A doctor in Spain has discovered a way to lessen the chance of rejection for patients in need of organ transplants.
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Patients undergoing an organ transplant could receive drug cocktails customized and in sync with their own immune systems if a new study, which has passed early trials, is successful, according to Dr. Isabel Portero, founder and chief executive officer of Biohope, a company based in Madrid, Spain.
Kidneys are a common organ transplant, with tens of thousands of people worldwide getting transplants every year. But 30% to 50% of transplanted kidneys are lost within 10 years due to rejection.
Portero’s method uses a simple test which exposes the transplant patient’s immune cells to a battery of immunosuppressant drugs to find out which ones would work best for that particular individual’s immune system. It works much the same as when a doctor sends a blood sample or swab to a lab for analysis, so the right medication can be prescribed for a particular infection, Portero said.
The rise in diabetes in the U.S. has led to a growing need for more kidney and pancreas transplants. About half of all American adults are either prediabetic or diabetic. Between 1990 and 2013, diabetes rates rose by 71 percent in the U.S. In addition, life expectancy has declined in the U.S. for the first time in two decades. and the rise of type 2 diabetes is thought to be a factor.
It may sound like an outlandish science fiction movie, but with the growing need for donated organs for transplants, bioscience facilities are also exploring the possibility of using animal parts and organs for human transplants. And in labs around the world, scientists are experimenting with growing human parts for transplants and using 3-D printers to build full-size, functional organs that could be surgically implanted in the human body.
Since cute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease are the causes of renal malfunction, and both are a direct result of high blood pressure, a few simple lifestyle changes now could help prevent many people from suffering from renal malfunction or organ failure in the future.
By becoming proactive, exercising and eating three or four servings of fruits and vegetables daily, you could lower your blood pressure and cut your prescriptions in half. Eating foods that contain high amounts of free-radical-zapping antioxidants — such as garlic and onions, cabbage and kale, green tea and olive oil — can help detoxify your body, especially your kidneys.
By adopting a healthy lifestyle, you could potentially lower your risk of developing diabetes and the need for a future organ transplant.