Biological System
Renal & Metabolic
Kidney function and metabolite profiles across the mission
Overview
The kidneys regulate fluid balance, electrolytes, and waste clearance — functions that come under new stresses in space. The Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) gives a snapshot of kidney and liver function, electrolyte balance, and blood glucose across the mission window. The plasma metabolomics data from OSD-571 extends this picture to hundreds of circulating metabolites.
How to read this page: These findings describe four individuals at one point in time. No finding should be generalized to spaceflight health broadly. Individual differences dominate the signal. Values labeled “2× individual baseline” use derived thresholds, not clinical cutoffs.
Key findings
- Creatinine and BUN (kidney filtration markers) stayed within clinical reference ranges for all crew.crew who showed this effect
- Electrolyte panels (sodium, potassium, chloride, CO2) were stable — no crew member showed clinically significant deviation.crew who showed this effect
- Plasma metabolomics (OSD-571) identified shifts in glutathione pathway metabolites and acylcarnitines at R+1.crew who showed this effect
- Glucose readings reflected pre-mission fitness levels — all crew maintained normal fasting glucose.crew who showed this effect
Individual trajectories
change from own pre-mission level · n=4fold-change from L-44ALB
Albumin
The main protein in blood that keeps fluid inside vessels; low levels hint at nutritional strain or liver trouble.
CMP markers shown as change from own pre-mission level. Metabolomics charts will render once pathway processing is complete.
A/G
Albumin-to-Globulin Ratio
A balance between two groups of blood proteins; a shift in either direction can point to immune activation or liver strain.
CMP markers shown as change from own pre-mission level. Metabolomics charts will render once pathway processing is complete.
ALKP
Alkaline Phosphatase
An enzyme released by the liver and bones; elevated levels suggest the liver is stressed or bone is actively remodeling.
CMP markers shown as change from own pre-mission level. Metabolomics charts will render once pathway processing is complete.
ALT
Alanine Aminotransferase
A liver-specific enzyme that leaks into the blood when liver cells are stressed or damaged.
CMP markers shown as change from own pre-mission level. Metabolomics charts will render once pathway processing is complete.
AST
Aspartate Aminotransferase
An enzyme found in both liver and muscle that rises after intense physical exertion or when either tissue is under stress.
CMP markers shown as change from own pre-mission level. Metabolomics charts will render once pathway processing is complete.
TBIL
Total Bilirubin
A waste product from red blood cell breakdown; elevated levels can signal that the liver is under strain.
CMP markers shown as change from own pre-mission level. Metabolomics charts will render once pathway processing is complete.
BUN/CRE
BUN-to-Creatinine Ratio
A ratio that helps distinguish dehydration from kidney problems — both raise waste products, but in different proportions.
CMP markers shown as change from own pre-mission level. Metabolomics charts will render once pathway processing is complete.
CA
Calcium
A mineral essential for bone strength, muscle contraction, and nerve signaling; the kidneys keep blood levels in a tight range.
CMP markers shown as change from own pre-mission level. Metabolomics charts will render once pathway processing is complete.
CO2
Carbon Dioxide (Bicarbonate)
A measure of the blood's acid-base balance, kept stable by the lungs and kidneys working together.
CMP markers shown as change from own pre-mission level. Metabolomics charts will render once pathway processing is complete.
CL
Chloride
An electrolyte that works alongside sodium to maintain fluid balance and keep blood acidity in check.
CMP markers shown as change from own pre-mission level. Metabolomics charts will render once pathway processing is complete.
CRE
Creatinine
A muscle waste product the kidneys filter out; rising levels are an early sign of dehydration or kidney strain.
CMP markers shown as change from own pre-mission level. Metabolomics charts will render once pathway processing is complete.
eGFR-AA
eGFR (African American)
An estimate of how well the kidneys are filtering waste, calculated using a physiologically adjusted formula.
CMP markers shown as change from own pre-mission level. Metabolomics charts will render once pathway processing is complete.
eGFR
eGFR (Non-African American)
An estimate of how many milliliters of blood the kidneys clean per minute — a direct window into kidney health.
CMP markers shown as change from own pre-mission level. Metabolomics charts will render once pathway processing is complete.
GLOB
Globulin
A group of blood proteins that includes antibodies; elevated levels suggest the immune system is actively mounting a response.
CMP markers shown as change from own pre-mission level. Metabolomics charts will render once pathway processing is complete.
GLU
Glucose
Blood sugar — the body's main fuel; stress hormones like cortisol push it higher, so spaceflight stress can cause a temporary rise.
CMP markers shown as change from own pre-mission level. Metabolomics charts will render once pathway processing is complete.
K
Potassium
An electrolyte essential for normal heart rhythm and muscle contraction; even small deviations can cause noticeable symptoms.
CMP markers shown as change from own pre-mission level. Metabolomics charts will render once pathway processing is complete.
TP
Total Protein
The combined total of all proteins in the blood, reflecting both nutrition and the liver's ability to manufacture proteins.
CMP markers shown as change from own pre-mission level. Metabolomics charts will render once pathway processing is complete.
NA
Sodium
The primary electrolyte that controls how much water the body retains; tightly regulated by hormones and the kidneys.
CMP markers shown as change from own pre-mission level. Metabolomics charts will render once pathway processing is complete.
BUN
Blood Urea Nitrogen
A waste product from protein metabolism that healthy kidneys clear from the blood; it rises with dehydration or reduced kidney function.
CMP markers shown as change from own pre-mission level. Metabolomics charts will render once pathway processing is complete.