11 August 2015
A microgravity simulation study with mice, conducted by the Department of Immunology at Peking University Health Science Center in Beijing, revealed altered composition of intestinal bacteria, decreased regulatory T cells, increased neutrophils, and imbalance of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the colon tissues.
"Our study provides useful insights on the cross-regulation of the mucosal immune system, epithelial barrier and commensal bacteria not only in humans in spaceflight or analog, but also in humans on earth that undergo various stresses," said the study author Qing Ge.  
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