ESA VIVALDI (1 & 2) campaigns: sex-specific bone responses to dry immersion-induced unloading

Journal of Applied Physiology 2026

View at publisher
Authors: Peter Fernández, Marie‐Thérèse Linossier, Marie Pierre Bareille, Rebecca Billette de Villemeur, Ines Antunes, Angelique Van Ombergen, Nastassia Navasiolava, Marc-Antoine Custaud, Maura Strigini, Laurence Vico
DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.01194.2025
Cited by: 1
References: 49

Abstract

Dry immersion induces rapid bone deconditioning in both sexes, but females show greater skeletal sensitivity to unloading, with stronger resorptive increases [tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase isoform 5b (TRAP5b), crosslinked C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX)] and a more pronounced periosteal decline (periostin) that does not recover after immersion. Concurrent rises in IGF-1 and visfatin are suggestive of coordinated metabolic-skeletal responses. These sex-specific biomarker patterns highlight early physiological differences and may help guide the development of targeted countermeasures for spaceflight and immobilization.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Spaceflight effects on biology Bone health and osteoporosis research Muscle Physiology and Disorders

Publication details

Journal / source
Journal of Applied Physiology
Publisher
American Physiological Society
Volume
140
Issue
6
Pages
1560–1576
Publication date
7 May 2026
Language
EN