Secret of oxygen-deprived fish may help humans
`He believes the carp is able to carry on normal cardiac pumping without oxygen by ridding itself of lactic acid – the stuff that produces a burning sensation in human muscles after exercise – by converting it to ethanol, an alcohol, which is much less harmful.
A regular heartbeat may ensure that ethanol is circulated to the gills, where it is excreted to the surrounding water. “Otherwise you’d have an intoxicated fish,” he said. ‘
