NASA testing measures to cure muscle loss during space visit

New Delhi : It may sound fascinating to be in zero gravity and feel no weight attached to your body, but it has its own set of complications, including muscle loss being the most common.

Though it has never been a major thing to worry so far as the astronauts visit space for a limited time, but with a focus on visit to Mars and considering its duration it has become one of the major concerns and NASA is looking for options that can cure it.

One potential solution NASA has evolved so far is a medication called Formoterol which is used to manage ailments like asthma and COPD by relaxing muscles in the airway.

As part of an experiment called Rodent Research-6 (RR-6), NASA in December sent two groups of 20 mice with medical implants to the ISS. One group came home in January with the other group due back sometime this month. With the experiment, NASA will be testing results to see if the same can be beneficial for humans too.

The prime focus will be on implant as it will help in avoiding the side effect of high dosage of medication and will also relieve from a worry of taking medicines on time.

The implant device has not yet been given a green signal from Federal Drug Administration, so it may take a while to reach humans.