Using artificial Hibernation to save lives

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Biomedical scientist Mark Roth from the Cancer Research Institute named after Fred Hutchinson in Seattle is working on the process of "artificial hibernation" (suspended animation). In his opinion, suspending or slowing down all the vital processes of the body can help save life in such emergency cases as a heart attack. Also, this technique can reduce the side effects of radiation treatment of tumors.

It all started with caves in Mexico, which are known for their natural sources of hydrogen sulfide. Speleologists who explored caves lost consciousness under the influence of this substance, and remained in this state until they were taken out into the fresh air. After learning about this, Roth began to study the effects of gas on laboratory mice. It turned out that when exposed to a certain concentration of gas, mice fell into a controlled hibernation, from which they then emerged without any negative consequences for the body.

In 2007, for his research in this field, Roth received the MacArthur Scholarship, which is also called the "award for geniuses". He explains that the possibility of the body going into hibernation is related to metabolism – how the body receives energy from food and oxygen. Slowing down the body's function is possible if you limit its oxygen demand. To do this, you can use elementary reducing agents – substances that give their electrons to other substances in redox reactions. Hydrogen sulfide is one of these reducing agents. On the one hand, it is a very toxic gas (about as toxic as cyanide), on the other – in certain quantities it can be useful to doctors.

In a heart attack, the arteries become clogged and do not allow enough blood to pass through. When surgeons release this "plug", oxygen consumption by cells increases dramatically (this effect is known as reperfusion injury). Heart cells burn oxygen so quickly that they die as a result. This is where artificial slowing down of body functions can be useful – if you first bring the patient into such a state, and then perform surgery, then the effect of injury can be minimized.

Since the beginning of his research, Roth has already found several compounds that can help achieve the goal. In addition to the toxic hydrogen sulfide and bromide, he found that iodides have similar properties, which are much safer at the same time.

Now the scientist is preparing to move on to clinical trials of artificial hibernation in humans. According to his estimates, the technology can be brought to commercial use in about 10 years. And the areas of its use are not limited to the treatment of heart attacks. Perhaps it will be possible to use it even for suspended animation during long space flights.

Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru27.03.2015