Scientists Isolate Two Hibernation Genes 2
steelrat
pointed at this article in The Independent , which says that Professor Gerhard Heldmaier of Germany's University of Marburg announced earlier this month the discovery of "two genes which are believed to trigger hibernation. The finding of the genes, which are involved in controlling, or 'switching' enzymes to equip the body for hibernation by allowing it to burn fat rather than carbohydrates, is the latest in a series of discoveries about human hibernation." While the research so far is only on animals, the story quotes University of Minnesota biochemist Matthew T Andrews, as saying "In the hibernation genes we have discovered, there are similar genetic sequences with those of humans." Eat less, sleep a lot ... maybe I can simply be awaked for major holidays and earthquakes.
hibernation by burning fat instead of carbs? (Score:2)
I'm a Diabetic, and I can tell you from my own personal experience that burning fat directly for energy, instead of carbohydrates, leads to BAD THINGS. The chemical byproduct of doing that leads to acetate in the bloodstream (e.g. fingernail polish remover). That makes you feel REALLY REALLY BAD.
Once a person's bloodsugar gets to a high enough level (as in Diabetics who don't have their bloodsugar under control), that happens automatically, and that's when the body starts going downhill very fast. Yes, you lose weight quickly, but it's more like a 'wasting away' type of weightloss. You also have to urinate constantly, and you're always thirsty. You're always tired, and physical exertion can wipe you out, give you the shakes, etc. It's extremely unpleasant! And those are just the short-term effects. Lasting effects include blindness, organ failure, and possible limb amputation. My dad died of Diabetes complications because he didn't take care of himself. It's not a good way to go, folks.
'Diabetic coma' doesn't necessarily translate into 'hibernation'. Scary.
Why study hibernation genes? (Score:1)
http://www2.ncsu.edu/ncsu/univ_relations/news_se rv ices/press_releases/00_01/16.htm
As they suggest, the most likely application in the immediate future would be in organ transplants. At there is a very limited time window for doctors to get the donor and recipient together and get the organ transplanted before it "dies". It's possible a better knowledge of the mechanisms of hibernation could extend the 'shelf life' of human organs intended for transplants.
Additionally Tumbleweed commented that diabetic type metabolism of fat has some very nasty side effects such as releasing acetone into the blood stream. However animals adapted to hibernation don't experience the same negative effects as a human diabetic. Studying how the animals handle the fat metabolism process could give us an understanding of how to help humans suffering from diabetes and starvation.
Pentapod