Young and undamaged human serum albumin improves longevity of human

2:

• The preparation of claim 1, wherein the young individual is below age of 30.

4:

• The preparation of claim 1, wherein the ratio of free thiol in Cys-34 residue is greater than 80%.

5:

• The preparation of claim 1, wherein the level of AGE is lower than 30 μg/g protein.

6:

• The preparation of claim 1, wherein the level of carbonyl is lower than 1.5 nmol/mg protein.

7:

• The preparation of claim 1, wherein the level of homocysteine is lower than 2 nmol/g protein.

8:

• The preparation of claim 1, wherein the ratio of free thiol in Cys-34 residue is greater than 80%, the level of AGE is lower than 30 μg/g protein, the level of carbonyl is lower than 1.5 nmol/mg protein, the level of homocysteine is lower than 2 nmol/g protein.

9:

• The preparation of claim 1, wherein the preparation is produced recombinantly or purified from plasma.

10-17. (canceled)

18:

• A method of extending lifespan and/or anti-aging in a subject, comprising the step of administering to the subject an effective amount of a preparation of young and undamaged human serum albumin (HSA), wherein the preparation exhibits at least one or all of the following properties:
• (1) higher ratio of free thiol in Cys-34 residue, (2) lower level of advanced glycation end-product (AGE), (3) lower level of carbonylation, and (4) lower level of homocysteinylation, as compared to an endogenous HSA preparation obtained from said subject.

20:

• The method of claim 18, wherein the ratio of free thiol in Cys-34 residue is greater than 80%.

21:

• The method of claim 18, wherein the level of AGE is lower than 30 μg/g protein.

22:

• The method of claim 18, wherein the level of carbonyl is lower than 1.5 nmol/mg protein.

23:

• The method of claim 18, wherein the level of homocysteine is lower than 2 nmol/g protein, as determined by ELISA.

24:

• The method of claim 18, wherein the ratio of free thiol in Cys-34 residue is greater than 80%, the level of AGE is lower than 30 μg/g protein, the level of carbonyl is lower than 1.5 nmol/mg protein, the level of homocysteine is lower than 2 nmol/g protein.

25:

• The method of claim 18, wherein the subject is a patient or a healthy individual.

26:

• A pharmaceutical composition, comprising the preparation of young and undamaged human serum albumin as defined in claim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

28:

• A method of improving the function of skeletal muscle and/or improving the cognitive ability in a subject, comprising the step of administering to the subject an effective amount of a preparation of young and undamaged human serum albumin (HSA) as defined in claim 1.