A.G. Goncharova1, L.Kh. Pastushkova2, D.N. Kashirina3, O.V. Popova4, I.N. Goncharov5, I.M. Larina6

1–6 State Research Center of the Russian Federation – Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Moscow, Russia)

1 goncharova.anna@gmail.com, 2 lpastushkova@mail.ru, 3 daryakudryavtseva@mail.ru, 4 olya.popovaolga2710@yandex.ru, 5 igorgoncharov@gmail.com, 6 irina.larina@gmail.com

Long-term spaceflight (SF) presents a significant challenge due to the potential occurrence of arrhythmias. In this work, we have performed the first analysis of the data obtained from the proteome analysis of "dry blood spots" for the possible assessment of the arrhythmogenic impact of such an extreme factor as a long spaceflight on the cosmonauts' body.

Objective – to attempt to identify protein biomarkers associated with heart rhythm disturbances. Using liquid mass spectrometry methods, we obtained and compared the data from the proteomic analysis of "dry blood spots" with the results of synchronously performed studies on board the ISS of the mechanisms of vegetative regulation of blood circulation, the functional state of the myocardium and the vascular bed in the "Cardiocontrol" experiment.

In the group with detected heart rhythm disturbances, specific proteins were identified compared to the group without disturbances: Cathepsin D (CTSD gene) was determined on the 7th day of the flight; In the third month of spaceflight, the proteins Solute carrier family 2, facilitated glucose transporter member 14 (SLC2A14 gene), and Immunoglobulin heavy constant alpha 2 (IGHA2 gene) were detected in samples from cosmonauts with arrhythmias. Proteins associated with arrhythmogenic effects were not detected in the sixth month of spaceflight. These significantly altered proteins were annotated.

Proteomic studies can become part of the medical and biological support for long-term missions and facilitate personalized arrhythmia prevention strategies at different stages of spaceflight, including before and after extravehicular activity (EVA) sessions.

Goncharova A.G., Pastushkova L.Kh., Kashirina D.N., Popova O.V., Goncharov I.N., Larina I.M. Search for markers of the arrhythmogenic influence of a complex of extreme factors of long-term spaceflight in the blood proteome. Technologies of Living Systems. 2026. V. 23. № 3. Р. 26-35. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18127/j20700997-202603-03 (In Russian).

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