Muscle breach. (Letters).The article "Beta-blockade guards burn victims" (SN: 10/27/01, p. 263) states that a generic beta-blocker, when administered to patients who have suffered severe injury, was shown to reduce the common muscle-wasting condition known as hypermetabolism. Has this technique ever been considered for or shown effective in reducing inactive muscle wasting, as would occur in a long-term space voyage? Dwain L. Beaver Dayton, Ohio "It's reasonable hypothesis" that has not been tested, says Robert R. Wolfe of the University of Texas in Galveston. Wolfe, one of the authors of the study cited in the article, is collaborating with NASA NASA: see National Aeronautics and Space Administration. NASA in full National Aeronautics and Space Administration Independent U.S. on research relating to relating to relate prep → concernant relating to relate prep → bezüglich +gen, mit Bezug auf +acc muscle loss from prolonged pro·long tr.v. pro·longed, pro·long·ing, pro·longs 1. To lengthen in duration; protract. 2. To lengthen in extent. inactivity inactivity Sedentary activity Internal medicine An absence of physical activity and/or exercise, a predictor of obesity. See Couch potato. Physical activity, Vigorous exercise . Unfortunately, he says, the heart-slowing effect of beta-blockers--which isn't an issue among burn victims because they have elevated heart rates--might render the drugs unusable by people trying to retain muscle during space voyages. "Decreased cardiovascular performance would override An arrangement whereby commissions are made by sales managers based upon the sales made by their subordinate sales representatives. A term found in an agreement between a real estate agent and a property owner whereby the agent keeps the right to receive a commission for the sale of in importance any beneficial effect [from using beta-blockers to reduce] the rate of loss of muscle mass," he proposes. --B. Harder Send communications to: Editor, SCIENCE NEWS 1719 N Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20036 or scinews@sciserv.org All letters subject to editing. |
|
||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion