Latest news with #CirculateHealth
Associated Press
28-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Circulate Health Publishes Results of Multiomics Study Demonstrating Impact of Therapeutic Plasma Exchange on Biological Age in Aging Cell
First-of-its kind trial shows that therapeutic plasma exchange combined with intravenous immunoglobulin reduced biological age on average by 2.6 years, as measured by multi-omics biomarkers NOVATO, Calif., May 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Circulate Health, the company dedicated to harnessing the potential of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) to advance human healthspan and lifespan, today announces the publication of a single blind, human clinical trial in Aging Cell. This groundbreaking study, led by researchers from Circulate and the Buck Institute for Research on Aging provides promising early data on the impact of TPE on biological age, supporting its potential for new disease and longevity applications. 'Unfortunately, most so-called 'longevity interventions' lack proven effectiveness in humans. By conducting clinical trials, we aim to change that—this study marks the first step in demonstrating that plasma exchange can significantly improve key mechanisms of biological aging,' commented Dr. David Furman, senior author of the Aging Cell paper. Therapeutic plasma exchange is a procedure that separates, removes, and replaces patient plasma to treat certain diseases. Multi-omics Analysis Reveals Biomarkers that Contribute to Biological Age Rejuvenation in Response to Therapeutic Plasma Exchange, investigated how TPE impacts biomarkers associated with biological age, including changes across the epigenome, proteome, metabolome, glycome, and immune system, alongside physical measures like balance and strength. Research participants were assigned one of four different treatment groups: 1) biweekly TPE, 2) biweekly TPE with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) 3) monthly TPE or 4) a control group. The study found: 'This is the first interventional multi-omics study to examine the effectiveness of therapeutic plasma exchange modalities,' said Brad Younggren, MD, CEO and Co-founder of Circulate. 'Our findings show that plasma exchange and intravenous immunoglobulin are a powerful tool for biological age rejuvenation and provide compelling evidence that targeted plasma interventions can impact age-related molecular changes.' 'In this study, we examined thousands of molecular signatures to pinpoint key drivers of rejuvenation. Our characterization builds a better understanding of which baseline biomarkers are predictive of treatment response and lays a foundation upon which we can build personalized intervention plans for patients in the future,' said Eric Verdin, MD, President and CEO of the Buck Institute and Co-founder of Circulate. 'We are excited to expand our research to larger populations, increase access to these treatments for eligible patients, and continue to identify areas of unmet need where these therapies can make a meaningful difference.' Clinicians can learn more about Circulate at About Circulate Health Backed by Khosla Ventures, Circulate Health is pioneering technologies to reverse aging and improve health outcomes. About Buck Institute Our success will ultimately change healthcare. At the Buck, we aim to end the threat of age-related diseases for this and future generations by bringing together the most capable and passionate scientists from a broad range of disciplines to identify and impede the ways in which we age. An independent, nonprofit institution, our goal is to increase human healthspan, or the healthy years of life. Globally recognized as the pioneer and leader in efforts to target aging, the number one risk factor serious diseases including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, cancer, macular degeneration, heart disease, and diabetes, the Buck wants to help people live better longer. Learn more at: View original content: SOURCE Circulate Health
New York Times
28-05-2025
- Health
- New York Times
Could Plasma Exchange Therapy Actually Help You Live Longer?
