrine concentrations were decreased to 1.14+/-0.10 pmol x ml(-1) compared with the supine value before HDBR (1.56+/-0.20 pmol x ml(-1), p<0.05). After HDBR, supine MSNA burst rate significantly increased by 58% to 24+/-4 bursts x min(-1). MSNA increment in response to HUT was similar between before (34+/-3 bursts min(-1) x sin HUT(-1)) and after (40+/-6 bursts x min(-1) x sin HUT(-1)) HDBR. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that: a) the relationship between MSNA and plasma norepinephrine concentrations was altered on the sixth day during HDBR; b) the vasomotor sympathetic nerve activity was enhanced after HDBR; and c) the augmentation of vasomotor sympathetic outflow to muscles under orthostasis was preserved after HDBR.     

21d头低位卧床中几种体液调节激素的变化

目的观察卧床模拟失重所致血浆肾素活性（ＰＲＡ）、醛固酮（Ａｌｄ）及前列腺素（ＰＧＩ２）的变化和ＬＢＮＰ对抗措施对上述激素的影响。方法１２名健康男性志愿者进行了２１ｄＨＤＴ－６°卧床实验。被试者年龄２３．７±５．０岁,随机等分为对照组（ＣＯＮ）和下体负压（ＬＢＮＰ）组。ＬＢＮＰ组在卧床最后一周进行下体负压锻炼（－３０ｍｍＨｇ,１ｈ／ｄ）。卧床前、卧床第２、４、１１天及卧床结束日清晨分别抽取肘静脉血。结果与卧床前相比,Ａｌｄ在第２天显著下降（ＣＯＮ－３０％,Ｐ＜０．０５;ＬＢＮＰ－３８％,Ｐ＜０．０１）,在第１１天显著上升（ＣＯＮ＋３０％,Ｐ＜０．０５;ＬＢＮＰ＋４８％,Ｐ＜０．０１）。ＰＲＡ在第４天达到峰值（Ｐ＜０．０５）,第２２天回落到低于对照水平。ＰＧＩ２在ＨＤＴ过程中均高于对照水平。对照组在第２２天增加＋２６０％（Ｐ＜０．０１）,ＬＢＮＰ组在第１１天,第２２天分别升高１４９％,１０２％（Ｐ＜０．０５）。采用ＬＢＮＰ对抗措施后,ＰＲＡ,Ａｌｄ在两组间无明显差别,ＰＧＩ２在ＬＢＮＰ组未进一步升高。结论２１ｄ头低位卧床导致ＰＲＡ、Ａｌｄ的一过性升高及ＰＧＩ２持续性升高。     

21 d-6°头低位卧床期间运动训练对动态姿态平衡的影响

目的探讨21 d-6°头低位卧床和卧床运动训练对动态姿态平衡和控制功能的影响. 方法 10名健康男性青年被试者分为卧床对照组和卧床训练组,每组5人,卧床期间训练组每天进行2次、每次30 min逐级增加负荷的头低位功率自行车训练;分别于卧床前和卧床后21 d进行了动态姿态平衡和双膝等速肌力的测试. 结果与卧床前相比,对照组动态本体感觉得分和运动控制适应能力明显降低,双膝相对峰力矩明显降低,同时伴有腘绳肌与股四头肌峰力矩屈/伸比值的明显增加;训练组动态本体感觉得分和运动控制适应能力明显高于对照组,而腘绳肌与股四头肌峰力矩屈/伸比值无明显改变. 结论 21 d-6°头低位卧床运动训练能够明显改善卧床后动态姿态平衡及其动态运动适应功能.     

低氧、气功对抗模拟失重后立位中心脏节律变化的观察

目的探讨新的对抗失重措施。方法１５名、年龄１９～２２岁的健康男性青年为被试者。头低位－６°卧床（－６°ＨＤＢＲ）模拟失重,持续２１ｄ。实验分对照组（单纯卧床）、低氧组（卧床＋低氧）和气功组（卧床＋气功）。低氧组卧床期间每人每天吸两次低氧,每次２０ｍｉｎ。气功组卧床中每天练功三次,每次４５ｍｉｎ。三组卧床前、后进行２０ｍｉｎ＋７５°的立位实验。结果三组被试者在卧床前立位中的心电图未发生明显变化,心律正常。卧床２１ｄ后立位实验中对照组２人出现房性和窦性心律紊乱;气功组２人出现结性心律紊乱。低氧组所有人均未发生心律紊乱。结论低氧对抗卧床后立位耐立降低效果较好。     

