Human clinical trial of plasmapheresis effects on biomarkers of aging (efficacy and safety trial)
Abstract Plasmapheresis is a medical procedure that separates plasma from blood cells, potentially removing pro-aging factors from circulation. Some studies suggest it may have rejuvenating effects by altering biomarkers of aging, but evidence on its impact on epigenetic aging in humans is limited....
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Nature Portfolio
2025-07-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-05396-0 |
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| author | Pavel Borsky Drahomira Holmannova Helena Parova Steve Horvath Petr Sramek Robert T. Brooke Milda Milciute Juozas Gordevicius Zdenek Fiala Ctirad Andrys Jan Kremlacek Vit Rehacek Ivana Baranova Natalia Matyasovska Lenka Borska |
| author_facet | Pavel Borsky Drahomira Holmannova Helena Parova Steve Horvath Petr Sramek Robert T. Brooke Milda Milciute Juozas Gordevicius Zdenek Fiala Ctirad Andrys Jan Kremlacek Vit Rehacek Ivana Baranova Natalia Matyasovska Lenka Borska |
| author_sort | Pavel Borsky |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Plasmapheresis is a medical procedure that separates plasma from blood cells, potentially removing pro-aging factors from circulation. Some studies suggest it may have rejuvenating effects by altering biomarkers of aging, but evidence on its impact on epigenetic aging in humans is limited. This study aimed to assess whether plasmapheresis without volume replacement with young plasma or albumin affects epigenetic age and other biomarkers in healthy adults. An automatic plasma collection system, the Haemonetics PCS2, was used for plasmapheresis. Healthy blood donors were divided into two groups using stratified randomization in a cross-over study with subjects undergoing either 8 plasmaphereses (8 pp) or 4 plasmaphereses (4 pp) for an 18-week period, with a minimum interval between plasmaphereses of 2 weeks (14 days). Samples were tested for biochemical, hematological analyses and epigenetic clocks. We documented the alteration in serum minerals, decreased serum lipids, mainly total cholesterol, non-HDL, triglycerides, apolipoprotein A levels, total proteins and albumin. Among hematologic parameters, we found an increase in Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW) and Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC). No significant epigenetic rejuvenation was observed based on epigenetic clock measurements. Instead, plasmapheresis was associated with increases in DNAmGrimAge, the Hannum clock, and the Dunedin Pace of Aging. Plasmapheresis can rapidly change the levels of pro-inflammatory and other pro-aging molecules in the circulation. However, the selected protocol has not provided conclusive data supporting benefits. Based on epigenetic clock parameters, it may accelerate epigenetic aging. More research into the long-term safety of this specific protocol is needed. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-f30c5437c97e435cb542eeb4f9ea0680 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
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| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-f30c5437c97e435cb542eeb4f9ea06802025-08-20T04:01:36ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111510.1038/s41598-025-05396-0Human clinical trial of plasmapheresis effects on biomarkers of aging (efficacy and safety trial)Pavel Borsky0Drahomira Holmannova1Helena Parova2Steve Horvath3Petr Sramek4Robert T. Brooke5Milda Milciute6Juozas Gordevicius7Zdenek Fiala8Ctirad Andrys9Jan Kremlacek10Vit Rehacek11Ivana Baranova12Natalia Matyasovska13Lenka Borska14Department of Preventive Medicine, Institute Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Kralove, Charles UniversityDepartment of Preventive Medicine, Institute Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Kralove, Charles UniversityDepartment of Clinical Biochemistry and Diagnostics, University Hospital Hradec Kralove and Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Kralove, Charles UniversityEpigenetic Clock Development FoundationHealthyLongevity.Clinic Inc.Epigenetic Clock Development FoundationEpigenetic Clock Development FoundationEpigenetic Clock Development FoundationDepartment of Preventive Medicine, Institute Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Kralove, Charles UniversityDepartment of Clinical Immunology and Allergology, University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Kralove, Charles UniversityDepartment of Medical Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Kralove, Charles UniversityTransfusion Department, University Hospital Hradec KraloveDepartment of Clinical Biochemistry and Diagnostics, University Hospital Hradec Kralove and Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Kralove, Charles UniversityDepartment of Clinical Biochemistry and Diagnostics, University Hospital Hradec Kralove and Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Kralove, Charles UniversityDepartment of Preventive Medicine, Institute Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Kralove, Charles UniversityAbstract Plasmapheresis is a medical procedure that separates plasma from blood cells, potentially removing pro-aging factors from circulation. Some studies suggest it may have rejuvenating effects by altering biomarkers of aging, but evidence on its impact on epigenetic aging in humans is limited. This study aimed to assess whether plasmapheresis without volume replacement with young plasma or albumin affects epigenetic age and other biomarkers in healthy adults. An automatic plasma collection system, the Haemonetics PCS2, was used for plasmapheresis. Healthy blood donors were divided into two groups using stratified randomization in a cross-over study with subjects undergoing either 8 plasmaphereses (8 pp) or 4 plasmaphereses (4 pp) for an 18-week period, with a minimum interval between plasmaphereses of 2 weeks (14 days). Samples were tested for biochemical, hematological analyses and epigenetic clocks. We documented the alteration in serum minerals, decreased serum lipids, mainly total cholesterol, non-HDL, triglycerides, apolipoprotein A levels, total proteins and albumin. Among hematologic parameters, we found an increase in Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW) and Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC). No significant epigenetic rejuvenation was observed based on epigenetic clock measurements. Instead, plasmapheresis was associated with increases in DNAmGrimAge, the Hannum clock, and the Dunedin Pace of Aging. Plasmapheresis can rapidly change the levels of pro-inflammatory and other pro-aging molecules in the circulation. However, the selected protocol has not provided conclusive data supporting benefits. Based on epigenetic clock parameters, it may accelerate epigenetic aging. More research into the long-term safety of this specific protocol is needed.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-05396-0PlasmapheresisAgingEpigenetic clockBiomarkers |
| spellingShingle | Pavel Borsky Drahomira Holmannova Helena Parova Steve Horvath Petr Sramek Robert T. Brooke Milda Milciute Juozas Gordevicius Zdenek Fiala Ctirad Andrys Jan Kremlacek Vit Rehacek Ivana Baranova Natalia Matyasovska Lenka Borska Human clinical trial of plasmapheresis effects on biomarkers of aging (efficacy and safety trial) Scientific Reports Plasmapheresis Aging Epigenetic clock Biomarkers |
| title | Human clinical trial of plasmapheresis effects on biomarkers of aging (efficacy and safety trial) |
| title_full | Human clinical trial of plasmapheresis effects on biomarkers of aging (efficacy and safety trial) |
| title_fullStr | Human clinical trial of plasmapheresis effects on biomarkers of aging (efficacy and safety trial) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Human clinical trial of plasmapheresis effects on biomarkers of aging (efficacy and safety trial) |
| title_short | Human clinical trial of plasmapheresis effects on biomarkers of aging (efficacy and safety trial) |
| title_sort | human clinical trial of plasmapheresis effects on biomarkers of aging efficacy and safety trial |
| topic | Plasmapheresis Aging Epigenetic clock Biomarkers |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-05396-0 |
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