Cars need oil changes to keep their engines running smoothly. Some anti-aging influencers, along with a handful of scientists, believe exchanging the plasma in your blood can do a similar thing for humans to help slow biological aging. The procedure is currently offered for thousands of dollars a session at many longevity clinics. In a car, 'you change the oil every 3,000 miles because it clears out debris," said Dr. Eric Verdin, the president and chief executive of the Buck Institute for Research on Aging. Your blood, he said, can also accumulate potentially damaging particles that can be flushed out. One of the first trials examining plasma exchange for anti-aging in humans, published Tuesday in the journal Aging Cell, offers early evidence that it may be able to slow the biological breakdown that comes with age, even in otherwise healthy people. The small study of 42 participants, with an average age of 65, found that those who got plasma exchange therapy over the course of a few months had lower concentrations in their blood of the biological compounds that accumulate with age, compared with a control group. The trial was sponsored by Circulate Health, a plasma exchange startup, and coauthored by Dr. Verdin, a company co-founder and head of the scientific advisory board. Still, many other scientists who study plasma exchange are skeptical. Its anti-aging benefits for healthy people have 'never been proven" in large clinical trials, said Dr. Katayoun Fomani, an associate professor and medical director of the blood bank at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and drawing blood and replacing plasma with added fluids could put patients at risk for unnecessary medical complications without a clear payoff. How does the procedure work? Plasma exchange is a well-established treatment for certain blood disorders, autoimmune diseases and neurological conditions, and it's typically covered by insurance when deemed medically necessary. It is not covered for anti-aging purposes. During the therapy, a provider — typically a registered nurse or a technician — hooks the patient up to a machine that draws out blood. The machine separates and discards the plasma from the blood, replaces it with donor plasma or a substitute fluid, then returns the blood back to the patient. The substitute fluid often contains a mixture of saline and proteins, like albumin; in some cases, an infusion of antibodies or drugs may also be added to boost the immune system or fight certain diseases. Each session typically takes a couple of hours. Hospitals and medical centers use plasma exchange to remove particles that hasten a disease's progression, such as the antibodies that attack a patient's nervous system in multiple sclerosis. But proponents of the procedure for improving health span and life span say it can be used as a preventive measure, to remove the inflammatory antibodies and proteins that may drive biological aging (the deterioration of cells and tissues). Plasma therapy is one of several different experimental longevity procedures that involve blood transfers, including platelet-rich plasma treatment, which concentrates and injects a patient's own blood into injured areas; and a treatment where a young donor's blood is transfused into an older recipient. What does the science show? Most of the research into the anti-aging benefits of plasma exchange has been done on animals, so the findings don't necessarily carry over to humans, said Dr. Caroline Alquist, the co-director of the Hoxworth Blood Center at the University of Cincinnati. One 2020 study on mice, for instance, found that replacing some of the animals' blood plasma with saline and albumin, a protein believed to bind to and help remove harmful molecules, appeared to reverse biological markers of aging, especially within the brain, liver and muscle tissues. Until now, the research in humans has focused on patients who already have an age-related disease. In one trial of nearly 350 Alzheimer's patients, those undergoing plasma therapy over about 14 months saw slower or more stable cognitive decline than those who received a placebo treatment. Some early studies also suggest that plasma therapy may improve survival rates for people with liver disease. In the Circulate Health trial, one group of subjects received an albumin infusion every few weeks or so; another group got the same infusion plus an antibody to fight infections; and a control group got only saline. Researchers used dozens of biological age tests to measure subjects' blood several times during the full three-to-six-month regimen. They estimated that the albumin and antibody group decreased their biological age by about 2.6 years, while those on the albumin regimen saw a roughly one-year reduction. People who received only saline generally saw their biological age increase over the course of the trial. What are the open questions? While the Circulate Health study is 'intriguing,' and suggests that plasma exchange appears to affect subjects' blood composition even after the procedure, it doesn't necessarily mean that it will help people live longer or healthier, said Dr. Jeffrey Winters, the chair of transfusion medicine at the Mayo Clinic. He said the trial was too small to prove anti-aging benefits; it also didn't follow subjects for more than a few months, so it's not clear how long the effects of plasma exchange last. In the study, the authors hypothesized that treatments could get less effective over time as the body adjusts to the infusions. (The subjects typically didn't show much difference in biological age after the third measurement, compared with the control, suggesting that the impact of the therapy could level off.) It's also not clear if the findings are a direct result of the treatment or if they were influenced by some other confounding factor, like the profile of the subjects, who were healthy patients in the Bay Area and recruited by Circulate Health, added Dr. Zbigniew M. Szczepiorkowski, a professor of pathology and laboratory medicine at Dartmouth Health. Finally, while plasma exchange is a relatively safe medical procedure, it does bring risks, Dr. Winters said: The machine could fail, damaging red blood cells and inducing anemia in the patient, among other hazards. Though longevity clinics primarily use saline and albumin, donor plasma could also carry an infection over to the patient. 'Especially given the absence of evidence in the literature,' Dr. Winters said, the benefit for using plasma exchange for longevity 'really isn't there.'
