Feasibility of Dried Blood Spot Collection for Caffeine Pharmacokinetic
Studies in Microgravity: Insights from Parabolic Flight Campaigns
Abstract
Aim: Currently, therapeutic drug monitoring for astronauts faces
limitations in conventional blood sampling and sample management onboard
the international space station. Here, we explore the feasibility of
dried blood spot (DBS) collection method during parabolic flights (PF)
to overcome these constraints. Methods: We assessed the feasibility of
blood deposition on blotting paper for preanalytical aspects in a PF
using synthetic blood. Subsequently, DBS sampling validation was carried
out in another PF campaign. Twenty volunteers participated in a
pharmacokinetic study on caffeine and its metabolite, paraxanthine (as
proof of concept), conducted during parabolic flights. After
>18h caffeine washout, coffee (115 mg) or tea (30 mg), or 3
dark chocolate squares (11 mg) were administered. DBS samples were
collected at baseline, during weightlessness, and post-flight. Caffeine
and paraxanthine were analyzed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass
spectrometry. Genotyping for Cytochrome P450-1A2 (CYP1A2) was performed
and a metabolic ratio by areas under the curves for caffeine and
paraxanthine (AUCPAX/AUCCAF) for CYP1A2 was determined. User experience
survey was also conducted. Results: Full in-flight pharmacokinetic was
feasible in 17 volunteers with 3 failures due to motion-sickness. We
observed expected differences in kinetic profiles, consistent with
consumption habits, the ingested dose and the genotypic/phenotypic
information. The metabolic ratio did not significantly differ between
parabolic flights conditions and ground conditions. Overall participants
were satisfied with the usability of the method. Conclusion: DBS
collection was safe, stable, feasible and well accepted in
weightlessness. This method would offer valuable insights into human
metabolism adaptation during long-term spaceflight, addressing space
pharmacology challenges.