低氧,气功对抗卧床模拟失重和卧床后立位耐力的观察

为研究低氧、气功对抗卧床模拟失重的效果，１５名１９－２２岁的健康男性青年。分为三组：对照组，低氧组，气功组。结果表明：卧床期间，被试乾的生理功能都有不同程度的降低。气功组的小腿周径的减小，体重、脉压、日均心输出量和基础每搏量的降低均显著小于对照组（Ｐ〈０．０５）。低氧组的小腿周径和基础每搏量的降低经对照组显著减少（Ｐ〈０．０５），体重、脉压和日均心输出量的降低均小于对照组，但无显著性（Ｐ〉０．０５     

Using daily 30-min phase advances to achieve a 6-hour advance: circadian rhythm, sleep, and alertness

INTRODUCTION: A ground-based study was undertaken to determine whether circadian and sleep dysfunction could be avoided by "trickling in" a 6-h phase advance in sleep/wake schedule by 12 consecutive 30-min phase advances as per NASA's Appendix K. METHODS: We simulated a 16-d (384 h) mission for each of 10 subjects. Temporal cues and light levels approximated those experienced in space. All sleep periods were exactly 8 h. Before the study, for 14 d, subjects were required to live on a schedule with a 23:00 bedtime and 07:00 wake time. Laboratory sessions then started with a 4-d baseline segment on that schedule. The fourth night and the day following it were then taken as baseline. Repeated 30-min phase advances in bedtime were then required on each of the next 12 successive nights, resulting in an eventual movement of bedtimes to a 6-h phase-advanced position (bedtime: 17:00, wake time: 01:00). Polysomnographic sleep, circadian rhythms in urinary free cortisol, urinary volume (every void), and core body temperature (once per minute), and ratings of performance, mood, and alertness (five per day) were measured. RESULTS: While circadian dysfunction was largely avoided by trickling in the phase shift, there remained slight differences in phase between the endogenous circadian pacemaker and the imposed routine which disrupted sleep and daytime alertness. CONCLUSION: Though statistically significant, the disruption was less than we observed from repeated 2-h phase delays reported in a 2004 ASEM paper. Evidence would thus seem to favor repeated 30-min phase advances over repeated 2-h phase delays.     

下体负压对抗21d头低位卧床后立位耐力不良的研究

目的观察ＬＢＮＰ对２１ｄＨＤＴ－６°卧床模拟失重所致立位耐力不良的对抗效果。方法１２名健康男性青年志愿者,进行２１ｄＨＤＴ－６°卧床实验。随机分为对照组和下体负压组,每组６人。与对照组不同,下体负压组在最后一周,每天进行１ｈ、－４．０ｋＰａ的下体负压锻炼。结果卧床前,１２名受试者顺利通过７５°、２０ｍｉｎ立位耐力检查。卧床第１０ｄ立位耐力检查时,对照组有５人、ＬＢＮＰ组有４人出现晕厥前或晕厥症状,两组平均耐受时间均低于卧床前（Ｐ＜０．０５）;第２１ｄ时,对照组有５人未通过,平均耐受时间较卧床前显著降低（Ｐ＜０．０５）;而ＬＢＮＰ组有１人未通过,平均耐受时间显著高于对照组（Ｐ＜０．０５）。结论２１ｄ头低位卧床后立位耐力显著降低。下体负压能够有效对抗头低位卧床导致的立位耐力降低。     

立位-下体负压时心血管指标的变化

目的了解立位 -下体负压 (HUT +LBNP)期间心血管系统的变化 ,确定心律变异和脉图两种方法在评价心血管调节功能中的作用。方法观察 1 6名被试者在 75°头高位倾斜加 - 4kPa下体负压 2 0min期间血压、脉图、心律变异和脑血氧饱和度的变化。结果 ( 1 )HUT +LBNP可引起被试者出现明显的心率、血压、规 -化低频峰功率 (LFn)、LFn/HFn增加 ,脑血氧饱和度、心电T波和规 -化高频峰功率(HFn)下降 ;( 2 )晕厥前出现明显的血压、心率和脑血氧饱和度下降 ;( 3)低耐力组在HUT +LBNP初期的心率明显高于高耐力组 ;( 4 )HUT +LBNP时脉搏波波形发生很大变化 ,无法进行分析。结论HUT +LBNP是一种负荷量较高的立位耐力检查方法 ,可充分暴露被检者在立位中的心血管调节功能 ;脉图检测方法不能作为评价被试者HUT +LBNP耐力的方法。     

