INFORMAZIONI SU

BALDASSARRE Giovanni

Supervisore: Prof. Grassi

Functional biomarkers of impairment to oxidative metabolism in simulated microgravity (bed rest)

Oxidative metabolism represents the main determinant of exercise tolerance and work capacity
during everyday life; therefore, it strongly affects the quality of life of the subjects/patients. Central (respiratory and cardiovascular) as well as peripheral factors (microvascular function, intramuscular matching between O2 delivery and O2 uptake, mitochondrial respiration) may contribute to the impairment of oxidative metabolism following inactivity, or in pathological conditions, increasing the risk of morbidity and mortality. Therefore, the aim of my PhD project is to identify biomarkers of impairment of oxidative metabolism during exercise, mostly non-invasive, in healthy subjects exposed to simulated microgravity/inactivity (bed rest), and in patients affected by chronic diseases (obesity and cardiovascular diseases) as well. Accurate knowledge of the site(s) of impairment of oxidative function is of utmost importance for the evaluation of the general health status as well as for the definition of possible countermeasures for diseased and/or inactive population but also for crews of astronauts during spaceflight missions.