We’re always looking for ways to live longer, and new research suggests that Greenland sharks may hold the key to human longevity.
The Greenland shark is the longest-living vertebrate on Earth: most sharks live for at least 270 years, but some have lived for over 500 years. “one of natural The least elegant invention” by New YorkerThe Greenland shark is certainly not a very cute creature, with a short snout and a large mouth, and parasites dangling adorably from its eyes.
At the same time, they are the only sharks that They survive in polar regions all year round. I live in Very cold water, Sharks barely move, usually less than two miles per hour. this, Combined with the cold environment, That could be the reason for their longevity. New research shows that’s not the case..
InsteadThe Methuselah-like abilities of sharkss The metabolic activity of muscles. Completely different Like other animals, sharks do not experience a decline in metabolism as they age, but rather their metabolism remains fairly constant throughout their lives.
Greenland sharks in Uummannaq Fjord. Photo: Julius Nielsen
Stable metabolism
The researchers different shark of different They were aged and the activity of various enzymes was analyzed. Enzymes control most metabolic reactions. over time, you right Normally See some The activity of some enzymes decreases and the activity of others increases.
Instead, Activity level It was amazingly consistent. “this [fluctuations in enzyme activity] “This is all part of a natural metabolism, as our metabolism slows down and changes over time as we age,” said lead researcher Ewan Camplison. IFLScience“we do not If you look at this with Greenland sharks, do not Show this traditional sign aging.“
Instead, shark enzyme activity changes depending on the environment. In warm waters, The enzymes become more active. By itself This isn’t all that surprising, since enzymes tend to work faster in warmer temperatures, suggesting that the metabolic activity in muscles isn’t an adaptation brought about by Arctic waters.
As we get older, heart Symptoms become more common and severe. Greenland sharks. Studying their hearts may tell us more about our own cardiovascular health.
The study also The potential impact of climate change on long-lived species. Some females take 150 years to reach sexual maturity. This near-eternal time between generations makes it difficult for sharks to adapt to changes in their environment. In a rapidly changing world, Their slow-paced approach may no longer be advantageous.
