Proof in a mouse model, that replacing damaged albumin with new albumin EXTENDS lifespan.
From an exchange with the author, she confirmed that donating blood does indeed result in NEW albumin creation (my archive)
Young and Undamaged rMSA Improves the Healthspan and Lifespan of Mice (2021)
The healthspan and lifespan of C57BL/6N mice were significantly improved by rMSA (recombinant mouse serum albumin). The rMSA used in this study is young and almost undamaged. We define the concept “young and undamaged” to any protein without any unnecessary modifications by four parameters: intact free thiol (if any), no carbonylation, no advanced glycation end-product, and no homocysteinylation. Undamaged proteins altogether can further improve the healthspan and lifespan of mice
Human serum albumin is the most abundant protein in blood plasma with a serum half-life of about 21 days. Damages or unnecessary modifications of HSA are related to many pathological conditions and increase with age. Firstly, the single free thiol in Cys-34 residue of HSA has been proposed to account for approximately 80% of the total free thiols in plasma, whose oxidation is intimately linked with aging and age-related diseases. Secondly, in oxidative environments, carbonyls are also formed especially on the side chains of Pro, Arg, Lys and Thr residues in proteins. Elevated carbonyl levels in HSA have been found to be related to aging and varieties of diseases. Thirdly, the AGE accumulation of HSA is another important factor found to be involved in aging. It is widely reported that AGE formation impairs normal functions of albumin and can induce inflammatory responses, which is connected with aging and the progression of serious diseases. Fourthly, it has been widely reported that homocysteine (Hcy) increases with age and is associated with agerelated degenerative disorders. HSA is a major target for homocysteinylation, thus it can efficiently protect other proteins from the toxicity of Hcy.
In 2014, Wyss-Coray group reported that plasma from young mice can improve the learning and memory of old mice. Since albumin occupies about 50% of total plasma proteins, it most likely plays the most important role in this process, which was exactly what we found here. In order to achieve the maximal effect of rMSA on longevity, a variety of measures including optimal dosage, frequency, and drug delivery methods are being investigated. We predict that the concept of young and undamaged albumin increasing the longevity can also be applied to any other proteins such as immunoglobulins, fibrinogen, transferrin, transthyretin, and haptoglobin which are major plasma proteins. If so, the combination of young and undamaged major plasma proteins can further increase the longevity. Ideally, all of the young and undamaged plasma proteins altogether can increase he longevity to the largest extent.
