A Chinese research team successfully reactivated the brains of experimental pigs an hour after they died, which could bring a breakthrough in restoring human brain function after cardiac arrest. The goal of the experiment, which pushes ethical and scientific boundaries, is to extend the time window available for resuscitation and increase the chances of survival after cardiac arrest.

The research was funded by China’s Sun Yat-Sen University and the Guangdong Provincial Foundation for International Science and Technology Cooperation, and 17 Tibetan pigs participated in the experiments. The brains of the dead animals were connected to a complex life support system that included an artificial heart and lungs, and in some experimental groups a liver was also integrated into the system.

According to researchers, the liver plays a key role in the success of brain resuscitation because it oxygen and ensures a proper flow of nutrients in the body.

Details of the research

During the experiment, brain functions were examined in two main groups: one group was exposed to cerebral and liver ischemia, while the other was exposed to cerebral ischemia only. The results showed that the group without liver ischemia suffered less brain damage, indicating that the condition of the liver has a direct effect on resuscitation. In the support system containing the live liver, the electrical activity of the brain could be restored after 50 minutes, and this restored state was maintained for 6 hours. Resuscitation of the brain with a system without a liver was also possible, but the activity lasted only for a short time.

According to the research “a functioning liver added to a normothermic brain perfusion system significantly reduced post-cardiac arrest brain damage, increased neuronal viability, and improved electrocortical activity”.

The role of the liver in the recovery of brain function after cardiac arrest

During the development of brain resuscitation technologies, scientists have realized that the functioning of the liver can play a key role. If the liver is missing or damaged, the chances of survival decrease, as the oxygen supply of the blood and the circulation of nutrients in the body become significantly hindered. The scientists participating in the research emphasized that the liver is particularly important in minimizing hypoxic and anoxic injuries.

In the next phase of the experiment, the researchers examined different time intervals for resuscitation: the brain was connected to the liver-supplemented system 30, 50, 60 and 240 minutes after death. The 50-minute interval proved to be the most effective, which may provide an opportunity to develop support systems in the future that increase the survival rate of cardiac arrest.

Crossing ethical boundaries or scientific progress?

In the scientific journal EMBO Molecular Medicine published the results of the experiment immediately sparked heated debates. Although the experiment represents significant progress, it also raises serious ethical questions. Experiments on animals, especially those involving painful or life-threatening situations, are always controversial. However, the results achieved during the research may give hope to those who desire rehabilitation options after a cardiac arrest.

Although the use of such experiments on humans is currently unthinkable, the scientific community is constantly investigating methods of brain resuscitation, which may revolutionize resuscitation and rehabilitation technologies in the long term.

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