A considerably more valuable concept of the nature of the tonicizing action 

 of blood transfusion was given by A. A. Bogomolets (1932). He advanced the 

 extremely interesting theory of coUoidocIasia, which appeared to be the basis 

 for the concept of the "rejuvenating" action of blood transfusion. Specifically, 

 the introduction into the recipient organism of several proteins from the donor's 

 blood that differ in their physical-chemical (electrocolloidal) properties gives 

 rise to peculiar "electro-colloidal storms" (colloidoclastic shock). In this con- 

 dition, there is a precipitation and automatic elimination of proteins from the 

 protoplasm, chiefly of the older ones with lowered colloidal stability, and it, 

 having been freed from them, is rejuvenated somewhat. 



"We have already spoken of the fact that aging of the protoplasm of cells 

 occurs as a result of a 'maturation' of the cellular colloids and micelloids and 

 the conversion of these into precipitates and flocculates, forming biologically 

 inert inclusions and depressing the vital activity of the cells. The majority of 

 these flocculates are already incapable of redispersion. They have not yet, 

 however, reached (and can never reach) those degrees of coagulation that are 

 necessary for them to be destroyed by the intracellular enzymes. It would ap- 

 pear that we have here an analogy with the processes of digestion of food: the 

 colloids and micelloids of milk undergo digestion by the digestive enzymes only 

 after they have been coagulated. Blood transfusion provides us with a means of 

 freeing the cell, by means of colloidoclasia, from the products of the aging of 

 the protoplasm with which it is littered." (A. A. Bogomolets, 1940). 



Over a period of many years (1912-1946), Bogomolets worked on the prob- 

 lems of age-associated physiology and founded in this area (aside from his other 

 scientific services) a very prominent scientific school. Regardless of the extent 

 to which some of his theoretical views may or may not be regarded as well- 

 substantiated, he did have a notable role in the development of Russian phys- 

 iology and pathophysiology of aging and the search for means of prolonging life. 

 Bogomolets did a very great deal for the organizational unification and strength- 

 ening of all the principal laboratories that were working on behalf of human 

 longevity in the USSR. 



The starting point for the theory of aging advanced by Bogomolets is to be 

 found in his idea of the extremely great significance of the connective tissue 

 system in the organism. This system represents a special "root" of the organism, 

 determining the extent to which the other tissues are supplied with oxygen, 

 nutrient substances, and hormones and their excretion of carbon dioxide and 

 other waste products. The connective tissue is an intermediary between the 

 blood and all other tissues. Its aging begins earlier than that of other tissues 

 and is of very great significance as regards the general aging of the organism. 



"My viewpoint on the significance of the activity of the physiological sys- 

 tem of the connective tissue for the longevity of the organism is exactly opposite 

 to that of Mechnikov. It is my opinion that the aging of the organism begins 

 precisely with the connective tissue. The organism is as old as its connective 

 tissue. By no means is the connective tissue merely the elastic skeleton of the 

 organism. I believe that the connective tissue with its diverse cellular elements 

 is the physiological system of the organism that performs the extremely impor- 



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