PHARMACOKINETICS AND CONTRIBUTING PHYSIOLOGIC CHANGES DURING SPACEFLIGHT,
DETAILED SUPPLEMENTARY OBJECTIVE 632B (PHARMACOKINETICS, DSO 632B)
Research Area: Human Research: Integrated Physiology and Nutrition
Expedition(s): 12- 13
Principal Investigator(s): ● Lakshmi Putcha, PhD, NASA’s Johnson Space Center,
Houston, Texas
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
The Pharmacokinetics and Contributing
Physiologic Changes During Spaceflight,
DSO 632B (Pharmacokinetics) is a
detailed science objective (DSO) to
determine changes in the gastrointestinal
function and physiology by examining the
pharmacokinetics (process by which a
substance is absorbed, distributed,
metabolized, and eliminated by the body)
of acetaminophen (common pain reliever
and fever reducer).
EARTH BENEFITS
Understanding gastrointestinal disorders and diseases in adverse environmental conditions
help to improve delivery methods of medications for treatment, establish innovative, non-
invasive ways to measure drug availability in the body, and validate inexpensive ambient
storage for biological samples.
SPACE BENEFITS
This project will help scientists improve the design of medications provided to crew members
during space exploration to maximize the effect of the medication when taken in microgravity.
RESULTS
Analysis of data from Pharmacokinetics is ongoing, conclusive results will be published upon
completion of data analysis.
This investigation is complete; however additional results are pending publication.
Image of acetaminophen tablets. Gary Gardiner/Bloomberg via Getty
Images image.