Plasma Transfusions for Healthy Ageing: Myth or Reality?

Abstract

Over the past century, life expectancy has risen markedly in Western societies. While lifespan has increased, prolonged life does not necessarily coincide with prolonged health. Among the strategies under investigation to counteract age-related decline, transfusions of plasma from young donors into older recipients have attracted both scientific and public interest. This article reviews the historical origins, experimental evidence, and translational challenges of heterochronic parabiosis and plasma exchange and plasma transfusion. In particular, the translational aspects of parabiosis will be discussed, as it appears to be highly informative for identifying circulating molecules that either drive or delay aging. We discuss the scientific basis, potential mechanisms, and ethical as well as regulatory implications of these practices. Ultimately, lifestyle factors remain the most powerful determinant of healthy ageing, without relying on purported miracle interventions.