A DEEP sea predator with a lifespan of 500-years could be the key to battling heart disease and living longer.
Researchers believe the invincible Greenland Shark’s metabolism could hold the secret to its long life – and they’re hoping it will do the same for us.
Little is known about world’s longest-living vertebrate, which can live for centuries in the frigid Atlantic ocean from Canada to Norway and off the coast of Scotland.
One shark was discovered to be so old that it it was born in 1624, the year England declared war on Spain and founded it’s first Caribbean colony.
The incredibly old monster was discovered by the University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
This means it has lived through the Great Fire of London, The English and American civil wars and both world wars of the last century.
The monsters, who grow to 23ft, have even been known to eat polar bears.
Sightings are known to be rare as many do live 600 metres under Arctic ice.
Now experimental research shows that muscle metabolic activity may be an important factor in the incredible longevity of the Greenland shark.
The new findings could be key to improving heart health and help other species against climate change.
Lead researcher Ewan Camplisson, a PhD student at the University of Manchester said: “We want to understand what adaptations they have that allow them to live so long.
Research presented at the Society for Experimental Biology annual conference in Prague from Mr Camplisson showed that the metabolic activity of the species did not change as it ages, unlike other species.
He said: “Most species show variation in their metabolism when they age.
“The results support our hypothesis that the Greenland shark does not show the same traditional signs of ageing as other animals.”
The scientists conducted enzyme tests on preserved muscle tissue samples from Greenland sharks and measured the metabolic activity of the enzymes.
The team found no significant variation in muscle metabolic activity across different ages, suggesting that the metabolism does not appear to decrease over time and may play a key role in their longevity.
The researchers now plan to test more enzymes and tissue types to gain an even deeper understanding of the shark’s metabolic activity.
Mr Camplisson said: “My ultimate goal is to protect the species and the best way to do this is to better understand them.”
“By studying the Greenland shark and its heart, we may be able to better understand our own cardiovascular health.
“These are issues that become progressively more common and severe with increasing age.”
Researchers have already mapped out all the 16ft shark’s mitochondrial DNA – genetic material held in tiny battery-like bodies in cells that supply energy.
They hope to learn what determines life expectancy in different species including humans.
The study of its bones and tissues by the Arctic University of Norway may also provide clues about the effects of climate change and pollution over a long time span.
Five facts about the Greenland Shark
It’s the world’s longest-living vertebrate
Greenland sharks can live to 400-years-old or more in the deep freezing waters of the Atlantic ocean. Scientists believe it’s due to their metabolism.
Greenland Sharks can tolerate freezing temps
These beasts thrive in a frigid environment and prefer to stay in water ranging from -1 to 10°C. They are the only known shark species that can tolerate Arctic conditions all year long.
The meat of a Greenland shark is poisonous
Greenland shark meat can cause symptoms in humans similar to severe inebriation, and the neurotoxins in their flesh can even be incapacitating to sled dogs.
Greenland shark meat is a national dish in Iceland
The dish known as Hákarl or kæstur hákarl, is prepared by hanging the meat of the Greenland shark up for four to five months, removing the adverse effects of the neurotoxins.
Greenland Sharks are really big
They have been known to grow as long as 21 feet and as heavy as 1,000 kg, though the typical Greenland shark weighs around 400 kg and is about 18 to 15.7 fee long.
Dr. Thomas Hughes is a UK-based scientist and science communicator who makes complex topics accessible to readers. His articles explore breakthroughs in various scientific disciplines, from space exploration to cutting-edge research.
