After Pig Kidney Transplants, Scientists May Have Found A Way To Transplant Pig Livers

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Updated Mar 27, 2025 | 10:00 AM IST

SummaryScientists continue to explore ways to improve organ functionality and prevent immune system rejection. If successful, pig organ transplants could one day become a reliable solution for patients in need of life-saving procedures.
Scientists may have found a way for pig liver transplants

Credits: Canva

Organ transplants involve replacing a failing organ with a healthy one from a donor. However there is always a shortage of human organ donors, and so scientists have been exploring xenotransplantation—using organs from animals, particularly pigs, for human transplantation.

Recently, Chinese researchers have reported significant progress in the field of xenotransplantation. A patient in China had successfully got her gene-edited pig kidney. This has made her the third person worldwide to live with such a transplant. Dr Lin Wang, a researcher at Xijing Hospital of the Fourth Military MEdical University in Xi'an, stated that nearly three weeks after surgery, the patient is now in good health. The pig kidney too is functioning well. As per the Chinese media, the recepienet was a 69-year-ols woman who had been living with kidney failure for the last 8 years.

What Are The Challenges Of Such Transplants?

The idea of using pig organs for human transplants is not new, however, it is in the recent times when attempts have been made in the US and in China. There were two initial attempts in the US that involved transplanting pig hearts and kidneys, however, the patients did not survive long. Though, two additional pig kidney transplants performed in the US- one in Alabama in November and another in New Hampshire in January- have been successful so far.

Despite these advancements, xenotransplantation still faces hurdles. The main challenge that remains for scientists is to overcome the risk organ rejection, immune system responses, and ensuring long-term functionality. Nonetheless, a US clinical trial on pig organ transplants is also set to begin soon, which will mark another step toward making these procedures more viable.

Is There A Potential For Pig Liver Transplants?

Researchers have now started looking beyond hearts and kidneys. There could be a possibility of transplanting pig livers. In the journal Nature, Dr Wang's team reported that they implanted a pig liver into a brain-dead patient, where it had survived for 10 days without early signs of rejection. The liver was also able to produce bile and albumin, which are essential functions of the organ. However, these productions were made at lower levels than a human liver.

ALSO READ: “You’ve Got A Pig’s Heart!” Genetically Modified Pigs with Human-like Organs Transforming Organ Donation; Details Inside

The liver transplant is particularly more challenging because it has vital roles like filtering toxins, breaking down nutrients, fighting infections, storing iron, and regulating blood clotting. While the recent experiment did show limited functionality, Wang believes that there could be more to it. It could serve as a temporary support for patients with liver failure, which could be similar to dialysis for kidney patients.

Has There Been Attempt To Transplant Pig Liver Before?

Yes, this is not the first time scientists have experimented with pig liver transplants. Last year, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania in the U.S. attempted an external attachment of a pig liver to a brain-dead patient to filter blood. A Chinese hospital also reportedly performed a pig liver transplant on a living patient who had part of his cancerous liver removed, though details of the outcome remain unclear.

In another experiment, Wang’s team implanted a pig liver alongside a human liver in a brain-dead patient, rather than removing the human liver entirely. Experts believe this approach complicates the results, as it does not fully replicate a liver transplant scenario.

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Fat Loss Jabs No Longer Just About Weight Loss; They Could Also Help Asthma Symptoms in Obese People, Study Finds

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Updated Jul 25, 2025 | 02:00 PM IST

SummaryAccording to a new study, the same drugs that are helping people drop kilos might also be calming their lungs, specifically in people who are both obese and asthmatic. Published in the journal Advances in Therapy, the study looked at health records from over 60,000 people. One group of 10,111 were prescribed GLP1-RAs, while the rest were not. Read on...
Credits: Canva

Are you in awe of weight loss injections? Well, here is some news. They might be doing more than just helping you lose fat. According to a new study, the same drugs that are helping people drop kilos might also be calming their lungs, specifically in people who are both obese and asthmatic.

If you have heard of Ozempic or Mounjaro, you probably know they are part of a growing class of drugs originally designed for people with type 2 diabetes. These are called GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP1-RAs), and they work by mimicking a gut hormone that controls blood sugar and, conveniently, appetite. What is new, though, is their potential to help with another major issue, breathing.

The Link Between Asthma and Obesity

According to the American Lung Association, people with a BMI of 30 or higher are much more likely to have asthma. It is not just because the extra weight makes it harder to breathe. Fat tissue itself releases inflammatory chemicals that can mess with lung function.

Meanwhile, asthma can make physical activity feel like a battle, and long-term steroid use can ramp up hunger, meaning it is all too easy to get stuck in a cycle where obesity and asthma fuel each other.

