In the realm of scientific research, mice have long served as a valuable model organism for studying various biological processes, including fasting. Many groundbreaking studies on fasting and its potential health benefits have been conducted on mice, yielding valuable insights and paving the way for further investigation. However, it is essential to acknowledge and address a crucial factor that often goes unnoticed: the significant differences in timescales between rodents and humans, particularly in metabolic rates.
While mice and humans share basic biochemical processes such as enzyme kinetics, more complex physiological processes exhibit considerable variations. Gestation, sexual maturation, lifespan, and metabolic rate, to name a few, diverge significantly between these species. One striking difference lies in the metabolic rate, which is approximately 6.4 times higher in mice compared to humans.
This distinction in metabolic rate has critical implications when translating findings from rodent studies, especially in the context of fasting, to clinical practice. Failure to account for the timescale differences between mice and humans can lead to confusion and misinterpretation of results. Researchers, healthcare professionals, and practitioners must recognize the need to consider and clarify these timescale variations to ensure accurate and effective translation of scientific findings from rodent studies to human applications.
To convert a given duration in rats to its human equivalent, a multiplication by the conversion factor of 6.4 is necessary. For example, if a metabolic event lasted 4 hours in mice, it would be equivalent to approximately 25.6 hours in humans (4 x 6.4). Recognizing these differences in timescales is crucial for effectively translating findings from rodent studies into clinical practice.