Interesting statement about insulin levels. "The rodent was genetically
engineered not to respond to a growth hormone, a possible reason behind its
longevity, Bartke said. He added that the mouse's low levels of insulin and
glucose might also have had something to do with its long life. "
A Methuselah of Mice Dies in Lab
By Associated Press
January 17, 2003, 11:36 PM EST
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- A Methuselah of mice has died in a laboratory at Southern
Illinois University, school officials said.
The dwarf mouse, otherwise known as GHR-KO 11C, died Jan. 8 after living the
equivalent of 180 to 200 human years, said Andrzej Bartke, a physiologist who
worked with the mouse.
At 4 years, 11 months and three weeks old, the lab mouse lived about twice as
long as its species' average of 2 to 2 1/2 years, and more than eight months
longer than its closest rival at SIU.
"This mouse was just amazing," Bartke said.
The rodent was genetically engineered not to respond to a growth hormone, a
possible reason behind its longevity, Bartke said. He added that the mouse's
low levels of insulin and glucose might also have had something to do with
its long life.
Scientists placed the eight-gram mouse in a longevity study when they started
to notice he was outliving his peers, Bartke said. GHR-KO 11C's remains have
been sent to the University of Texas at San Antonio for further longevity
research.
Southern Illinois spokesman K.C. Jaehnig said no overall data base exists to
determine whether the mouse was the oldest ever.
Copyright © 2003, The Associated Press
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