GoKawiilMachine perfusion found to biologically de-age donor livers before transplant
Researchers led by Adrien Longchamp and Bohan Poganik used aging clocks to show that livers pumped with oxygen and nutrients at 34 degrees on perfusion machines became biologically younger, with roughly a 30% difference compared to non-perfused organs after adjusting for chronological age. The effect persisted even after transplantation, though biological age rose in all livers once implanted, likely due to surgical stress.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
If confirmed and understood mechanistically, this finding could eventually lead to cheaper drug-based treatments that mimic perfusion's rejuvenating effect, since machine perfusion currently costs tens of thousands of dollars per organ. It could also expand the usable donor pool, particularly for older donors whose organs are riskier to transplant, addressing chronic organ shortages.
- Perfusion at 34°C with oxygen and nutrients appears to lower a liver's biological age by about 30% relative to non-perfused organs.
- The youthful effect fades somewhat after transplantation but doesn't disappear entirely, suggesting a lasting molecular change.
- Experts want to know if the effect holds for organs from much older donors, and whether cheaper drugs could replicate perfusion's benefits.
Source: technologyreview.com — Jessica Hamzelou, 2026-09-14
Published there as: “Donated livers can be made biologically younger”
Read the original report → The summary and analysis above are GoKawiil's own, written from reporting by the source above. Facts and quotes belong to the original publisher.