Iron Metabolism in Cosmonauts in the Early Recovery Period after Orbital Flights of Various Duration

Iron metabolism as one of the key essential trace elements of the organism was studied in 40 male cosmonauts aged 36 to 61 years who participated in expeditions to the International Space Station. Cosmonauts were divided into three groups. The first group included 9 cosmonauts who had flown for 8 to 14 days, the second group included 27 cosmonauts who had flown for 125 to 215 days, and the third group included 4 cosmonauts who had flown for 340 to 371 days. Post-flight changes in iron metabolism are characterized by increased deposition of the trace element, independent of the duration of space missions. At the same time, after flights lasting from 125 to 215 days and from 340 to 371 days, cosmonauts show signs of iron transport disturbance and its redistribution in the organism. Most likely, the detected changes are associated with the development of inflammatory reaction under the stress of re-adaptation to Earth conditions.