Task Progress:
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Seventy-four past, present, and future International Space Station (ISS) crewmembers were recruited to provide blood samples for biochemical, enzymatic, and limited genotype/polymorphism analyses. Genomic DNA prepared from peripheral leukocytes was analyzed for the existence of 5 single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the one-carbon metabolism pathway: 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) 677C->T, MTHFR 1298A->T, serine hydroxymethyltransferase 1 (SHMT1) 1420C->T, cystathionine ß-synthase (CBS) 844ins68, and 5-methyltetrahydrofolate homocysteine methyltransferase reductase (MTRR) 66A->G. Data from vision and related eye exams was obtained, and we sought to relate those findings to the data from our study.
Study has been completed, results published – E-published in August 2015; expected final publication January 2016.
These findings document a genetic predisposition for some astronauts to develop VIIP (Vision Impairment and Intracranial Pressure) issues during flight. We have proposed a series of follow-on experiments to clarify and extend these findings. The implications of this research for one of NASA’s highest priority crew health risks are significant, along with the implications for a better understanding of the role of one-carbon metabolism in the health of the general population.
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Abstracts for Journals and Proceedings
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Smith SM, Gregory JF, Zeisel SH, Ueland P, Gibson CR, Mader T, Kinchen JM, Ploutz-Snyder R, Zwart SR. "Vision issues and space flight: evaluation of one-carbon metabolism polymorphisms." Experimental Biology 2015, Boston, MA, March 28-April 1, 2015. FASEB Journal. 2015 Apr;29(1 Suppl):134.1 See also http://www.fasebj.org/content/29/1_Supplement.toc for searching. , Apr-2015
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Articles in Peer-reviewed Journals
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Zwart SR, Gregory JF, Zeisel SH, Gibson CR, Mader TH, Kinchen J, Ueland P, Ploutz-Snyder R, Heer M, Smith SM. "Genotype, B-vitamin status and androgens affect spaceflight-induced ophthalmic changes." FASEB J. 2016 Jan;30(1):141-8. Epub 2015 Aug 27. http://dx.doi.org/10.1096/fj.15-278457 ; PubMed PMID: 26316272; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4684521 , Jan-2016
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Books/Book Chapters
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Zwart SR, Gibson CR, Smith SM. "Space Flight Ophthalmic Changes, Diet, and Vitamin Metabolism." in "Handbook of Nutrition, Diet, and the Eye." Ed. V.R. Preedy. Waltham, MA : Academic Press, 2014. p. 393-399. ISBN: 978-0-12-401717-7. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-401717-7.00040-X , Apr-2014
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Journal/Magazine covers
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Zwart SR, Gregory JF, Zeisel SH, Gibson CR, Mader TH, Kinchen J, Ueland P, Ploutz-Snyder R, Heer M, Smith SM. "Cover to be in published issue in January 2016 for 'Genotype, B-vitamin status and androgens affect spaceflight-induced ophthalmic changes.' " FASEB J. 2015 Aug 27. [Epub ahead of print] http://dx.doi.org/10.1096/fj.15-278457 ; PubMed PMID: 26316272; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4684521 , Jan-2016
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NASA Technical Documents
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Smith SM, Zwart SR, Heer MA. "Human Adaptation to Spaceflight: The Role of Nutrition (NP-2014-10-018-JSC)." Houston, TX: National Aeronautics and Space Administration Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, 2014. (NP-2014-10-018-JSC) (ISBN 978-0-16-092629-7). Available through open access at: http://www.nasa.gov/hhp/education and http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/human-adaptation-to-spaceflight-the-role-of-nutrition.pdf ; accessed 10/02/15. , Nov-2014
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NASA Technical Documents
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Smith SM, Zwart SR, Douglas GL, Heer M. "Human adaptation to spaceflight: The role of food and nutrition. Second edition." Houston, TX: NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, 2021. 255 p. NP-2021-03-003-JSC. https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/human_adaptation_2021_final.pdf , Apr-2021
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