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NCT Number: NCT05496309

Causes and Mechanisms of Space Hemolysis At High Altitudes

Anemia is a lack of red blood cells (RBCs) in the circulation. Because RBCs carry the oxygen your body needs to function, anemia can affect one's ability to stay awake, alert, and perform physical activities. Anemia may happen for several reasons, including increased RBC destruction. Anemia often occurs in people who have been in bed for long periods (e.g., if they are very sick) or have decreased mobility (anemia of immobility). Interestingly, astronauts who have left Earth and traveled in space also return anemic. In fact, 5 decades of NASA data showed that astronauts' anemia was more severe the longer they were in space. In another study, astronauts aboard the International Space Station were shown to destroy 54% more of their RBCs in space. RBC destruction may be the culprit of space anemia as well as anemia of immobility on Earth. The ANEMIA Study proposes to measure key aspects of RBC destruction in astronauts in space. These measures will test critical hypotheses on the effects of spaceflight on red blood cells.

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Key information

Conditions

Anemia Hematologic Diseases Hemic and Lymphatic Diseases Weightlessness

Age range

24 year–55 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Ottawa Hospital Research Institute

Ottawa, Ontario, K1Y 4E9, Canada

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Astronauts selected to fly on a space mission.

Exclusion criteria

  • Astronauts not selected to fly on a space mission.

Treatment and study plan

Primary outcomes

  1. Hemolysis in astronauts is assessed using exhaled breath samples.

    Time frame: Before spaceflight.

  2. Change from baseline hemolysis in astronauts is assessed during spaceflight using exhaled breath samples.

    Time frame: Baseline and during spaceflight.

  3. Change from baseline hemolysis in astronauts is assessed after spaceflight, up to 1 month, using exhaled breath samples.

    Time frame: After spaceflight, up to 1 month.

  4. Hemolysis in astronauts is assessed using blood markers CBC, reticulocytes, haptoglobin, bilirubin (total+direct), LDH, ferritin, iron, and TIBC.

    Time frame: Before spaceflight.

  5. Change from baseline hemolysis in astronauts is assessed during spaceflight using blood markers CBC, reticulocytes, haptoglobin, bilirubin (total+direct), LDH, ferritin, iron, and TIBC.

    Time frame: Baseline and during spaceflight.

  6. Change from baseline hemolysis in astronauts is assessed after spaceflight, up to 1 month, using blood markers CBC, reticulocytes, haptoglobin, bilirubin (total+direct), LDH, ferritin, iron, and TIBC.

    Time frame: After spaceflight, up to 1 month.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Ottawa Hospital Research Institute

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Causes and Mechanisms of Space Hemolysis At High Altitudes (ANEMIA)

Acronym: ANEMIA

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2024
Study completion
2024
First posted
Aug 11, 2022
Registry last updated
Mar 20, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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