Genetic test could show 'age' of organs
A simple genetic test could reveal the real “age” of some of our vital organs.
Scientists in the US have discoverd a set of genes whose activity reveals how well the kidneys, heart and muscle are operating, regardless of how old their owner is.
Stuart Kim and his team at the Stanford University Medical Centre, California analysed gene activity in 81 muscle samples from people aged between 16 and 89.
Using a set of 250 genes whose activity goes up or down noticeably with age, they found that genetic profile, rather than a person’s age in years, more accurately showed how fit they were.
One 64-year-old had muscles like those of someone 30 years younger and also showed gene activity patterns similar to a younger person.
The iscovery, eported in the Public Library of Science-Genetics, could eventually be used to find healthy organs for transplants from unexpected donors.