CNET
16-05-2025
- Health
- CNET
Ziploc, Rubbermaid Sued for Microplastics Exposure. Are Plastic Food Containers Safe to Use?
Newell Brands, the maker of Rubbermaid, is facing a class action lawsuit for its claims that the plastic-based containers are "microwave safe" and "freezer safe." The complaint alleges that despite the products' marketing, they can release microplastics into food when used as directed. Ziploc was hit with a similar class action lawsuit earlier this week. Ziploc storage bags are made from polyethylene and polypropylene. These types of plastics are known to release microplastics into foods when exposed to extreme temperatures, something that is not mentioned on Ziploc's packaging. "Repeated exposure to extreme temperatures -- cold or hot -- stresses plastic materials and can lead to the breakdown of their surface layers, releasing tiny plastic particles into food," said Brad Younggren of Circulate Health. When you microwave food in plastic, the heat accelerates how much microplastics leach into the food. "Similarly, freezing and thawing cycles can cause structural degradation that also encourages microplastic release, not unlike how freezing temperatures crack pavement in winter," Younggren said. The misrepresentation of plastic products and the lack of disclosure have exposed millions of families to ingesting microplastics. The average person intakes between 39,000 and 52,000 microplastic particles each year, and that number increases to 120,000 when airborne particles are accounted for. There's no established "safe" or "unsafe" level of microplastic consumption, which is why it's important to know where microplastics come from and how to reduce ingestion. What's the deal with microplastics? Microplastics have long been a topic of conversation, mainly because they're important environmental pollutants. But these tiny plastic fragments don't just negatively impact the earth; they have potentially health impacts, too. Some days, it feels like we're regularly discovering a surprisingly high amount of microplastics lurking in our bodies. Scientists recently found high concentrations of microplastics in the brains of cadavers. While the US Food & Drug administration says scientific evidence doesn't suggest that the amount of microplastics in foods is a risk to our health, not all doctors are convinced. Microplastics located in the blood vessels have been linked to a higher risk of heart attack and stroke. Research has also found tissue inflammation, cell death and lung and liver impacts because of microplastics. That said, there's still plenty we don't know about the effects of microplastics. What we do know is that microplastics are everywhere. They're in the burned-down plastic spoon you should have thrown away years ago or the plastic-wrapped foods at the grocery store. However, it's not just how we package our foods. Microplastics can enter our food through soil and water contamination where they're grown. Since microplastics touch so many areas of our lives (did I mention they're also in the synthetic fibers of our clothing?), it can feel challenging to outrun them completely. While there's no established safe or unsafe level of microplastic consumption, most of us want to minimize our contact with them as much as possible. How can I limit my microplastic intake? This news doesn't automatically mean that plastic storage containers aren't safe to use. They remain one of the most affordable and convenient options for many families. However, it's not a bad idea to avoid freezing and microwaving them in the future. If you want to limit your family's consumption of microplastics even further, it's best to minimize your use of plastic in the kitchen. Remember, microplastics aren't just in plastic bags or containers. Top places microplastics lurk in your kitchen: Nonstick cookware Plastic cooking utensils Tea bags Plastic straws Canned food lining Plastic cutting boards So you should probably stop using Ziploc bags to freeze and microwave your food. But where does that leave you? Younggren suggested opting for non-plastic alternatives when you can. "We recommend microwave-safe glass containers as safer options," Younggren said. Glass containers are more stable under temperature stress, so the risk of microplastic contamination is lower. There are things you can do beyond changing how you store your food. You can opt for wood cutting boards instead of plastic, or use loose tea leaves or cook in cast iron. You'd probably be surprised by how much plastic is in your kitchen. A good rule of thumb when cooking is to note how often your food comes into contact with plastic. It's difficult to cut it entirely out of your life, though any strides you can make will reduce your microplastic intake.
