ObjectiveTo analyze the changes of serum trace element concentrations between subjects with and without motion sickness after exposure to acceleration,so as to provide new insights on the etiology and pathogenesis of motion sickness.MethodsA total of 60 volunteers were exposed to the repetitive acceleration stimulation using a 6-degree-of-freedom ship motion simulator.At the end of the acceleration exposure the subjects were divided into motion sickness and non-motion sickness groups according to the presence of nausea and vomiting.The serum samples were collected immediately after acceleration exposure to determine the concentrations of trace elements,levels of cortisol and epinephrine by inductively-coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES),radioimmunoassay (RIA) and high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrochemical detection (HPLC-ECD).ResultsThere were no significant differences in trace elements,cortisol and epinephrine concentrations between the motion sickness and non-motion sickness groups before exposure to acceleration.After exposure,serum Cu,Sr and Mn concentrations were apparently increased in the non-motion sickness group and not changed in the motion sickness group.Serum Zn concentration in the motion sickness group decreased by 19.7% after exposure（P<0.01）,and it did not change in the non-motion sickness group.Serum Zn concentration in the motion sickness group decreased by 17.1% compared with that in the non-motion sickness group after exposure（P<0.05）.Serum cortisol and epinephrine levels increased in both groups,and there were no significant differences between the two groups.ConclusionOur results suggest that acceleration exposure-induced increase of serum Cu,Sr,Mn,and decrease of Fe,Zn concentrations may be related to the development of motion sickness.