“If we can find out exactly what’s causing this anemia, then there is a potential to treat it or prevent it, both for astronauts and for patients here on Earth,” -Dr. Guy Trudel.Dr. Guy Trudel, a rehabilitation physician and researcher at The Ottawa Hospital and professor at the University of Ottawa, is leading a collaborative research project to uncover key mechanisms of spaceflight-related anemia.

All astronauts return from space with anemia, or lower red blood cell counts. Dr. Trudel’s team recently published a world-first study that revealed astronauts’ bodies destroyed 54 percent more red blood cells in space than they normally would on Earth.

This collaborative study with Universities in Paris and Malta will use novel, cutting-edge technologies to analyze blood samples from astronauts participating in the Polaris Dawn Program spaceflights.

Their findings might also be relevant to life on Earth. Bedrest has been shown to cause anemia, but how it does this is unknown. Dr. Trudel thinks the mechanism may be similar to space anemia.

“If we can find out exactly what’s causing this anemia, then there is a potential to treat it or prevent it, both for astronauts and for patients here on Earth,” said Dr. Trudel.

The Ottawa Hospital is a leading academic health, research and learning hospital proudly affiliated with the University of Ottawa and supported by The Ottawa Hospital Foundation.