The Study: What They Found

Published in the journal Advances in Therapy, the study looked at health records from over 60,000 people. One group of 10,111 were prescribed GLP1-RAs, while the rest were not.

After a follow-up, the group on the jabs had lost more weight, but they also had better control over their asthma. And the average weight loss was just 0.9 kg over the year. So it was not just about shedding pounds. Something else was clearly at play.

Reportedly, GLP1s work on inflammatory responses in the airways in a different way to traditionally used steroids. In other words, the drug may be doing a direct job on the lungs, not just helping from the sidelines by shrinking waistlines.

Experts Weigh In

Prof Alan Kaplan, chairperson of the Family Physician Airways Group of Canada and the Observational and Pragmatic Research Institute, told The Sun: "Our findings suggest that GLP1-RAs have benefits on asthma control in people with obesity, and this information should contribute to the discussions around the decision to use these drugs."

Dr Erika Kennington from Asthma and Lung UK told the publication that this could be promising for people who feel stuck. "Although exercise can help people lose weight, for some people it can cause anxiety about becoming breathless or having an asthma attack, so people are stuck in a vicious cycle of not being able to lose weight and their asthma worsening."

However, she also sounded a note of caution. "Therefore, where exercise hasn't worked for someone these drugs that support weight loss could offer a promising alternative.

"It's too early to say whether these drugs would be effective for people with asthma more widely.

"More research is needed to understand how these drugs actually improve asthma control. Funding for lung health research is on life support, and urgent action is needed to increase investment."

A Possible Turning Point for Millions

Millions of people in the UK are living with asthma. At the same time, nearly two-thirds of adults in England are overweight or obese. For people stuck between breathlessness and weight gain, these jabs could be a literal breath of fresh air. Still, while the findings are exciting, no one is saying these jabs are a magic fix for everyone with asthma.

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Hulk Hogan, The Wrestling Legend, Dies From Cardiac Arrest At 71

Updated Jul 25, 2025 | 12:32 PM IST

SummaryWrestling legend Hulk Hogan has died at 71 following a suspected cardiac arrest. Emergency responders were seen performing chest compressions as he was taken to an ambulance. His death comes weeks after denying health-related rumors.
Hulk Hogan, The Wrestling Legend, Dies From Cardiac Arrest At 71

Credits: Wikimedia Commons

Hulk Hogan, the wrestling legend has passed away at the age of 71, according to a report by TMZ Sports. Emergency services were reportedly dispatched to his Florida residence following a 911 call for a suspected cardiac arrest.

TMZ also reported that a video outside Hogan's residence show that the responders had tried to desperately save him while he was being transported to an ambulance. The clip shows that several paramedics were, what it seems like, conducting compression as Hogan was being wheeled to the emergency vehicle.

Hogan's death comes just weeks after his wife publicly denied rumors that the WWE Hall of Famer was in a coma, reassuring fans that his heart was “strong” and that he was recovering well after multiple surgeries.

Widely credited with transforming professional wrestling into a mainstream global phenomenon, Hogan—born Terry Bollea—was more than just a wrestler. With his signature bandana, handlebar mustache, and larger-than-life personality, he became a household name in the 1980s and 1990s, helping to usher in an era when wrestling became part of pop culture.

What Happens During Cardiac Arrest?

Jonathan Chrispin, MD, from John Hopkins Medicine, writes, that a cardiac arrest, also known as a sudden cardiac arrest, in when the heart stops beating suddenly. The lack of blood flow to the brain and other organ can cause a person to lose consciousness, become disabled or die if not treated immediately.

Is cardiac arrest the same as a heart attack? The answer is no, as per the Heart Organization, a heart attack occurs when blood flow to the heart is blocked, whereas in a cardiac arrest, heart suddenly stops beating.

What Are The Symptoms Of A Cardiac Arrest?

In some cases of cardiac arrest, there may be no symptoms at all. You may experience these symptoms prior to cardiac arrest:

  • Fatigue
  • Dizziness
  • Shortness of breath
  • Nausea
  • Chest pain
  • Heart palpitations (fast or pounding heart beat)
  • Loss of consciousness
Symptoms of cardiac arrest can be life-threatening.

What Causes A Cardiac Arrest?

Common Causes of Cardiac Arrest:

Arrhythmia and Ventricular Fibrillation

Arrhythmia refers to an irregular heartbeat caused by disrupted electrical signals in the heart. One of the most dangerous types is ventricular fibrillation—a rapid, chaotic heartbeat in the ventricles. Instead of pumping blood effectively, the heart quivers, leading to sudden cardiac arrest.

