World's First Pig Kidney Transplant Patient Dies

On May 11, local time, Massachusetts General Hospital in the United States issued a statement saying that the world's first living pig kidney transplant patient died of illness at the age of 62. At this time, it was less than two months (about 7 weeks) before the transplant surgery.

Click to Cistanche for kidney disease

The hospital did not disclose the specific time and cause of death. Its statement noted that there was no indication that the death was related to the recent transplant. Previously, the surgical team had believed that the transplanted pig kidney could work in the patient's body for at least two years.

The family is deeply saddened by his sudden death, "but (we) take great comfort in knowing that he inspired many people."

According to public information, there have been 4 reports of living donor transplantation of large organs from gene-edited pigs in the world so far, including 2 cases of pig heart transplantation and 2 cases of pig kidney transplantation. Currently, only the female patient who received a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) combined with pig kidney transplant has not reported any death. The operation was completed in April this year.

After a living pig kidney transplant in March 2024, patient Richard Slayman (second from right) took a group photo with the surgical team. Source/Massachusetts General Hospital 

or die from heart problems

Richard Slayman is the first patient in the world to receive a living donor pig kidney transplant. He has type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. These are common causes of chronic kidney disease.

In December 2018, Slimane underwent a homogeneous kidney transplant, that is, the kidney donor was from a human. A few years later, the transplanted kidney showed signs of failure. After resuming dialysis in May 2023, Slimane repeatedly suffered serious complications such as blood clots, which prompted the Massachusetts General Hospital team to propose a "pig kidney transplant" plan. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the transplant under "compassionate use" rules. This means the patient has a "serious or life-threatening disease or condition" for which no other effective treatment is available.

Prior to Slimane, according to an article in "Organ Transplantation" in March this year, many cases of pig kidney transplantation for brain-dead patients have been completed around the world, and the results all indicate that pig kidneys survive well in the short term. After him, the Qin Weijun team at Xijing Hospital of the Air Force Medical University also performed a pig kidney transplant on a brain-dead patient. The transplanted kidney can continue to work and produce urine normally after surgery.

According to a statement from Massachusetts General Hospital, the pig kidneys provided to Slayman underwent 69 gene edits. "Ten of them are one of the standard protocols, including knocking out rejection-related genes, adding human complement inhibitor genes, anticoagulant genes, etc., with the purpose of improving the compatibility of pig organs with the human body." Pan, founder of Chengdu Zhongke Aoge Biotechnology Professor Denko told the "medical community" that dozens of other edits were made to eliminate, among other things, porcine endogenous retroviruses in the donor pigs.

The cause of Slayman's death is unknown as of publication of this article. "China Science News" quoted Chen Zhonghua, professor at the Organ Transplantation Institute of Tongji Hospital of Huazhong University of Science and Technology and chief consultant of Tongji Hospital's Organ Procurement Organization (OPO), as saying that transplant kidney failure caused by rejection can at least be ruled out.

According to Chen Zhonghua, the surgical team learned that Slimane died of a heart attack on May 6. "Unfortunately, although the patient 'survived' the stages of ultra-acute rejection of xenotransplantation, perioperative risks, infection and early recovery, he failed to 'survive' the heart problems that may be caused by a variety of comprehensive factors. "

The latter may be related to postoperative medication. The aforementioned "Organ Transplantation" article pointed out that compared with homologous organ transplantation, pig-to-human xenotransplantation will use non-traditional immunosuppressive regimens, most of which are based on "compassionate use" rules. These regimens may increase the risk of postoperative cardiovascular events. Previous studies have pointed out that erythropoietin produced by pig kidneys does not work in the human body and may cause anemia in humans.

How Does Cistanche Treat Kidney Disease?

Cistanche is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine used for centuries to treat various health conditions, including kidney disease. It is derived from the dried stems of Cistanche deserticola, a plant native to the deserts of China and Mongolia. The main active components of cistanche are phenylethanoid glycosides, echinacoside, and acteoside, which have been found to have beneficial effects on kidney health.

Kidney disease, also known as renal disease, refers to a condition in which the kidneys are not functioning properly. This can result in a buildup of waste products and toxins in the body, leading to various symptoms and complications. Cistanche may help treat kidney disease ase through several mechanisms.

Firstly, cistanche has been found to have diuretic properties, meaning it can increase urine production and help eliminate waste products from the body. This can help relieve the burden on the kidneys and prevent the buildup of toxins. By promoting diuresis, cistanche may also help Reduce high blood pressure, a common complication of kidney disease.

Moreover, cistanche has been shown to have antioxidant effects. Oxidative stress, caused by an imbalance between the production of free radicals and the body's antioxidant defenses, plays a key role in the progression of kidney disease. ies help neutralize free radicals and reduce Oxidative stress, thereby protecting the kidneys from damage. The phenylethanoid glycosides found in cistanche have been particularly effective in scavenging free radicals and inhibiting lipid peroxidation.

Additionally, cistanche has been found to have anti-inflammatory effects. Inflammation is another key factor in the development and progression of kidney disease. Cistanche's anti-inflammatory properties help reduce the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and inhibit the activation of inflammation mandatory pathways, thus alleviating inflammation in the kidneys.

Furthermore, cistanche has been shown to have immunomodulatory effects. In kidney disease, the immune system can be dysregulated, leading to excessive inflammation and tissue damage. Cistanche helps regulate the immune response by modulating the production and activity of immune cells, such as T cells and macrophages. This immune regulation helps reduce inflammation and prevent further damage to the kidneys.

Moreover, cistanche has been found to improve renal function by promoting the regeneration of renal tubes with cells. Renal tubular epithelial cells play a crucial role in the filtration and reabsorption of waste products and electrolytes. In kidney disease, these cells can be damaged, leading to damaged renal function. Cistanche's ability to promote the regeneration of these cells helps restore proper renal function and improve overall kidney health.

In addition to these direct effects on the kidneys, cistanche has been found to have beneficial effects on other organs and systems in the body. This holistic approach to health is particularly important in kidney disease, as the condition often affects multiple organs and systems. che has been shown to have protective effects on the liver, heart, and blood vessels, which are commonly affected by kidney disease. By promoting the health of these organs, cistanche helps improve overall kidney function and prevent further complications.

In conclusion, cistanche is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine used for centuries to treat kidney disease. Its active components have diuretic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and regenerative effects, which help improve renal function and protect the kidneys from further damage. , cistanche has beneficial effects on other organs and systems, making it a holistic approach to treating kidney disease.