GLP-1 treatment late in life extends lifespan in animal model
A study published in Nature has shown that the GLP-1 drug semaglutide extended the lifespan of older, healthy mice by tempering the detrimental effects of aging. Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, compared the effects of the treatment with those of reduced food intake. They found that the drug mimicked the anti-aging benefits of calorie restriction, conferring even greater benefits in some areas.
The study authors, led by Danica Chen, Ph.D., administered semaglutide to 20-month-old female mice for three months, and compared with a control group, mice treated with the drug showed improved muscle and cognitive function. Gene expression analysis showed that several hallmarks of natural aging, such as increased inflammation and reduced regenerative capacity, were reduced in treated animals.
Another group of mice treated until the end of life had a median lifespan nearly 100 days longer than that of untreated mice. The authors compared semaglutide with calorie restriction to see whether its benefits were simply due to reduced food intake or something else. Semaglutide-treated mice surpassed baseline levels in exploratory behavior, spatial memory, and blood-sugar maintenance, and had a reduced metabolic rate.
These findings suggest that GLP-1 drugs may tap into a biological pathway independent of calorie restriction, and uncovering this potential route is an important direction for future research into the development of longevity-enhancing interventions.
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