Arctic Sharks’ Secret to Longevity Revealed
New research suggests that the incredible longevity of Arctic sharks may be attributed to their metabolic activity. This groundbreaking discovery could offer valuable insights into conserving these majestic creatures in the face of climate change and potentially inform interventions to improve cardiovascular health in humans.
Arctic sharks, known scientifically as Dreamy microcephalus, are believed to live for at least 270 years, with some exceptional cases reaching over 500 years. While their cold environment and minimal movement were previously thought to be key factors in their longevity, a team of researchers decided to delve deeper.
To unravel the secrets of Arctic sharks’ longevity, the team analyzed enzyme activity in preserved muscle tissue samples. Surprisingly, they found no significant differences in muscle metabolic activity between sharks of different ages and environments, suggesting that their metabolism remains stable throughout their lifespan. This remarkable finding challenges the conventional understanding of aging in animals.
The study also revealed that metabolic enzymes were significantly more active in warmer environments. This suggests that the metabolic processes of Arctic sharks are not optimized for the polar climate they inhabit.
The researchers believe that the exceptional longevity of Arctic sharks may be attributed to their unique metabolic pathways, which do not exhibit the age-related decline in enzyme activity observed in other animals. This discovery could provide valuable insights into understanding how to prevent and mitigate age-related diseases in humans.