Stability of Antimicrobial Drug Molecules in Different Gravitational and Radiation Conditions in View of Applications during Outer Space Missions

Abstract

The evolution of different antimicrobial drugs in terrestrial, microgravity and hypergravity conditions is presented within this review, in connection with their implementation during human space exploration. Drug stability is of utmost importance for applications in outer space. Instabilities may be radiation-induced or micro-/hypergravity produced. The antimicrobial agents used in space may have diminished effects not only due to the microgravity-induced weakened immune response of astronauts, but also due to the gravity and radiation-altered pathogens. In this context, the paper provides schemes and procedures to find reliable ways of fighting multiple drug resistance acquired by microorganisms. It shows that the role of multipurpose medicines modified at the molecular scale by optical methods in long-term space missions should be considered in more detail. Solutions to maintain drug stability, even in extreme environmental conditions, are also discussed, such as those that would be encountered during long-duration space exploratory missions. While the microgravity conditions may not be avoided in space, the suggested approaches deal with the radiation-induced modifications in humans, bacteria and medicines onboard, which may be fought by novel pharmaceutical formulation strategies along with radioprotective packaging and storage.

Understanding the Complexities and Changes of the Astronaut Microbiome for Successful Long-Duration Space Missions

“…Decreased susceptibility of bacterial pathogens to antimicrobial agents has been repeatedly observed during space missions (e.g., Cytos 2 experiment, Antibio experiment during the Spacelab D1 mission, Space Shuttle STS-42 mission, etc.) and in ground-based simulations using model organisms such as Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus [134]. These finding show that in space, bacteria adapt to grow at higher antibiotic concentrations, compared to ground samples [135].…”

“…The mechanisms contributing to this enhanced virulence were the Hfq pathway, which is required for virulence in several bacterial pathogens and considered a global regulator of the microbial response to spaceflight [140], and extracellular matrix accumulation, which is part of biofilm formation. Biofilms protect bacteria from various environmental conditions and increased production of biofilm communities has been frequently observed in bacteria exposed to both simulated and real space conditions [134,141]. In Candida albicans, such a feature was found in combination with increased filamentation and increased amphotericin B resistance [142].…”

Geriatric Space Travel©

“…B-Cells have demonstrated changes in their surveillance efficiencies and this may be due to the effect of altered gravity on the lymphatic system or changes to fluid dynamics within the lymph system [11,[191][192][193][194]. T-Cells, it is presumed, may take over some of the immunological duties, leading to inflammatory cascades, which in itself is thought to promote early aging [195][196][197]. Evidence for this may lie in the rise of inflammatory makers in other mammals in simulated altered gravity environments, with corresponding inflammatory issues and increased cardiovascular risk [198][199][200].…”

Microbial applications for sustainable space exploration beyond low Earth orbit

“…Since antibiotics are the most commonly used therapeutic for the treatment of bacterial infections, researchers are investigating whether microbes can be used for antibiotic production in space. This is particularly relevant considering that antibiotics are known to have accelerated degradation and decreased efficacy when flown and stored in space for long periods of time 188 . On the Space Shuttle Mission STS-77, Lam et al analyzed the effects of spaceflight on the production of monorden by Humicola fuscoatra WC5157, a marine fungus.…”