Science
Related: About this forumInfusions of young blood may reverse some effects of ageing, studies suggest
Researchers in the US are closing in on a therapy that could reverse harmful ageing processes in the brain, muscles, heart and other organs. Hopes have been raised by three separate reports released by major journals on Sunday that demonstrate in experiments on mice the dramatic rejuvenating effects of chemicals found naturally in young blood.
Infusions of young blood reversed age-related declines in memory and learning, brain function, muscle strength and stamina, researchers found. In two of the reports, scientists identified a single chemical in blood that appears to reverse some of the damage caused by ageing.
Although all three studies were done in mice, researchers believe a similar rejuvenating therapy should work in humans. A clinical trial is expected to begin in the next three to five years.
"The evidence is strong enough now, in multiple tissues, that it's warranted to try and apply this in humans," said Saul Villeda, first author of one of the studies at the University of California in San Francisco.
http://www.theguardian.com/science/2014/may/04/young-blood-reverse-ageing-mice-studies
Mnemosyne
(21,363 posts)Historic NY
(37,449 posts)SheilaT
(23,156 posts)Sell your blood to old people.
If they actually demonstrate that young blood does this, it's just a matter of time.
BainsBane
(53,032 posts)most recently on American Horror Story. The implications are not good. Can you imagine wealthy people monopolizing the blood supply to maintain youth? Or obtaining blood through illegal means?
I wish medical researchers who quit worrying about the natural process of ageing and instead focus on life threatening illnesses.
silverweb
(16,402 posts)[font color="navy" face="Verdana"]"In two of the reports, scientists identified a single chemical in blood that appears to reverse some of the damage caused by ageing."
Now, since whole blood has not yet been replicated for emergency and life-saving use, scientists better get busy synthesizing or finding another source for that "single chemical" and others that accomplish this fountain-of-youth effect. Otherwise, criminal abuse will most surely follow.
The young are entitled to their own lives and are not obliged to preserve the vanity of the aged, though some old egomaniacs will surely disagree.
eppur_se_muova
(36,263 posts)sneaking up with a sharpened soda straw ready.