Work

Numerical study on the effect of microgravity on biomechanics in human lumbar intervertebral discs

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This study was aimed to investigate the effects of microgravity on the biochemical and biomechanical change in the lumbar intervertebral disc (IVD) using a modelling approach. The lumbar IVD was considered as an inhomogeneous, porous, mixture consisting of a charged solid phase, an interstitial fluid phase, and a solute phase including charged (e.g., sodium ion, chloride ion) and uncharged (e.g., glucose, oxygen, lactate) solutes. A finite element model of the IVD was established based on the multiphase mixture theory. Our results showed that glucose and oxygen concentrations increased, while lactate concentration decreased under microgravity, compared to those under gravity condition. The metabolic rate of glucose, oxygen and lactate in the nucleus pulposus decreased, the water content increased, while the fluid pressure decreased in the IVD under microgravity compared to those under gravity. The results contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms of microgravity related biomechanics in the human IVD.

Source: npj Microgravity

DOI: 10.1038/s41526-025-00483-y

Authors: Bing Qin, Xin Gao, Jiwen Wu, Lu Zhou, Zhiyu Qian, Qiaoqiao Zhu

Institution: Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics

Language: English

Topic: Spine and Intervertebral Disc Pathology

Subfield: Pathology and Forensic Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,690