7d-6°卧床对心电向量图的影响

目的探讨短期 - 6°头低位卧床模拟失重对人心电向量图 (vectorcardiogram ,VCG)的影响。 方法 8名健康男性志愿者 ,年龄 1 9～ 2 1岁 ,进行了 7d - 6°头低位卧床 (HDBR)试验。HDBR前、HDBR第 1、3和 7天时进行了 4次心电向量图检查。结果在卧床期间 ,横面QRS环呈逆钟向偏转 ;右侧面QRS环呈顺钟向偏转 (P <0 .0 5或P <0 .0 1 )。横面和右侧面QRS T夹角在卧床过程中显著增加 (P <0 .0 5或P<0 .0 1 )。其余指标变化不显著。结论 7d头低位卧床可使心电向量参数发生变化 ,这些变化与心房、心室的容积变化在时程上一致 ,而且这些参数的改变都在正常值范围内。它与心室病理性肥厚、心肌缺血时心电向量图各参数的变化显然不同。     

Posture analysis on young women before and after 60 days of -6 degrees head down bed rest (Wise 2005)

Twenty-four women divided into three groups: control, exercise and nutrition, have been involved in a -6 degrees head down bed rest (HDBR) experiment for 60 days. The objective was to analyse the effects of microgravity on balance function regulation. Group comparisons assessed the efficiency of countermeasures (specific exercises and in particular diet) on the deleterious effects of simulated microgravity. Measurements of orthostatic and dynamic balance were taken 9 and 2 days prior to the experiment, on the first day of getting up, the following day and 4 and 10 days after, under two visual conditions: eyes open and eyes closed. The results confirmed that, as in any other test performed with ordinary subjects, the postural balance performances are better with eyes open than with eyes closed. The static and dynamic postural performances were impaired on the first day of recovery (R0) following HDBR. This impairment lasted up to 4 days after getting up and, afterwards the volunteers recovered their initial performances. The exercise group recovered static postural performances more quickly than the other groups whereas there were no differences in the recovery of the dynamic balance performances.     

Results of a 4-week head-down tilt with and without LBNP countermeasure: I. Volume regulating hormones.

The volume regulating hormones were studied during a 4-week head-down tilt (CNES HDT) in five subjects with and without (controls) lower body negative pressure (LBNP). LBNP was applied 3 times a day for 3 weeks, 4 times a day for 4 d, and 6 times a day for 3 d the last week. In both groups we observed a significant decrease in body weight (3% in controls, 0.8% in LBNP), a significant increase in plasma renin activity and aldosterone (with an amplification of their rhythms), and a significant decrease in norepinephrine with no difference between the two groups. The only major hormonal difference was observed for atrial natriuretic factor (ANF), which decreased significantly in the control group and increased in the LBNP group. These results are compared with the improvement in orthostatic tolerance (OT) after HDT in the LBNP group in the same protocol (17). We conclude that many factors could be involved in the improvement of OT. The results suggest that better conservation of plasma volume in the LBNP group might have prevented a decrease in ANF. Whether ANF plays a role in the regulation of baroreceptor reflex with an improvement in OT is currently unknown.     

Head down tilt at -6 degrees to -24 degrees can neutralize the cardiovascular effects of LBNP at -15 or -35 mmHg

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to identify the combinations of head down tilt (HDT) and lower body negative pressure (LBNP) that would counterbalance each other's effects on cardiovascular and endocrine variables to produce a "neutral point" (NP). METHODS: We conducted 8 30-min experiments in 14 normotensive subjects (2 male, 12 female). Conditions included four levels of HDT (-6 degrees to -24 degrees) and two of LBNP (-15 and -35 mmHg). We determined blood plasma mass density, hematocrit, plasma aldosterone concentration, and plasma renin activity (PRA) before and at the end of stimulation. The effect of stimulus duration was tested using continuous measurements of heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), and thoracic electrical impedance (Z0). RESULTS: NPs were found for all variables except BP, which remained unchanged. NPs were similar for all variables. The 15 mmHg LBNP was compensated by 20 degrees HDT and 35 mmHg LBNP by 27.5 degrees HDT. Longer stimulus duration required increasing HDT angles to balance HR at 35 mmHg LBNP but had no influence on Z0 NP. DISCUSSION: Antiorthostatic positioning can compensate cardiovascular effects of LBNP in a similar fashion for all variables that are significantly influenced by LBNP and body angle, commensurate with stimulus magnitude. Arterial BP remained stable with stimulation and seems to be the primarily defended variable. Why stimulus duration seems to influence the NP for HR remains to be elucidated.