X-Message-Number: 6080
Date: Wed, 17 Apr 1996 05:05:43 -0700 (PDT)
From: Doug Skrecky <>
Subject: "IMMORTAL" MICE (fwd)

I thought cryoneters might enjoy reading this.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Wed, 17 Apr 1996 04:47:40 -0700 (PDT)
From: Doug Skrecky <>
To: 
Cc: 
Subject: "IMMORTAL" MICE

     A full life of 100 years in humans works out to about 36 months for
 long lived C3B10RF1 mice. Using severe lifelong caloric restriction this
 has been extended to 54 months or about 150 "mouse" years. *1 However
 this does not represent a longevity record for mice. The Peromysus
 Leucopus strain of mouse appears to avoid the normal aging process and
 lives to (for mice) absolutely ridiculous ages. In one experiment fully
 fed PL mice bred successfully at 65 months (180 years). Although they
 gave no appearance of aging their mortality rate was not zero. Instead
 the low mortality rates established in adulthood persisted unchanged so
 that there was a roughly linear decrease in survivors with time. In one
 cohort 12 month survival was 94%, 24 month was 86%, 36 month was 66%, 48
 month was 51%, 60 month was 39%. This experiment and the remaining mice
 were terminated after some mice had reached 66 months of age. It has been
 reputably reported that PL mice has reached over 98 months (270 years) of
 age. *2
     A critical examination comparing PL mice with other strains may yield
 clues as to what are the main mechanisms underlying the aging process. If
 this could be applied to humans then the spectre of senility and old age
 disabilities may some day be eliminated in humans as well. Then instead
 of old age homes filled with vacant eyed 80 year olds, we'll have
 society's seniors remaining productive till (for instance) they wipe out
 on their motorbikes at 100 or 200 years of age. 

 *1 Journal of Nutrition 641-654 Vol.116 1986
 *2 Growth, Development & Aging 17-22 Vol.56 1992


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