Searching for Similarities in the Biochemistry of Long-Lived Mammals

Portions of the aging research community study various long-lived mammals, such as naked mole-rats, bowhead whales, elephants, and Brandt's bats. In most cases research projects compare a long-lived species with another species that is similar but short lived; consider the many papers examining the differences between naked mole-rats and mice or rats, for example. Naked mole rats and mice are about the same size, but the naked mole-rats live an order of magnitude longer. The hope is that such large differences in life span should help to illuminate those areas of cellular biochemistry most important in determining the pace of aging. At this stage in the growth of the comparative biology of aging it is still a question mark as to just how much can be done with this knowledge, once obtained. Will it be practical to port over aspects of the biology of long-lived mammals to humans any time soon? Given the lengthy, expensive, and so far largely fruitless struggles to find ways to make human biochemistry undergo the beneficial calorie restriction response without actual calorie restriction, a mere change of state in one species, I have to think that we shouldn't be holding our breath waiting for medicine based on the biochemistry of other species. Controlling the operation of metabolism to this degree has been demonstrated to be a substantial challenge given present capabilities. Progress will occur, but for now there are far more effective paths forward, such as the SENS ap...
Source: Fight Aging! - Category: Research Authors: Tags: Medicine, Biotech, Research Source Type: blogs