Dry immersion rapidly disturbs iron metabolism in men and women: results from the VIVALDI studies
Mathieu Horeau, Nastassia Navasiolava, Angelique Van Ombergen, Marc‐Antoine Custaud, Adrien Robin, Martine Ropert, Inês F. Antunes, Marie‐Pierre Bareille, Rebecca Billette de Villemeur, Guillemette Gauquelin-Koch, Frederic Derbré, Olivier Loréal
Abstract
Iron is essential for cell respiration, muscle metabolism, and oxygen transport. Recent research has shown that simulated microgravity rapidly affects iron metabolism in men. However, its impact on women remains unclear. This study aims to compare iron metabolism alterations in both sexes exposed to 5 days of dry immersion. Our findings demonstrate that women, similarly to men, experience increased systemic iron availability and elevated serum hepcidin levels, indicative of iron misdistribution after short-term exposure to simulated microgravity.