A deep-sea predator with a lifespan of 500 years could hold the key to fighting heart disease and living longer.
Scientists believe that the metabolism of the invincible Greenland shark may hold the secret to its long life – and they hope it will do the same for us.
Little is known about the world’s longest-living vertebrate, which can live for centuries in the cold Atlantic Ocean from Canada to Norway and off the coast of Scotland.
One shark was found to be so old that it was born in 1624, the year England declared war on Spain and established its first Caribbean colony.
An incredibly old monster was discovered by the University of Copenhagen in Denmark.
That means he lived through the Great Fire of London, the English and American Civil Wars, and both world wars in the last century.
The monsters, which grow up to 23 feet, have even been known to eat polar bears.
Sightings are known to be rare because many of them live 600 meters below the 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 hold the key to improving heart health and helping other species fight 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 annual conference of the Society for Experimental Biology in Prague by Mr. Camplisson showed that the metabolic activity of the species did not change during aging, unlike other species.
He said: “Most species show changes in their metabolism as they age.
“The results support our hypothesis that the Greenland shark does not show the same traditional signs of aging as other animals.”
The researchers performed enzyme tests on preserved samples of Greenland shark muscle tissue and measured the metabolic activity of the enzymes.
The team found no significant differences in the metabolic activity of the muscles at different ages, suggesting that 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 species and the best way to do that is to understand them better.”
“By studying the Greenland shark and its heart, we may be able to better understand our own cardiovascular health.
“These are problems that become more frequent and more severe as we age.”
Researchers have already mapped all of the 16-foot-long shark’s mitochondrial DNA — the genetic material stored in tiny battery-like bodies in cells that provide energy.
They hope to learn what determines lifespan in different species, including humans.
The Norwegian Arctic University bone and tissue study may also provide clues about the long-term effects of climate change and pollution.
Five facts about the Greenland shark
It is the longest living vertebrate in the world
Greenland sharks can live up to 400 years or more in the deep, frigid waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Scientists believe this is because of their metabolism.
Greenland sharks can withstand freezing temperatures
These beasts thrive in freezing environments and prefer to stay in water between -1 and 10°C. They are the only known shark species that can tolerate arctic conditions year-round.
Greenland shark meat is poisonous
Greenland shark meat can cause symptoms similar to severe intoxication in humans, and the neurotoxins in their meat can even incapacitate sled dogs.
Greenland shark meat is a national dish in Iceland
A dish known as Hákarl or kæstur hákarl is prepared by suspending Greenland shark meat for four to five months, removing the adverse effects of neurotoxins.
Greenland sharks are really big
They have been known to grow up to 21 feet long and weigh 1,000 kg, although the typical Greenland shark weighs around 400 kg and is about 18 to 15.7 meters long.