CNET
16-05-2025
- Health
- CNET
Ziploc and Rubbermaid Sued for Microplastics. Are Plastic Food Containers Safe to Use?
Newell Brands, the maker of Rubbermaid, is facing a class action lawsuit for its claims that the plastic-based containers are "microwave safe" and "freezer safe." The complaint alleges that despite the products' marketing, they can release microplastics into food when used as directed. Ziploc was hit with a similar class action lawsuit earlier this week. Ziploc storage bags are made from polyethylene and polypropylene. These types of plastics are known to release microplastics into foods when exposed to extreme temperatures, something that is not mentioned on Ziploc's packaging. "Repeated exposure to extreme temperatures -- cold or hot -- stresses plastic materials and can lead to the breakdown of their surface layers, releasing tiny plastic particles into food," said Brad Younggren of Circulate Health. When you microwave food in plastic, the heat accelerates how much microplastics leach into the food. "Similarly, freezing and thawing cycles can cause structural degradation that also encourages microplastic release, not unlike how freezing temperatures crack pavement in winter," Younggren said. The misrepresentation of plastic products and the lack of disclosure have exposed millions of families to ingesting microplastics. The average person intakes between 39,000 and 52,000 microplastic particles each year, and that number increases to 120,000 when airborne particles are accounted for. There's no established "safe" or "unsafe" level of microplastic consumption, which is why it's important to know where microplastics come from and how to reduce ingestion. What's the deal with microplastics? Microplastics have long been a topic of conversation, mainly because they're important environmental pollutants. But these tiny plastic fragments don't just negatively impact the earth; they have potentially health impacts too. Some days, it feels like we're regularly discovering a surprisingly high amount of microplastics lurking in our bodies. Scientists recently found a spoon's worth of microplastics in the cadaver brains. While the US Food & Drug administration says scientific evidence doesn't suggest that the amount of microplastics in foods is a risk to our health, not all doctors are convinced. Microplastics located in the blood vessels have been linked to a higher risk of heart attack and stroke. Research has also found tissue inflammation, cell death and lung and liver impacts because of microplastics. That said, there's still plenty we don't know about the effects of microplastics. What we do know is that microplastics are everywhere. They're in the burned-down plastic spoon you should have thrown away years ago or the plastic-wrapped foods at the grocery store. However, it's not just how we package our foods. Microplastics can enter our food through soil and water contamination where they're grown. Since microplastics touch so many areas of our lives (did I mention they're also in the synthetic fibers of our clothing?), it can feel challenging to outrun them completely. While there's no established safe or unsafe level of microplastic consumption, most of us want to minimize our contact with them as much as possible. How can I limit my microplastic intake? This news doesn't automatically mean that plastic storage containers aren't safe to use. They remain one of the most affordable and convenient options for many families. However, it's not a bad idea to avoid freezing and microwaving them in the future. If you want to limit your family's consumption of microplastics even further, it's best to minimize your use of plastic in the kitchen. Remember, microplastics aren't just in plastic bags or containers. Top places microplastics lurk in your kitchen: Nonstick cookware Plastic cooking utensils Tea bags Plastic straws Canned food lining Plastic cutting boards So you should probably stop using Ziploc bags to freeze and microwave your food. But where does that leave you? Younggren suggested opting for non-plastic alternatives when you can. "We recommend microwave-safe glass containers as safer options," Younggren said. Glass containers are more stable under temperature stress, so the risk of microplastic contamination is lower. There are things you can do beyond changing how you store your food. You can opt for wood cutting boards instead of plastic, or use loose tea leaves or cook in cast iron. You'd probably be surprised by how much plastic is in your kitchen. A good rule of thumb when cooking is to note how often your food comes into contact with plastic. It's difficult to cut it entirely out of your life, though any strides you can make will reduce your microplastic intake.
