Daijiworld Media Network – Dresden

Dresden, Aug 4: While humans continue their age-old quest for eternal youth, it turns out one vital organ has already cracked the code — the liver. A groundbreaking international study has revealed that the human liver remains biologically youthful throughout life, maintaining an average age of just under three years, whether the person is 20 or 80.

The research, led by scientists at the Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD) at TU Dresden, and published in Cell Systems, found that the liver constantly renews itself, keeping it “forever young.” Despite its exposure to harmful toxins and frequent injury, the liver’s remarkable ability to regenerate plays a key role in this youthful state.

“Some studies pointed to liver cells being long-lived, while others indicated continuous turnover,” explained Dr. Olaf Bergmann, the lead researcher. “We needed to directly assess the age of human liver cells to solve this mystery.”

The team studied liver tissues from individuals aged between 20 and 84 and discovered a surprising uniformity — regardless of the person’s age, their liver cells averaged just under three years old.

However, not all cells in the liver are equally young. A small population, rich in DNA, can live up to a decade. These cells carry extra sets of chromosomes — sometimes four or eight — and renew themselves at a much slower rate.

“Typical liver cells renew once a year, but those with more DNA can stay for 10 years,” said Dr Bergmann. “This might be a protective feature to avoid dangerous mutations as we age. It raises fascinating questions about liver diseases and their connection to this renewal process.”

The study not only sheds light on the liver’s regenerative superpower but also opens new avenues for research into chronic liver conditions and cancer. As Dr. Bergmann concluded, “Studying human cell renewal is tough, but it offers unmatched insights into how our organs age and heal.”