New research suggests that several species of African naked mole rats develop an uncanny ability to tolerate certain types of pain, including the discomfort caused by acid, chili peppers, and hot mustard. This news could ultimately lead to advanced pain management in humans. Well, while naked mole rats aren't the prettiest creatures on the planet, they're definitely cool.
The naked mole rat is not afraid of pain. Why?
The famous naked mole rat, which has the ability to resist cancer, lack of oxygen and, apparently, even death itself, is an extremely interesting subject for research. But even among naked mole rats there are especially interesting individuals. New research, which appeared recently in Science, shows that African naked mole rats have become insensitive to certain types of pain. Genetic gifts allow these underground rodents to thrive in other habitats, such as venomous ants' burrows.
A new study by Carlien Debus and Ole Eigenbrod of the Center for Molecular Medicine. Max Delbrück in Germany, is a continuation of work done on naked mole rats in 2008. Previous research by Thomas Park of the University of Illinois at Chicago showed that digger heads are good at tolerating pain caused by acid and capsaicin, the very chemical that makes hot peppers burn.
The park is also participating in a new study that tested several rodents for pain sensitivity, including nine species of African naked mole rats and a common mouse. They wanted to study the molecular factors responsible for pain resistance, in the hope that this understanding could lead to the development of highly effective analgesics in humans.
As part of the study, scientists injected three substances that commonly cause burning sensations in humans and other animals. It is important to note that these substances were chosen involuntarily - these things "rabbits" are constantly faced with. Specifically, naked mole rats were exposed to dilute hydrochloric acid (analogous to poison ant), capsaicin (an ingredient commonly found in rodent foods), and allyl isothiocyanate (AITC, an irritant found in the roots that naked mole rats eat; tastes like wasabi mustard)). Debus describes these substances as completely natural and without long-term toxicity. The experiments were also approved by ethics commissions in Germany, South Africa and Chicago.
During behavioral pain assessment, small amounts of these substances were injected into the paws of the animals. The rodents felt uncomfortable licking or raising their paws, and the process itself lasted about five minutes. Animals that did not perceive pain behaved as usual. For example, they dug and were interested in the environment.
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A total of three unrelated species of naked mole rats tolerated acid as if it weren't there. Two species have shown resistance to capsaicin. Another species has demonstrated a unique genetic adaptation to allyl isothiocyanate.
"Most likely, animals acquired this remarkable trait in order to adapt to life in a particular environment," says Debus. "The case in which a naked mole rat shares a burrow with poisonous ants provides a great example of how the environment is shaping evolution in the long term."
It also shows that some animals have super powers that, in theory, can be transmitted to humans. Would you like to become immune to chili peppers?
Ilya Khel