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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
APS Contacts
Christine Guilfoy
(301) 634-7253
cguilfoy@the-aps.org
Donna Krupa
(301) 634-7209
dkrupa@the-aps.org
Hibernators May Hold Key to
Surviving Massive Bleeding, Controlling Appetite, and More
BETHESDA, Md. (Jan. 19, 2006) – Sure the nation’s
cameras are trained on Punxsutawney Phil on Groundhog Day each year for the
annual whimsical look to see how much longer winter will last. While this is
all in good fun, physiologists are learning important medical truths from
Phil and his hibernator cousins -- research that may one day save lives.
Consider taking a closer look at these remarkable
animals through the eyes of the scientists who study them. Attend the
American Physiological Society’s Comparative Physiology 2006: Integrating
Diversity, October 8-11, in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Or arrange an
interview any time of the year with Society members who are experts on
hibernation, including some who have these cute creatures snoozing in their
laboratories during the winter.
And what can we learn from these animals?
Hibernators, including some squirrels, bears, wood chucks, bats, hedgehogs
and lemurs, are medical marvels that turn off their appetites, curl into a
tight ball, and slow their breathing and other bodily functions to a crawl
that would kill other mammals.
They remain in a state of suspended animation for long
periods and yet their bones and muscles do not atrophy, noted Hannah V.
Carey, a hibernation researcher at the University of Wisconsin School
of Veterinary Medicine, a member of the Society and a presenter at the
Comparative Physiology meeting. If this process could be understood,
scientists might be able to prevent human bone and muscle from atrophying
during periods of inactivity, such as during an immobilizing illness or
injury.
Among the other applications this research might have:
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Surviving trauma. Hibernators have an astounding
ability to survive injuries such as traumatic hemorrhaging. Ground
squirrels can maintain blood pressure in the face of blood loss that would
send other animals into shock and death. If scientists can understand how
they do this, they may be able to help humans who have suffered massive
blood loss.
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Organ preservation. Hibernators are able to maintain
organ health for long periods as their bodies cool, blood flow slows, and
then functions return to normal in the spring. Understanding how they do
this physiologically could help scientists preserve organs harvested for
transplant for a much longer time. Right now, a human liver harvested and
placed in cold storage remains viable for only 24 hours, producing a
scramble to get the organ to an appropriate recipient.
And what can we not learn from our hibernating
friends? Well, with apologies to Phil, no hibernator is about to pop
outside on a set day. And they won’t tell us how much longer our winter is
going to last.
Find out more by attending Comparative Physiology 2006:
Integrating Diversity, October 8-11, in Virginia Beach. Contact: Christine
Guilfoy, American Physiological Society, (301) 634-7253 or
cguilfoy@the-aps.org or Donna Krupa, (301) 634-7209 or
dkrupa@the-aps.org
to attend the meeting or to arrange an interview
with one of the society’s researchers.
* * *
The
American Physiological Society was founded in 1887 to foster basic and
applied bioscience. The Bethesda, Maryland-based society has more than
10,000 members and publishes 14 peer-reviewed journals containing almost
4,000 articles annually.
* * *
APS
provides a wide range of research, educational and career support and
programming to further the contributions of physiology to understanding the
mechanisms of diseased and healthy states. In May 2004, APS received
the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science,
Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM).
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