Chinese scientists from Nanjing University claim to have made a breakthrough in anti-ageing research by isolating an anti-ageing component in the blood of young mice. The research, published in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Ageing on April 16, reveals that the treatment resulted in a 22.7% increase in the median lifespan of male mice.

The study involved injecting male mice, aged 20 months with a typical lifespan of 840 days, with the blood component extracted from young mice. These injections were administered weekly, and the longest surviving mouse in the study lived up to an impressive 1,266 days, equivalent to 120-130 human years.

Furthermore, the researchers observed that the injections also improved age-related functional decline in various organs such as the hippocampus, muscles, heart, testes, and bones of aged mice. This finding has sparked hope that the research may lead to potential advancements in treating age-related diseases and improving lifelong health in humans.

While the results have been met with enthusiasm among the scientific community, some concerns have been raised. Criticisms regarding the amount of blood required for the treatment and the potential impact on babies have emerged among Chinese readers.

However, lead researcher Zhang Chenyu assured the public that such concerns were "exaggerated misconceptions." He clarified that if the treatment ever comes to fruition, it would be in the form of drugs rather than through direct plasma exchange. Chen added that the study aims to uncover the most potent rejuvenating factors in the blood at the cellular level, with the goal of developing simplified and targeted treatments.

This study builds upon decades of speculation surrounding the effectiveness of blood exchange therapy to reverse the ageing process. While some scientists have already experimented with this approach, its efficacy has long been debated due to a lack of definitive evidence.

The Chinese team of researchers emphasizes that their findings provide valuable insights into the mechanism behind the anti-ageing properties of soluble protein factors in young blood. However, they admit that many scientific questions remain unanswered, including which types of cells in the body produce the identified small extracellular vesicles (sEVs), a key component in the study.

Clinical tests will need to be conducted and trials in large primates, closer to humans, are necessary before any potential treatment can progress. The researchers believe that understanding and intervening in factors that accelerate human ageing will be crucial in ensuring healthier and longer lives as the global population continues to age.

As the international community awaits further advancements in this field, the study from the Chinese scientists represents a significant step forward in the ongoing pursuit of unlocking the secrets of ageing and potentially extending human lifespan.