The life expectancy of elderly people has dramatically increased in the past few decades.  However, many older people do not get the most out of their increased lifespan due to illnesses including cancer, osteoarthritis, heart disease and dementia.

New research from scientists at the Weill Cornell Medical College has found that the transplantation of young blood vessels can rejuvenate aged stem cells in mice, boosting older blood system function.  This discovery may lead to treatments that improve the health of older people and help them fight off certain diseases.

Scientists have already discovered that the human body goes through many changes as it ages.  The risk of certain diseases also increases, including blood cancers, heart diseases, and arthritis. 

One of the major changes that occurs as people age is a reduction in the performance of the blood system.  Unfortunately, this is a serious problem as the blood system is responsible for delivering immune cells, oxygen and energy to the body.  If it is not performing well, an older person has a much lower quality of life and is more likely to get sick.

The declining performance of the blood system is one of the reasons why older people are more likely to get blood cancer and regularly suffer from infections.

Researchers have tried using bone marrow transplants to improve the performance of the blood system in older people, but there are many complications associated with this type of procedure.

Scientists began looking at how they could change endothelial cells to improve the blood system.  Endothelial cells are the cells that line the line the blood vessels.  Previously, they were seen as a passive conduit for blood, but researcher now understand that they help to sustain blood stem cells and play a role in organ regeneration.

Blood vessel cells help blood stem cells develop while in the bone marrow.  They also help stem cells travel around the body to areas which need to be regenerated.

This study found that transplanting young blood vessels can improve how a person’s stem cells work.  They believe that this procedure will help patients who are undergoing medically induced stress in the form of chemotherapy or radiation treatments.  Having access to young endothelial cells may also help to protect organs, including the liver and spleen.

Source: How rejuvenation of stem cells could lead to healthier aging

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