CNET
12-05-2025
- Health
- CNET
Ziploc Faces a Class Action Lawsuit for Undisclosed Microplastic Risk. What You Need to Know
I've got a box of Ziploc bags in my cabinet, and I'm looking at them completely differently now that S.C. Johnson, the maker of Ziploc, is facing a class action lawsuit. The lawsuit says that the marketing that Ziploc storage bags are "suitable for freezer use" and "microwave safe" is misleading because the bags are made from polyethylene and polypropylene. These types of plastics are known to release microplastics into foods when exposed to extreme temperatures, something that is not mentioned on Ziploc's packaging. "Repeated exposure to extreme temperatures -- cold or hot -- stresses plastic materials and can lead to the breakdown of their surface layers, releasing tiny plastic particles into food," said Brad Younggren of Circulate Health. When you microwave food in plastic, the heat accelerates how much microplastics leach into the food. "Similarly, freezing and thawing cycles can cause structural degradation that also encourages microplastic release, not unlike how freezing temperatures crack pavement in winter," Younggren said. According to the lawsuit, Ziploc bags are "fundamentally unfit" to be used in the way they're advertised. The average person intakes between 39,000 and 52,000 microplastic particles each year, and that number increases to 120,000 when airborne particles are accounted for. There's no established "safe" or "unsafe" level of microplastic consumption, which is why it's important to know where microplastics come from and how to reduce ingestion. What's the deal with microplastics? Microplastics have long been a topic of conversation, mainly because they're important environmental pollutants. But these tiny plastic fragments don't just negatively impact the earth; they have potentially health impacts too. Some days, it feels like we're regularly discovering a surprisingly high amount of microplastics lurking in our bodies. Scientists recently found a spoon's worth of microplastics in the cadaver brains. While the US Food & Drug administration says scientific evidence doesn't suggest that the amount of microplastics in foods is a risk to our health, not all doctors are convinced. Microplastics located in the blood vessels have been linked to a higher risk of heart attack and stroke. Research has also found tissue inflammation, cell death and lung and liver impacts because of microplastics. That said, there's still plenty we don't know about the effects of microplastics. What we do know is that microplastics are everywhere. They're in the burned-down plastic spoon you should have thrown away years ago or the plastic-wrapped foods at the grocery store. However, it's not just how we package our foods. Microplastics can enter our food through soil and water contamination where they're grown. Since microplastics touch so many areas of our lives (did I mention they're also in the synthetic fibers of our clothing?), it can feel challenging to outrun them completely. While there's no established safe or unsafe level of microplastic consumption, most of us want to minimize our contact with them as much as possible. How can I limit my microplastic use? The best way to limit your family's consumption of microplastics is to minimize your use of plastic in the kitchen. Remember, microplastics aren't just in plastic bags. Top places microplastics lurk in your kitchen: Nonstick cookware Plastic cooking utensils Tea bags Plastic straws Canned food lining Plastic cutting boards So you should probably stop using Ziploc bags to freeze and microwave your food. But where does that leave you? Younggren suggested opting for non-plastic alternatives when you can. "We recommend microwave-safe glass containers as safer options," Younggren said. Glass containers are more stable under temperature stress, so the risk of microplastic contamination is lower. There are things you can do beyond changing how you store your food. You can opt for wood cutting boards instead of plastic, or use loose tea leaves or cook in cast iron. You'd probably be surprised by how much plastic is in your kitchen. A good rule of thumb when cooking is to note how often your food comes into contact with plastic. It's difficult to cut it entirely out of your life, though any strides you can make will reduce your microplastic intake.
