Human torpor: translating insights from nature into manned deep space expedition

作者：Zhe Shi, Meng Qin, Lu Huang, Tao Xu, Ying Chen, Qin Hu, Sha Peng, Zhuang Peng, Lina Qu, Shanguang Chen, Qinhui Tuo, Duan‐Fang Liao, Xiaoping Wang, Renrong Wu, Ti‐Fei Yuan, Yinghui Li, Xinmin Liu · 发表于：Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society · 年份：2020 · DOI：10.1111/brv.12671 · 被引用次数：29 · 研究领域：Spaceflight effects on biology、Neuroscience of respiration and sleep、Circadian rhythm and melatonin

ABSTRACT During a long‐duration manned spaceflight mission, such as flying to Mars and beyond, all crew members will spend a long period in an independent spacecraft with closed‐loop bioregenerative life‐support systems. Saving resources and reducing medical risks, particularly in mental heath, are key technology gaps hampering human expedition into deep space. In the 1960s, several scientists proposed that an induced state of suppressed metabolism in humans, which mimics ‘hibernation’, could be an ideal solution to cope with many issues during spaceflight. In recent years, with the introduction of specific methods, it is becoming more feasible to induce an artificial hibernation‐like state (synthetic torpor) in non‐hibernating species. Natural torpor is a fascinating, yet enigmatic, physiological process in which metabolic rate (MR), body core temperature ( T b ) and behavioural activity are reduced to save energy during harsh seasonal conditions. It employs a complex central neural network to orchestrate a homeostatic state of hypometabolism, hypothermia and hypoactivity in response to environmental challenges. The anatomical and functional connections within the central nervous system (CNS) lie at the heart of controlling synthetic torpor. Although progress has been made, the precise mechanisms underlying the active regulation of the torpor–arousal transition, and their profound influence on neural function and behaviour, which are critical concerns for safe and reversible...