Rejuvenating Effect Found In Blood Of Young Mice

Monday, May 5, 2014 - 13:01 in Health & Medicine

Albino lab mouse Wikimedia Commons When people speak of the regenerative power of "young blood," they usually mean it metaphorically. But a trio of new studies show that compounds in the blood of young mice can rejuvenate older animals in a number of ways--and suggest that same could possibly apply to humans. In some of the studies, blood from young mice flowed into older ones when their circulatory systems were directly connected; in another study, blood from youngsters, as well as a protein called GDF 11, was injected into elder rodents. In all cases, the older mice showed a number of improvements in health, almost as if they had become young again, as National Geographic reported: The DNA of old muscle stem cells was repaired; muscle fibers and cell structures called mitochondria morphed into healthier, more youthful versions; grip strength improved; and the mice were able...

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