Therapeutic plasma exchange, a procedure that filters and replaces the liquid portion of blood, has been gaining attention for its potential to slow the aging process. A 2025 study published in Aging Cell found that this technique could lower biological age by approximately 2.5 years.
According to Andrea Maier, MD, PhD, a geriatrician and board member of the Academy for Health and Lifespan Research, plasma is more than just the liquid surrounding red and white blood cells. It’s a transport system that carries proteins, metabolites, hormones, and inflammatory signals, reflecting and influencing the body’s internal state.
Plasma can capture a wide-angle view of the body’s internal state, also known as biological age. By measuring changes in circulating protein levels, researchers can estimate how well the body is functioning. Keenan Walker, PhD, senior investigator at the National Institute on Aging, notes that people with a biological age older than their chronological age are at greater risk for chronic conditions and mortality.
Read Also: GLP-1 weight-loss drugs linked to sexual health changes
About 15 years ago, researchers began exploring the connection between plasma and aging. This led to experiments using parabiosis, a surgical technique that links the circulatory systems of two organisms. Studies showed that older mice who received younger plasma had more resilience to tissue and organ stress.
This research led to the development of plasma exchange as a treatment for certain autoimmune diseases, neurological disorders, and blood cancers. However, experts say that the study’s potential is not a definitive answer to whether plasma exchange can slow aging.
In the Aging Cell study, researchers enrolled 42 people and exchanged their plasma with purified albumin and saline. Some participants also received immune therapy. While the results showed that some people reduced their biological age by approximately 2.5 years, Dr. Maier points out that this data is from the middle of the study, not the end.
Read Also: Women’s sleep apnea often goes undiagnosed
Dr. Maier notes that the effect was nearly gone by the end of the study, as the body adapts to the major change and biomarkers swing back to their original state. This suggests that the rejuvenation effect may be temporary. Another noteworthy detail is that participants who were less healthy saw a stronger intervention effect, according to Dr. Walker.
Both Dr. Maier and Walker see promise in blood-based interventions but hope for a more personalized approach. Dr. Maier calls this a phase 1 study, emphasizing the need for larger studies to examine the long-term effect. While the concept is grounded in evidence, it’s not suitable for clinical practice due to its rough impact on the body.
Dr. Maier believes that the future of this field is promising, but this study is just the first tiny step. The researchers are cautious about implementing this technique in clinical practice, emphasizing the need for more precise and personalized approaches to improve overall health.
