Effects of 3-Day Immersion on Blood Proteome in Female Volunteers

Chromatography–mass spectrometry was used to analyze dried blood spots collected from 6 female volunteers in a 3-day dry immersion (DI) test in order to detect proteins involved in acute adaptation of the female physiological systems. Sampling was performed before DI, every day in DI, and on the next day after DI completion. Proteomic analysis demonstrated an immediate reaction of proteins involved in carbohydrate metabolism and proteasome degradation of proteins. On DI day-2, we saw a reaction of immune response proteins and decreased level of PEDF, an angiogenesis inhibitor that controls many processes, including heart protection from injuries. On DI day-3, the response was joined by proteins participating in processes of the complement cascade and coagulation, platelet degranulation, hemostasis, extracellular matrix formation, glycolysis, water–salt balance, antioxidant system, and the neutrophils involving defense response. It should be noted that on DI day-3 we also found increased levels of histidine triad 1 nucleotide-binding protein 1 (HINT1) and myosin light chain 4 (MYL4) that play an important role in cardiac adaptation to a volume overload. Not all of the proteins returned to baseline levels 2 days after DI. Changes in the level of proteins involved in lipid metabolism were observed only after DI completion.