Popular drugs for obesity and diabetes may possess potent anti-aging properties. A recent study found that older female mice treated with the drug semaglutide lived significantly longer than their counterparts and showed a slowing of key biological processes associated with aging.
Obesity Drugs Slow Aging in Mice
GLP-1 agonist drugs were originally developed solely to treat type 2 diabetes, as they mimic a natural hormone that regulates blood sugar levels and appetite. It was later discovered that they promote effective weight loss, and scientists are now actively investigating their potential to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, alleviate symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, and combat systemic inflammation.
A new study published in the journal Nature supports the hypothesis that weight-loss drugs can slow age-related physiological changes.
In the experiment, scientists administered semaglutide to healthy 20-month-old female mice—an age roughly equivalent to 60 years in humans. The treated rodents had an average lifespan of 834 days, 12% longer than that of the control group. In addition to living longer, the treated mice performed exceptionally well in tests measuring motor coordination, muscle strength, and glucose metabolism.
Molecular analysis revealed a significant reduction in markers of systemic inflammation, which typically increases with age. Researchers sought to determine whether this effect was solely due to calorie restriction, given that GLP-1 drugs suppress appetite. To investigate this, a separate group of mice was placed on a strictly restricted diet that matched the caloric intake of the animals treated with semaglutide. Both approaches resulted in a similar increase in lifespan. However, the mice receiving the drug performed significantly better on tests of spatial memory and coordination than those that were simply calorie-restricted.
Potential for human application
GLP-1 functions
The presence of an additional protective effect demonstrates that semaglutide works through mechanisms beyond mere food intake reduction. While the underlying mechanism is not yet fully understood, it clearly extends beyond the effects of a standard diet. “This came as a real surprise to us,” admits Danica Chen, a biologist at the University of California, Berkeley, and co-author of the study.
Other experts note that while the results in rodents are highly compelling, it is too early to extrapolate them to humans. Furthermore, male and female bodies may respond very differently to the therapy. Proving the efficacy of GLP-1 drugs as longevity treatments in humans will require years of research.
Scientists now plan to test such drugs not on perfectly healthy volunteers, but on patients in the early stages of age-related diseases. Recruitment has already begun in the US for a trial of the drug tirzepatide involving people aged 55 to 70 who are overweight and have associated health issues. Until definitive results are available, experts advise sticking to proven methods for extending lifespan: a healthy diet and regular physical activity.
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