A new study found that human livers can age up to three years, regardless of a person’s chronological age.

The study, published in Nature Communications, reveals that the liver is one of the organs that ages faster than other parts of the body, and this aging process may affect liver function and increase the risk of liver diseases.

The Study Details

The study, led by Dr. Steve Horvath, a professor of human genetics and biostatistics at the University of California, Los Angeles, looked at the DNA methylation levels of over 13,000 samples from individuals aged between birth and 100 years old.

They found that the liver is one of the organs with the highest correlation between DNA methylation age and chronological age.

According to Dr. Horvath, “Methylation is one of the most important molecular changes that accumulate in the DNA of our cells as we age.

When we studied the methylation pattern of many organs, we found that the liver aged faster than the other organs. The liver’s biological age exceeded the chronological age by three years on average.”.

Why is the Liver Aging Faster?

The liver has a significant role in our metabolism, including detoxifying our blood, producing bile, and storing energy. It is also the first line of defense against infections and toxins entering our body.

These essential functions make the liver more exposed to stress, damage, and inflammation compared to other organs. As a result, the liver has a higher turnover of cells and is more vulnerable to environmental factors, leading to faster aging.

What are the Implications?

The study’s findings have implications for public health, particularly for liver transplantations and liver disease prevention. According to Dr.

Horvath, “Knowing a person’s liver age is a significant step towards predicting the risk of developing liver diseases, and it can be used to optimize the timing and prioritization of liver transplantations.”.

Additionally, identifying liver age could serve as a valuable tool for personalized medicine, as liver aging rates vary across individuals and can be influenced by lifestyle factors such as alcohol consumption and diet.

“Knowing a person’s liver age can help tailor interventions for disease prevention or treatment specific to that individual,” Dr. Horvath said.

Conclusion

The liver is one of the most vital organs in our body. However, it is also one of the organs that age faster than others.

The findings from this study highlight the importance of understanding the liver’s biological age, as it can predict the risk of developing liver diseases and guide personalized interventions for disease prevention and treatment.