In the latest studies on bats, a number of scientists have revealed that bats provide important clues to treating "Covid-19".

It is believed that the new Corona virus originated in bats and then jumped to humans via an intermediate species, possibly an artisan eater, which is appreciated in China for its standards used in Chinese medicine as well as its meat.

In addition to SARS-CoV-2, bats have also been identified as a natural reservoir of other deadly viruses, such as Ebola and rabies, according to scientists at the University of Rochester.

The researchers at the University of Rochester explained in a statement: "Although humans suffer from harmful symptoms when infected with these pathogens, bats are able to tolerate viruses significantly, in addition to living much longer than wild mammals." Of similar size. "

In a review article published in the journal Cell Metabolism, scientists examine why bats are not affected by viruses such as SARS-CoV-2, by studying their unusual age. "In general, the species's age is related to their body mass, and the smaller the species, the shorter their age and vice versa. However, many types of bats have a lifespan of 30 to 40 years, which is impressive for their size," the team says.

The research came when the biology professors at the University of Rochester, the couple Vera Gorbunova and Andrei Siloanov, were in Singapore last March before the travel ban linked to "Covid-19".

After Singapore entered the ban, professors performed sanitary isolation at the home of their colleague Brian Kennedy, director of the Center for Healthy Aging at the National University of Singapore. Kennedy co-authored the paper with Gorbunova and Silvanov during the quarantine.

"With Covid-19, it may be the inflammatory response that kills the patient, more than the virus itself. The human immune system works like this: Once infected, our bodies sound an alarm and have a fever and inflammation. The goal is to kill the virus and fight infection," Gorbunova says. But it can also be a harmful reaction because our bodies overreact to the threat. "

But the bats have developed "specific mechanisms that reduce viral reproduction and inhibit the immune response to the virus," and the team explained that as a result, bats' immune systems control viruses but do not carry a "strong inflammatory response."

Scientists said: "Bats are the only flying mammals that require adaptation to rapid increases in body temperature, sudden mutations in metabolism, and molecular damage. These adjustments may also help resist diseases."

In addition, bats live together in large and dense colonies where pathogens and viruses can be easily transferred. Silvanov said in the statement: "Bats are constantly exposed to viruses. They always fly and return something new to the cave or nest, and transmit the virus because they live very close to each other."

This means, according to scientists, that their immune systems are in an "arms race" constantly with pathogens. "Usually the most powerful vector of new features in development is an arms race with pathogens. Dealing with all these viruses may constitute a bat's immunity and longevity," Gorbunova said.

Scientists have observed that evolution occurs over thousands of years, not a few months. They explained that only in recent history has the majority of the population begun to live in close proximity to each other in cities, also citing developments in global travel and travel. They say: "While humans may develop social habits that are similar to bat habits, we have not yet developed advanced bat mechanisms to fight viruses when they arise and spread quickly."

In one possible outcome, our bodies suffer from more inflammation than bats, according to Gorbunova. The team explains that aging also appears to be an important factor in human response to Covid-19.

Against this background, analysis of the bat's immune systems could provide new targets for human therapies to fight disease and aging. Scientists explain: "For example, bats mutated or completely eliminated many genes involved in inflammation, and scientists could develop drugs to inhibit these genes in humans." The University of Rochester professors hope to start a new research program working towards this goal.

"Humans have two possible strategies if we want to prevent inflammation and live longer and avoid the deadly effects of diseases like Covid-19, one might not be exposed to any viruses, but this is not practical. The second is to regulate our immune system like bats," Gorbunova said.

Source: New York Post

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