Drink your children's blood for longevity

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The discussion centers around a study that explores the effects of mixing old and young blood on brain health in mice, revealing that older mice produced more new nerve cells when paired with younger mice. This raises questions about the potential rejuvenating effects of younger blood, particularly due to its higher hormone levels. Participants express curiosity about the study's origins and implications, including whether similar effects could be observed across different species. The conversation touches on the differences between blood plasma and cells, emphasizing that plasma may carry hormonal content responsible for these effects. Concerns about immunogenicity are discussed, particularly regarding the risks of injecting blood versus consuming it. The dialogue also includes light-hearted exchanges about language and the complexities of biological functions, particularly regarding eotaxin, a protein linked to immune responses and aging. Overall, the study is seen as a significant step toward understanding the biological mechanisms of aging and potential therapeutic avenues.
Pythagorean
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Ok, well don't drink it, but they do owe you a couple years don't they?

http://med.stanford.edu/ism/2011/august/aging-brain.html

"The mixing of old and young blood produced changes in both the young and the old mice’s brains. For one thing, the older mouse in these pairs produced more new nerve cells in their dentate gyrus than solo older mice did."
 
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Interesting study.
 
Very interesting. Would be interested in how they first came up with the idea. Actually this is a reoccurring story found in the documents of almost all cultures.

The way I heard it is that hormone production declines with age. Ingesting young blood with higher levels of hormones rejuvenates the old.

Next step would be to determine if the blood of other species has the same effect.
 
Pythagorean said:
Ok, well don't drink it, but they do owe you a couple years don't they?

http://med.stanford.edu/ism/2011/august/aging-brain.html

"The mixing of old and young blood produced changes in both the young and the old mice’s brains. For one thing, the older mouse in these pairs produced more new nerve cells in their dentate gyrus than solo older mice did."

Interesting, unfortunately I'm having trouble with my internet at the moment and can't open the link. Do they have a hypothesis as to why?
Quickless said:
Very interesting. Would be interested in how they first came up with the idea. Actually this is a reoccurring story found in the documents of almost all cultures.

The way I heard it is that hormone production declines with age. Ingesting young blood with higher levels of hormones rejuvenates the old.

Next step would be to determine if the blood of other species has the same effect.

Unlikely on the latter without severe immunogenicity issues.
 
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Ryan,

It seems "too much eotaxin causes aging" was the conclusion after testing several (66) immune-signaling proteins.

The effects arose out of the plasma, not the cells themselves.
 
Interesting study and definately a step towards the futur :)
 
Sounds like a pension plan in my country :P

Great study! I never knew that blood changes its properties with age (except of course, the development of more antibodies because of the more infections an older animal may have experienced) What other properties change with age and how? (any links?)
 
When I spend time with younger folks, I feel younger myself. I'm not drinking their blood, though!
 
I am not sure I understand the difference between plasma and cell? My guess – blood cell is the agent for carrying things around to the rest of the body, while plasma refers to what is actually being carried around. This would support the hypothesis that it is the hormonal content of younger blood that is initiating the effect.

With respect to immunogenicity issues – think rare steak. In less civilized settings it is still an honored tradition to drink the blood/eat the heart of animals going to slaughter. Would suspect that the effect being investigated is not species specific.
 
  • #10
Quickless said:
I am not sure I understand the difference between plasma and cell? My guess – blood cell is the agent for carrying things around to the rest of the body, while plasma refers to what is actually being carried around. This would support the hypothesis that it is the hormonal content of younger blood that is initiating the effect.

With respect to immunogenicity issues – think rare steak. In less civilized settings it is still an honored tradition to drink the blood/eat the heart of animals going to slaughter. Would suspect that the effect being investigated is not species specific.

No, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_plasma" is the fluid that makes up the liquid component of blood. Eating something is different to injecting in, your body has evolved to destroy pathogens and break down food to avoid any issues. By injecting it you will definitely get immunogenic responses.
 
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  • #11
Quickless said:
With respect to immunogenicity issues – think rare steak. In less civilized settings it is still an honored tradition to drink the blood/eat the heart of animals going to slaughter. Would suspect that the effect being investigated is not species specific.

Ryan is right. The gastrointestinal tract is designed to deal with foreign material. It keeps what it needs and throws out the rest. But direct injection into the bloodstream or tissue would elucidate an immune reponse.

Moreover the issue with immunogenecity here is not danger to the receiver but neutralization of the drug's therapeutic effects.
 
  • #12
mishrashubham said:
... direct injection into the bloodstream or tissue would elucidate an immune reponse

I recommend that you look up the word elucidate.
 
  • #13
phinds said:
I recommend that you look up the word elucidate.

I'm pretty sure that's a typo for "illicit".
 
  • #14
ryan_m_b said:
I'm pretty sure that's a typo for "illicit".
I recommend you look up the word "illicit". :wink:

(I'm sure both of you were going for "elicit")
 
  • #15
Hurkyl said:
I recommend you look up the word "illicit". :wink:

(I'm sure both of you were going for "elicit")

:smile: Oops! I'm going to get my excuses out now and say that I've just gotten up and haven't had any tea yet...
 
  • #16
phinds said:
I recommend that you look up the word elucidate.

Not again! This has been happening a lot lately. I did mean 'elicit' Hurkyl. I regret any confusion because of this mistake.

Thanks phinds for pointing it out.
 
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  • #17
So, it would be cool if they developed an eotaxin blocker. (With no side effects, please.)
 
  • #18
zoobyshoe said:
So, it would be cool if they developed an eotaxin blocker. (With no side effects, please.)

Yikes! I hope not, Eotaxin is involved in many different functions including (IIRC) the proper behaviour of leukocyte extravasation. The biggest nightmare in investigating biology is that everything performs several functions. You might find a gene that increases incidence of cancer also is important for the formation of the lung and the migration of cell type X.
 
  • #19
Ryan_m_b said:
Yikes! I hope not, Eotaxin is involved in many different functions including (IIRC) the proper behaviour of leukocyte extravasation. The biggest nightmare in investigating biology is that everything performs several functions. You might find a gene that increases incidence of cancer also is important for the formation of the lung and the migration of cell type X.
In that case, forget I suggested it.
 
  • #20
Ryan_m_b said:
:smile: Oops! I'm going to get my excuses out now and say that I've just gotten up and haven't had any tea yet...

Freudian slips happen all the time.

But that is an interesting study.
 

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