A Chinese team successfully transplanted a pig kidney and liver into a brain-dead human for five days before removing them, in a world first that could pave the way for multiple organ transplants from animal to human.
Medical reports stated that the organs transplanted from the pig to the human functioned inside the 53-year-old man's body for approximately five days before the study was completed according to his family's wishes.
The SCMP reported that animal-human transplantation, that is, transplanting organs or tissues from one species to another, could help address the global shortage of organs that leaves patients in a state of instability or worse.
The medical team said in a research paper published in the peer-reviewed journal "Med" on May 29: "This study provides preliminary evidence of the feasibility of whole liver transplantation in the correct anatomical position (orthopic) as well as bilateral kidney transplantation from pig to human."
It is worth noting that orthotopic transplantation means placing organs in the correct anatomical position within the body after removing the old organs.
The medical team, led by researchers from Guangxi Medical University Second Hospital, said their study also identified early immunological and metabolic features that could benefit future clinical practice.
The report concluded that despite the potential of animal-human transplantation, there are still many hurdles that scientists and doctors must overcome before it becomes clinical practice.
