The naked mole rat is a fascinating creature that inhabits the arid desert regions of East Africa. In terms of appearance, this unusual rodent isn’t particularly attractive. Measuring about 15 cm and weighing 50 grams, with large curved teeth dominating its small face, its nearly hairless body adds to its strange look. However, behind this unattractive exterior lie unique characteristics that have made it the subject of intense scientific research.
In an unusual trait for a mammal, the naked mole rat lives in colonies of up to 300 animals, resembling the social structure of bees. The queen is chosen through deadly battles and becomes the sole fertile female in the colony. The fertility of the other females is likely suppressed by chemical signals. To have as many offspring as possible, the queen’s entire body grows by almost a third. This fascinating little animal simply enlarges its bones, extending its spine—a unique process in nature. But the naked mole rat’s extraordinary traits don’t stop there. It can survive for 15 minutes without oxygen and then fully recover. As the only mammal that is cold-blooded, it adjusts its body temperature to its surroundings. Even more surprising, its DNA is 90% similar to that of mice, and its metabolism resembles that of humans.
Among all these extraordinary traits, one stands out: its remarkable longevity and the possible role of hyaluron in maintaining its extraordinary health. Compared to other rodents, the naked mole rat’s lifespan is particularly fascinating. While mice and rats often live only a few years, the naked mole rat can live up to 40 years. During this time, the small survivalist maintains exceptional health and remarkable physical vitality. The queen, for instance, continues to bear offspring until her death without any sign of fatigue. This is akin to humans reproducing effortlessly into their seventies. Naked mole rats show no typical signs of aging—no cancer, retained fertility for extended periods, and their cells age very slowly.
Calico, a Google subsidiary researching longevity, has long been studying the naked mole rat, which defies the natural law that increasing age leads to a higher risk of mortality. Scientists are convinced that the molecular secret behind the naked mole rat’s extraordinary lifespan lies in a substance that also plays a key role in human skin and connective tissues: hyaluronic acid.
However, there’s a notable distinction with the naked mole rat: its cells produce a form of hyaluron that is larger or longer than that found in humans. This hyaluron, which creates a particularly viscous cellular environment, may serve several functions. Researchers believe it not only supports tissue regeneration but also offers protective benefits against cancer. Hyaluron in the naked mole rat may prevent tumor formation by stabilizing cellular connections and inhibiting the growth of cancerous cells.
Research on the naked mole rat offers intriguing insights for human medicine. Since hyaluron plays a crucial role in human skin hydration, tissue regeneration, and wound healing, it is already widely used in cosmetic and medical applications. However, hyaluron production in humans decreases with age, leading to signs of aging in the skin and connective tissues.
Studies on the naked mole rat could pave the way for new methods to enhance hyaluron production or application in humans to slow down the aging process. The unusually long hyaluron of the naked mole rat could serve as a model for new therapies against degenerative diseases and cancer prevention.
Though unassuming on the outside, the naked mole rat’s incredible life could unlock new insights into aging research. The role of hyaluron in the longevity of this animal highlights the potential of this substance for human health and the fight against aging. As scientists continue to unravel the naked mole rat’s secrets, this unique form of hyaluron could one day help us combat the effects of aging in unprecedented ways.
