Artificial gravity with centrifugation as a countermeasure against alteration of gait motion properties and neural structure in rat exposed to microgravity environment

• Project/Area Number: 16K01451
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Rehabilitation science/Welfare engineering
• Research Institution: Kyoto University
• Principal Investigator: Tajino Junichi 京都大学, 医学研究科, 研究員 (00755697)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2019-03-31
• Project Status: Completed (Fiscal Year 2018)
• Budget Amount: ¥4,680,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,600,000、Indirect Cost: ¥1,080,000); Fiscal Year 2018: ¥1,430,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,100,000、Indirect Cost: ¥330,000); Fiscal Year 2017: ¥1,560,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,200,000、Indirect Cost: ¥360,000); Fiscal Year 2016: ¥1,690,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,300,000、Indirect Cost: ¥390,000)
• Keywords: 微小重力 / 遠心人工重力 / ラット / 歩行 / 微小重力環境 / 重力生理学 / 学習能力 / 宇宙医学 / 遠心重力 / 神経機構

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The main purpose of this study was to explore countermeasure against non-use environments through application of artificial gravity using centrifugation.

When rats are exposed in (simulated) microgravity environment through unloading their hindlimbs by their tail, their walking motion is altered. Hyper gravity intervention using centrifuge during this period could prevent this motion change. However, it also came out that intervention at too high gravity might spoil this effect, which imply existence of the optimal dose of intervention.

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

不動・不使用の環境が動作にまで影響を与えること、高重力介入によってそれらを抑制できることは、筋萎縮への対応など量的なリハビリテーションだけでなく、動作の質に対するアプローチが必要であることを示唆しています。また、本研究の成果は、リハビリテーション一般だけでなく長期宇宙滞在を視野に入れた宇宙医学にも応用が可能です。

Research Products

• [Int'l Joint Research] Department of Biology/University of Iowa(米国)
• [Journal Article] Three-dimensional motion analysis for comprehensive understanding of gait characteristics after sciatic nerve lesion in rodents (2018)
  • Author(s): Tajino Junichi、Ito Akira、Tanima Momoko、Yamaguchi Shoki、Iijima Hirotaka、Nakahata Akihiro、Kiyan Wataru、Aoyama Tomoki、Kuroki Hiroshi
  • Journal Title: Scientific Reports Volume: 8 Issue: 1 Pages: 1-9
  • DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-31579-z
  • NAID: 120006529728
  • Peer Reviewed / Open Access
• [Journal Article] The efficacy of a scaffold-free Bio 3D conduit developed from human fibroblasts on peripheral nerve regeneration in a rat sciatic nerve model. (2017)
  • Author(s): Yurie H, Ikeguchi R, Aoyama T, Kaizawa Y, Tajino J, Ito A, Ohta S, Oda H, Takeuchi H, Akieda S, Tsuji M, Nakayama K, Matsuda S.
  • Journal Title: PLoS One. Volume: 12 Issue: 2 Pages: 0171448-0171464
  • DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0171448
  • NAID: 120005980856
  • Peer Reviewed / Open Access / Acknowledgement Compliant
• [Presentation] Artificial gravity with centrifuge and optimal dose of the intervention to counteract gait alteration in rats exposed to simulated microgravity (2019)
  • Author(s): Junichi Tajino, Akira Ito, Momoko Tanima, Shoki Yamaguchi, Hirotaka Iijima, Wataru Kiyan, Tomoki Aoyama, Hiroshi Kuroki
  • Organizer: 70th International Astronautical Congress (IAC2019)
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] Utilizing three-dimensional motion analysis and foot print data to investigate walking motion of rats exposed to simulated microgravity (2018)
  • Author(s): Junichi Tajino, Akira Ito, Xiangkai Zhang, Momoko Tanima, Shoki Yamaguchi, Hirotaka Iijima, Wataru Kiyan, Tomoki Aoyama, Hiroshi Kuroki
  • Organizer: 69th International Astronautical Congress (IAC2018)
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] Disturbance in Rats' Spatial Learning Ability Induced by Simulated Microgravity and Efficacy of Intermittent Artificial Gravity as a Countermeasure using Centrifugation (2017)
  • Author(s): Junichi Tajino
  • Organizer: 38th Annual International Gravitational Physiology Meeting
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] Intermittent application of artificial gravity during simulated microgravity in rats (2017)
  • Author(s): Junichi Tajino
  • Organizer: 38th Annual International Gravitational Physiology Meeting
  • Int'l Joint Research / Invited
• [Presentation] 微小重力環境によるラットの行動・動作の変化を遠心重力を用いて抑制する (2017)
  • Author(s): 太治野 純一
  • Organizer: 第63回日本宇宙航空環境医学会大会
  • Int'l Joint Research / Invited
• [Presentation] Disruptive Effect of Simulated Microgravity on Circadian Activity Rhythm of Rats and Intensity-Dependent Preventive Effect of Intermittent Centrifugation (2016)
  • Author(s): Junichi Tajino
  • Organizer: 36th Annual International Gravitational Physiology Meeting
  • Place of Presentation: Toulouse, France
  • Year and Date: 2016-06-05
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] 後肢免荷に対する高重力介入がラットの歩容変化に与える影響 (2016)
  • Author(s): 太治野 純一
  • Organizer: 第51回日本理学療法学術大会
  • Place of Presentation: 札幌コンベンションセンター
  • Year and Date: 2016-05-27