Commentary: Immune System Dysregulation During Spaceflight: Potential Countermeasures for Deep Space Exploration Missions

Poor Understanding of Radiation Profiles in Deep Space Causes Inaccurate Findings and Misleading Conclusions

“…Radioadaptation increases the body’s resistance to higher doses of radiation after a pre-exposure to a lower dose. The role of pre-exposures and induction of adaptive response phenomena in decreasing the risk of radiation in deep space missions has previously been discussed in detail by Mortazavi et al [7-12]. Citing reports authored by Mortazavi et al and other researchers about the importance of radioadaptation in deep space missions, a 2016 NASA report [13] states it is realistic to expect that cells will be exposed to multiple hits of protons before being traversed by an HZE particle.…”

Comments on ‘Cardiovascular effects of space radiation: Implications for future human deep space exploration’

“…7 Given this consideration, a major omission in this paper is not considering the protective effect of a pre-exposure to protons before exposure to HZE particles and its effect on the cardiovascular risk estimations. These protective effects include stimulation of the immune system 8 and activation of adaptive response mechanisms 9,10 as the human body responds to the increased radiation environment encountered during an extended duration space mission.…”