Study of the Condition of Periodontal Tissues in Space Flight (Parodont)
Research Area: Integrated Physiology and Nutrition
Expedition(s): 1-8
Principal Investigator(s): ● Alexei I. Volozhin, PhD, Institute of Medical and Biological
Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
Significant changes in the local immunity and microbial (bacteria) system of the periodontium
(tissue near the teeth) qualify as risk factors for the development of inflammatory diseases of
the periodontium and possibly are one of the specific manifestations of the postflight
readaptation state of crew members’ bodies. Paradont studies the condition of local immunity
and microflora in the mouth of crew members participating in missions on the International
Space Station (ISS).
EARTH BENEFITS
The studies make it possible to open new fields of research to monitor the condition of
microflora in the mouth. A beneficial application kit is developed from the research,
lactobacterin immobilized on a collagen sponge, and successfully underwent clinical testing (for
the prevention of periodontitis).
SPACE BENEFITS
A preventative probiotic product, a periodontal patch, is developed, in the form of a lyophilized
substance as a strip containing lactobacilli immobilized on collagen. Results obtained from the
study help researchers to conclude that the use of the periodontal patch is the best way of
locally treating chronic generalized periodontitis in the flare-up stage.
RESULTS
Laboratory analysis of the returned materials
are performed on the ground and involved
quantitative measurements of the
concentration of opportunistic pathogenic
microflora in the mouth. The Parodont
experiment established that during spaceflight
significant changes occurred in local immunity
and microflora in the tissues that surround and
support the teeth of crew members, which
increased the risk factors for the development
of inflammatory diseases of the
dentomaxillofacial system in crew members. It
was noted that after flight the beneficial
microflora in crew members was reduced against the growth of harmful microflora. This
phenomenon increased the likelihood of periodontal disease.
This investigation is complete and all results are published.
Russian cosmonaut V.N. Dezhurov collecting
samples for the Parodont experiment. Roscosmos
image.