The naked mole-rat is a fascinating animal that lives in the arid desert regions of East Africa. Outwardly, this unusual rodent is not particularly attractive. It measures approximately 15 cm in length and weighs around 50 grams, with large, curved incisors that dominate its small face. Its almost hairless body further contributes to this impression. But behind its unattractive exterior lie unique characteristics that have made it the subject of intensive research.
Unusually for a mammal, it lives in colonies of up to 300 individuals, more reminiscent of bee colonies. The queen is chosen in life-or-death battles and is then the only fertile female in the colony. The fertility of the other females is most likely suppressed by chemical messengers. To produce as many offspring as possible, the queen's entire body enlarges by almost a third. This fascinating little creature simply grows its bones, lengthening its spine. A unique process in nature. But its remarkable characteristics don't end there. It can also survive for a quarter of an hour completely without oxygen and then fully recover. As the only mammal, this superhero is cold-blooded and adapts its body temperature to its surroundings. Its genetic makeup is 90% that of mice, and its metabolism is comparable to that of humans.
Of all these extraordinary qualities, one stands out in particular: its remarkable longevity and the possible role of hyaluronic acid in maintaining its exceptional health. Compared to other rodents, the naked mole-rat's lifespan is truly remarkable. While mice and rats often live only a few years, the naked mole-rat can reach 40 years of age. This little survivor enjoys astonishingly robust health and unparalleled physical stamina right up to the end of its life. The queen shows no signs of fatigue in reproductive activity until her death. This is comparable to humans reproducing as naturally as they can into their seventies. Naked mole-rats exhibit no typical signs of aging as seen in other animals – they do not develop cancer, retain their fertility for a long time, and their cells age very slowly.
Calico, a Google subsidiary that researches longevity, has long been studying the naked mole-rat, which simply defies the natural law that mortality increases with age. Scientists are convinced that the molecular secret behind the naked mole-rat's extraordinary longevity lies in a substance that also plays a key role in human skin and connective tissue. Hyaluronic acid .
However, the naked mole-rat has a remarkable characteristic: its cells produce a form of hyaluronic acid that is larger or longer than that of humans. This hyaluronic acid, which creates a particularly viscous cellular environment, could fulfill several functions. Researchers suspect that it not only supports tissue regeneration but also plays a protective role against cancer. Hyaluronic acid in the naked mole-rat could prevent tumor formation by stabilizing cell contacts and inhibiting the growth of cancer cells.
Research on naked mole-rats provides interesting insights for human medicine. Since hyaluronic acid plays a central role in skin hydration, tissue regeneration, and wound healing in humans, it is already used in many cosmetic and medical applications. However, hyaluronic acid production in humans decreases with age, leading to signs of aging in the skin and connective tissue.
Research on naked mole-rats could reveal new ways to optimize the production or application of hyaluronic acid in humans to slow down the aging process. The exceptionally long hyaluronic acid molecules of naked mole-rats could serve as a model for new therapies against degenerative diseases and for cancer prevention.
The naked mole-rat may appear unassuming, but its remarkable life could unlock new insights in aging research. The role of hyaluronic acid in this animal's longevity demonstrates the potential of this substance for human health and the fight against aging. As scientists continue to unravel the secrets of the naked mole-rat, this unique hyaluronic acid could one day help to influence human aging in entirely new ways.
