Hibernation induction trigger
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Hibernation induction trigger (hibernation inducement trigger or HIT) is a substance found in the blood of hibernating animals.[1] If blood is taken from a hibernating squirrel in the winter and injected into another squirrel in the spring, the normally active squirrel will be more prone to hibernation when placed in cold dark conditions. HIT can also be found in the blood of hibernating bears.
Researchers were able to prolong the life of an isolated pig's heart with HIT. This may have potentially important implications for organ transplant, as it could allow organs to survive for up to 18 or more hours, outside the human body. This would be a great improvement from the current 6 hours.
HIT is a mixture derived from serum, including at least one opioid-like substance. DADLE is an opioid that in some experiments has been shown to have similar functional properties. [2]
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes
- ^ http://www.sciencemadesimple.com/animals.html
- ^ Oeltgen PR, Nilekani SP, Nuchols PA, Spurrier WA, Su TP (1988). "Further studies on opioids and hibernation: delta opioid receptor ligand selectively induced hibernation in summer-active ground squirrels". Life Sc. 43 (19): 1565–74. doi:10.1016/0024-3205(88)90406-7. PMID 2904105.
[edit] External links and sources
- Potential medical usage
- Harvested human Lung Preservation With the Use of Hibernation Trigger Factors
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