Drink your children's blood for longevity

  • Thread starter Thread starter Pythagorean
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Blood longevity
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of rejuvenation through the mixing of young and old blood, referencing a study on the effects of blood composition on aging in mice. Participants explore the implications of this research, including historical perspectives, hormonal influences, and potential applications in other species.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants mention a study indicating that mixing old and young blood affects brain cell production in older mice.
  • There is speculation about the historical context of blood rejuvenation practices across cultures.
  • One participant suggests that declining hormone production with age may be countered by ingesting young blood.
  • Concerns are raised about the immunogenicity of using blood from other species, with some arguing it may not be species-specific.
  • Discussion includes the distinction between plasma and blood cells, with a hypothesis that hormonal content in younger blood may drive observed effects.
  • Participants debate the implications of eotaxin in aging and its potential as a therapeutic target, while acknowledging the complexity of biological functions.
  • There are multiple corrections and clarifications regarding the use of specific terminology, indicating some confusion among participants.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on the implications of the study and the potential for blood rejuvenation, with no consensus reached on the validity of the proposed ideas or the feasibility of applications in humans or other species.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include unresolved questions about the mechanisms behind the effects observed in the study, the assumptions regarding species-specific responses, and the potential side effects of manipulating immune responses.

Pythagorean
Science Advisor
Messages
4,430
Reaction score
327
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."
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Biology news on Phys.org
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.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
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 definitely 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.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #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.
 
Last edited:
  • #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.
 

Similar threads

Medical Advances towards creating sperm and eggs in the lab
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
Do Movies Teach Us Realistic Life Skills?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
10K