New lease of life for old organs

ORGANS from older donors could be rejuvenated for transplant by making them “younger”, according to research.

Anti-ageing drugs can turn back the clock on hearts, livers, kidneys and lungs – dramatically increasing the available pool, say scientists.

Corresponding author Dr Stefan Tullius, chief of the Division of Transplant Surgery at Brigham andWomen’s Hospital in the US, said: “If we can utilise older organs in a safe way with outcomes that are comparable, we will take a substantial step forward for helping patients.”

There are currently around 6,000 people on the UK Transplant Waiting List.

Dr Tullius’s team are investigating a new class of drugs, known as senolytics, which eliminate old cells in organs which reduces levels of rejection.