For may years, a process of joining the circulatory systems of young and old mice together in a procedure called Parabiosis, could make the young mouse appear to age and the old mouse get younger. The dilemma – is it “young blood” factors that rejuvenate the old mouse or “old blood” factors in old blood that make the young mouse age? A new study by Drs. Irina and Michael Conboy, Et al conclusively shows that pro-aging factors in old blood, rather than pro-youth factors in young blood, that brings about both changes. Much of the research dollars of the last decade went into trying to tease out the youth factors in young blood, and basically came up with next to nothing of consequence for reversing aging. The Conboy’s research demonstrates that quest to be essentially fruitless. They replaced 50% of the plasma in old mice with Saline and Albumin, essentially diluting out half of the pro-aging factors and observed rejuvenation.
This very interesting outcome points toward therapies for mitigation of any number of diseases of aging using currently available medical equipment for Therapeutic Plasma Exchange (TPE), currently used for treatment for a number of autoimmune, blood cancer and neurological diseases. Very little regulatory work stands in the way of re-purposing this equipment for treating diseases of aging as well.
Here is a link to an interview with the Drs. Conboy discussing their study and its principle outcomes; very much worth reading:
This is a link to the study itself, for the science gluttons among among our readers:
To your Greater Health and Fitness,
Frank
Frank Wilhelmi – Retired/consultant electronic engineer researches and reports practical strategies for optimizing health and fitness into advanced age. “I have a passion for living life to the fullest, and helping others to do the same.” A rapidly growing body of knowledge now enables us to extend our health and fitness decades beyond popular expectations.