Enlarged Heart (Cardiomyopathy)

Cardiomyopathy occurs when the heart muscle becomes enlarged—either dilated or thickened—resulting in weak or abnormal heart contractions. This condition increases the risk of heart failure and cardiac arrest.

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

CAD is caused by plaque buildup that narrows and hardens the coronary arteries, restricting blood flow to the heart. If untreated, it can lead to arrhythmias or heart failure—both of which can trigger cardiac arrest.

Other Potential Causes of Cardiac Arrest

  • Severe blood loss
  • Valvular heart disease (damage or defects in the heart valves)
  • Lack of oxygen (such as from drowning or choking)
  • Electrolyte imbalances, particularly high levels of potassium or magnesium, which can disrupt heart rhythm and lead to arrhythmia

Early diagnosis and timely medical intervention are critical in preventing these conditions from progressing to cardiac arrest.

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Teddi Mellencamp Health Update: Immunotherapy For Skin Cancer On Hold, Tumors In Lungs And Brain Also Shrink

Updated Jul 25, 2025 | 09:09 AM IST

SummaryTeddi Mellencamp has paused her immunotherapy treatment for stage 4 cancer after experiencing severe side effects, despite her tumors shrinking. The reality star is now focusing on recovery to regain strength before resuming treatment.
Teddi Mellencamp Health Update: Immunotherapy For Skin Cancer On Hold, Tumors In Lungs And Brain Also Shrink

Credits: Instagram

Teddi Mellencamp Cancer Update: Reality TV star and podcast host Teddi Mellencamp has revealed she is pausing her immunotherapy treatment as part of her ongoing battle with stage 4 cancer.

In an update during the July 24 episode of her podcast Two T’s in a Pod, Mellencamp shared that her body has been struggling to cope with the effects of the aggressive treatment, despite promising results in shrinking tumors.

The 44-year-old former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills cast member detailed that she had not been feeling well for nearly a month and had grown increasingly fatigued and disoriented. “It was kind of shocking to me, and I think mentally it did a lot to me,” she said. “I started asking myself, ‘Why do I feel like I can barely open my eyes or keep my words straight?’”

After undergoing emergency scans and consulting her doctors, Mellencamp was told that the sickness she was feeling wasn’t from the cancer itself, but from the very treatment designed to help her.

Immunotherapy on Hold for Now

Immunotherapy, a treatment that harnesses the body's immune system to fight cancer, has shown signs of success in Mellencamp’s case. Doctors confirmed that the tumors in her lungs and brain were shrinking. “They did a bunch of scans and everything’s looking good, everything’s shrinking,” she said on the podcast.

However, the toll on her body has forced a critical decision, take a break to recover strength.

“So we’re going to take a little break on the immunotherapy to get my body back feeling stronger,” she revealed, adding that she is now on steroids and other medications to stabilize her condition. “I’m doing everything I can to get back to feeling like I can do this.”

She added, “I’ve never once felt this way until recently. And it’s heartbreaking.”

A Long Battle with Skin Cancer

Teddi Mellencamp’s cancer journey began in October 2022 when she was first diagnosed with skin cancer. Over the next year, she underwent multiple biopsies and surgeries, eventually revealing in early 2024 that the cancer had progressed to stage 4 and spread to her brain and lungs.

In February, she underwent emergency surgery to remove several brain tumors. But by April, new tumors had appeared. Despite these setbacks, Mellencamp kept her spirits high. She has also been regularly updating her fans with health progress, including the encouraging news just two months ago that her tumors were visibly shrinking.

“And then today I had the scan where they checked my lungs, and they are shrinking, and one of them has shrunk so much you can barely even see it,” she had shared at the time.

What Is Skin Cancer?

Skin cancer is the abnormal growth of skin cells, most often caused by overexposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. The most common types are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma—the most aggressive form, which can spread to other organs if not detected early.

While treatable in early stages, late-stage skin cancer that metastasizes (spreads to other parts of the body) becomes significantly harder to control. Treatments often include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and newer therapies like immunotherapy. Mellencamp’s cancer appears to be an advanced form, as it is in Stage IV and has spread to other parts of her body, requiring constant monitoring and multidisciplinary care.

Despite filing for divorce in November 2024, Edwin Arroyave, her husband has remained by Mellencamp’s side throughout her cancer treatment. “He’s had to step in and help me because I, some days, can’t do it,” she admitted during the podcast. “Nothing’s changed in that other than that [we’re] on hold because of what’s happening to me medically.”

For now, Mellencamp is focusing on recovery and regaining enough strength to resume treatment. “I can do all the things,” she said hopefully. “Just not today—but maybe soon.”

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