A study conducted at the University of Washington succeeded in inducing hibernation in mice, and it is planned to apply it to humans.
hibernation in mice. Photo: Unsplash.
It seems that hibernation is not limited to animals such as bears, turtles, bats or frogs, and this is what an American university intends to prove, given that a team of scientists was able to Carrying rats and micesafely and without invasive intervention, to a state similar to hibernation and thenIf all goes according to plan, its application to humans.
The investigation was conducted by experts from Washington University And what has been achieved in small rodents is taken one step further in the goal, hibernation For humans in the case of space travel or for use in medicinea measure that was proposed more than six decades ago.
Lab. Photo: Unsplash.
The new method may help achieve the long-sought “formula for non-invasive and safe hibernation induction that The scientific community has been seeking it, at least since the 1960sexplained the lead researcher of the study, Hong Chen.
How is the mechanism
The research work has been published in the journal nature metabolismwhere it describes the method used Temporarily activate nerve cells in the brain that lower body temperature and slow down metabolism.
So, The use of ultrasound causes What some mammals and birds do naturally, It intelligently conserves energy and heat by entering a state of hibernation. In this condition, your body temperature and metabolic rate decrease It enables you to survive in life threatening conditionsLike extreme cold or lack of food.
Mice, before the hibernation room in people. Photo: Unsplash.
To achieve this, the team has evolved Portable ultrasound device to Stimulation of the preoperative zone of the hypothalamus, which is responsible for regulating body temperature and metabolismBy stimulating the area, the mice showed a decrease in body temperature of 3 degrees Celsius.
next to, Metabolism went to use it Carbohydrates and fats as an energy source, to use Just fathis heart rate decreased by 47%, all at room temperature.
