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 Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=6080