Combined effects of radiation and simulated microgravity on intestinal tumorigenesis in C3B6F1 Apc mice.

Explorations of the Moon and Mars are planned as future manned space missions, during which humans will be exposed to both radiation and microgravity. We do not, however, know the health effects for such combined exposures. In a ground-based experiment, we evaluated the combined effects of radiation and simulated microgravity on tumorigenesis by performing X-irradiation and tail suspension in C3B6F1 Apc mice, a well-established model for intestinal tumorigenesis.