There is good news for millions of people suffering from kidney disease. Scientists from Canada and China have together created a ‘universal kidney’, which can work for patients of every blood group. This means that now the hassle of finding a donor for kidney transplant can end. This discovery will not only reduce the waiting list, but will also save millions of lives. Let us know what is Universal Kidney and how was it discovered?

This problem occurs most in kidney transplant.

In the world of kidney transplant, the biggest difficulty lies in matching blood groups. If the blood group of the donor and the patient is not the same then the body does not accept the kidney. Suppose someone’s blood group is A and if he is given a B type kidney, then the body rejects it considering it as ‘foreign’. To avoid this rejection, many medicines are given to the patient. These medicines are very expensive and many times they are not able to save life.

This blood group is universal donor

Let us tell you that O type blood group is called ‘universal donor’, because the kidney of this group can be given to a patient with any blood group A, B, AB or O. However, the problem is that O type kidneys are very rare. Its demand is so high that in America about 11 people die every day due to not getting a kidney. Even in India, lakhs of patients are spending their lives on dialysis because a suitable donor is not available for them. Apart from this, the waiting list is so long that many patients leave the world while waiting.

How was the universal kidney prepared?

Now scientists have found the solution to this problem. After 10 years of hard work, biochemist Stephen Withers of the University of British Columbia, Canada, and his team have created a kidney that will be suitable for patients of every blood group. It has been named ‘universal kidney’. This kidney works like O type, that is, it can be transplanted into the body of a patient with any blood group.

How was this kidney made?

Now the question arises that how was this kidney made? Actually, there are some special sugar molecules (antigens) on the surface of the kidneys of blood group A, B or AB. These antigens tell the body whether the kidney is its own or foreign. These antigens are not present in O type kidneys, hence everyone accepts it. For this, scientists took A type kidney and used special enzymes (proteins) in it. These enzymes work like a kind of ‘magic scissors’, which cut the antigens from the type A kidney. Due to this the kidney becomes like O type.

How was the universal kidney tested?

Scientists tested this universal kidney in the body of a brain-dead person. In this test, which was done with the consent of the family, the kidney continued to function for several days. It cleaned the blood. Removed waste material and functioned like a normal kidney. On the third day, some mild traces of A type were seen in the kidneys, due to which the body’s immune system became slightly active. However, this reaction was much less than normal.

Also read: How much anesthesia is given to a normal person, at what high dose does death occur?

Disclaimer: This information is based on research studies and expert opinion. Do not consider this as a substitute for medical advice. Before adopting any new activity or exercise, please consult your doctor or relevant specialist.

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Human body is not less than a machine. Even if a person is declared medically dead, even all the parts of his body do not stop working immediately. It has become possible from the process of modern medical science and organ donation that even after death, some organs are given new life to the needy. This process is mainly possible in the case of people declared brain dead, as blood circulation and oxygen supply in their body is maintained by artificial means, so that the organs can be kept alive for some time.

Which organs live after death?

The life period of different organs is different, which is directly related to the time limit of their transplant. After removing the organs from the body, they are kept in special solution and at cold temperatures so that their functionality is maintained.

Here is the estimated time frame of some major limbs and their transplant.

• Heart: The heart is one of the most sensitive organs. It is considered best to transplant within 4 to 6 hours after death.
• lungs: The lungs also need to transplant within 4 to 6 hours similar to the heart. They are also highly sensitive to time.
• Liver: The liver can be kept safe for 8 to 12 hours for transplant. Its comparatively long period makes it more favorable for long distances transport.
• Pancreas: The pancreatic can usually be used for transplant from 12 to 18 hours. According to some sources, it can also be up to 24 hours.
• Intestons: It is necessary to transplant the intestines within 8 to 16 hours.
• kidney: Kidney is one of the longest surviving important organs. It can be protected for transplant from 24 to 36 hours after death, in some cases even for 72 hours. This is why the number of kidney transplant is higher than other organs.
• Eyes: The cornea of the eye can be extracted within 6 to 8 hours after death. However, the cornea tissue can be stored for 14 days after removing, which gives more time for transplant.
• skin: Skin tissue can be extracted within 24 hours after death and it can be stored up to 5 years after a special process.
• Bones: The bones can also be stored for 5 years within 24 hours.
• Heart Valve: Heart valves can be removed after death and can be stored for 10 years.

Organ donation process and challenges

Donation of vital organs is possible only when the person has been declared ‘brain dead’ in the hospital and kept on ventilator support. This is so that the organs get oxygen and they are viable. If a person dies due to stopping at home or heart rate, then the donation of his vital organs is usually not possible, because the organs are damaged in a few minutes due to lack of oxygen. Time is very important in transplantation of organs, which is called cold ischemia time. During this time, the organ is taken out of the body and kept in a cold environment. The less time it takes in this process. The success rate of transplant is equally better.

Ang donation is a life -saving work. It is important to understand that even after death some of our organs live for some time and they can give precious gifts of life to someone else. Due to the progress and quick response systems of medical science, it has now been possible that these organs can be transplanted successfully, giving thousands of people new expectations.

Also read: These 5 famous supplements can be dissolved in danger bells, heart and liver for women!

Disclaimer: Some information given in the news is based on media reports. Before implementing any suggestion, you must consult the concerned expert.

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