New studies show that young blood reverses effects of aging when put into older mice
The Washington Post
Health and Science
By Meeri Kim, Published: May 4
The rodent fountain of youth may not be filled with water, but with blood. A trio of new studies has discovered that the blood of young mice appears to reverse some of the effects of aging when put into the circulatory systems of elderly mice.
After combining the blood circulations of two mice by conjoining them — one old, the other young — researchers found dramatic improvements in the older mouse’s muscle and brain. After four weeks, stem cells in both those areas got a boost of activity and were better able to produce neurons and muscle tissue.
They later discovered that injections of a special protein found abundantly in young blood — or even transfusions of whole young blood — give the same advantages as sharing a blood supply.
Old mice who were injected with the protein or who received a blood transfusion navigated mazes faster and ran longer on treadmills. They easily outperformed their control peers, who were given only saline.
But for the young mice, getting old blood was a definite setback. When conjoined to an older mouse, the creation of new cells in the young mouse slowed. Old blood seemed to cause premature aging.
Much more available from the article page, or by performing a search on the terms, "age reversal blood."
There are interesting unintended effects if this proves to be as real for humans as it was for the dear mice. For instance, a secondary blood market could open up where the donor's age has been verified. Selling blood in such a market could pay enough to put someone through college, given the potential demand.
What about all the blood that is now out there in the blood banks? No one seemed concerned about the age of the donor at the time it was taken. Will new concerns arise?
It could lead to all kinds of stories where grands are donating to save their beloved senior relatives, or at least improve their quality of life.
The question could also be raised if giving blood reduces ones chronological capacity for youthful vigor. In other words, can giving blood repeatedly cause an earlier decrepitude?
There is much to ponder about this development.
Herb |
