Perfused Livers Show Biological Age Reduction in Early Transplant Trials

Researchers found perfused livers maintained on machines for 6-12 hours demonstrated lower biological age markers than cold-stored livers in early trials.

Researchers from Mass General Brigham and Brigham Women's Hospital analyzed 37 liver samples from 19 donors and 208 samples from 103 donors. Perfusion—maintaining livers on machines with oxygen and nutrients at 34°C—produced livers with 30% lower biological age markers when adjusted for chronological age compared to cold-stored organs. This effect occurred in molecular pathways related to inflammation and cellular recycling. All donors in the study were aged 30–50 years, and effects on organs from older donors were not tested. Perfusion costs in Germany average €10,000 per organ (25% of transplant budgets), while U.S. costs range from $80,000 to $100,000 per organ.

The biological age reduction mechanism suggests perfusion may temporarily reverse aging markers at the cellular level. This could extend the viable window for liver transplants by reducing the biological 'age' of donated organs without requiring immediate use. For patients with end-stage liver disease, this may improve access to transplants by allowing organs to be used later in the donation chain.

This advance moves health abundance by potentially increasing transplant availability for chronically older donors. However, the effect is limited to transplants within 6 hours of perfusion, clinical outcomes remain unverified, and perfusion devices are not universally accessible. Next steps include confirming if this biological age reduction translates to improved patient survival and reducing costs through regional healthcare system adaptations.

Source: MIT Tech Review