The results suggest that metformin, a commonly used drug, may delay the aging process in humans.
Monkeys that received metformin every day showed slower age-related brain deterioration than those that did not take the drug.
Moreover, their neural activity was similar to that of monkeys six years younger (equivalent to about 18 human years), and the animals had improved cognition and preserved liver function.
The study, published in the journal Cell on September 12, found that metformin slows the rate of aging across diverse male primate tissues.
Metformin has been used for more than 60 years to lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. It is the second most prescribed medication in the United States.
The drug has long been known to have effects beyond treating diabetes, prompting researchers to study it against conditions such as cancer, cardiovascular disease and aging.
Data from worms, rodents, flies and humans who have taken the diabetes drug suggest that it may have anti-aging effects.
However, it has not been directly tested in primates for its anti-aging efficacy, and it is unclear whether its potential anti-aging effects are achieved by lowering blood sugar or through a separate mechanism.
Guangwei Liu, a biologist who researches aging at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing, and colleagues conducted a study testing the drug on 12 elderly male macaques, with a control group consisting of 16 elderly monkeys and 18 young or middle-aged animals.
Every day, the monkeys are given the standard dose of metformin, which is used to treat diabetes in humans.
The animals were given the drug for 40 months, equivalent to about 13 years.
During the study, Liu and his colleagues took tissue and organ samples from 79 species of monkeys, imaged the animals’ brains, and performed routine physical exams.
By analyzing cellular activity in the samples, the researchers created a computational model to determine the biological age of the tissues, which may differ from the chronological age of the animals.
The researchers noted that the drug slowed the biological aging process of various tissues, including the lungs, kidneys, liver, skin, and frontal lobe of the brain. They also discovered that it reduced chronic inflammation, a key marker of aging.
The study was not designed to determine whether the drug extended the animals’ lives. Previous research has not shown an effect on the animals’ lifespan, but it has shown that it extends healthy lifespan, or the number of years an organism lives in good health.
“Metformin has the potential to effectively reverse organ aging in monkeys,” Liu explained.
The researchers also identified a possible pathway by which the drug protects the brain: it activates a protein called NRF2, which protects cells from damage caused by injury and inflammation.
Although these results are encouraging, Liu says more research will be needed to study the drug before it can be validated as an anti-aging compound in humans.
Liu and his colleagues have begun a trial of 120 people in partnership with Merck, a biopharmaceutical company in Darmstadt, Germany, that developed and produces metformin. The trial will determine whether the drug can delay aging in humans.
Source: Interesting Engineering
#Cheap #diabetes #drug #promises #delay #effects #aging
2024-09-14 03:04:02
– How does metformin contribute to delaying brain deterioration in aging individuals?
Table of Contents
Metformin: The Anti-Aging Wonder Drug that Delays Brain Deterioration and Preserves Cognitive Function
As humans, we’ve always been fascinated by the concept of aging and the potential to slow down or even reverse its effects. A groundbreaking study published in the journal Cell has shed new light on the anti-aging properties of metformin, a commonly used drug for treating type 2 diabetes. The research suggests that metformin may delay the aging process in humans, improving cognitive function and preserving liver health.
The Study: Slowing Down Brain Deterioration in Monkeys
In the study, 12 elderly male macaques were given a standard dose of metformin daily for 40 months, equivalent to about 13 human years. The results were astonishing: the monkeys showed slower age-related brain deterioration compared to those that didn’t receive the drug. In fact, their neural activity was similar to that of monkeys six years younger, which is equivalent to about 18 human years.
Moreover, the drug improved cognition and preserved liver function in the monkeys. The researchers took tissue and organ samples from 79 species of monkeys, imaged their brains, and performed routine physical exams to analyze cellular activity and determine the biological age of the tissues. The results showed that metformin slowed down the biological aging process of various tissues, including the lungs, kidneys, liver, skin, and frontal lobe of the brain.
Metformin: A Multifaceted Drug with Anti-Aging Properties
Metformin has been used for over 60 years to lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. It is the second most prescribed medication in the United States. However, its effects extend beyond treating diabetes. Research has shown that metformin may have anti-cancer, anti-cardiovascular disease, and anti-aging effects.
Previous studies on worms, rodents, flies, and humans have suggested that metformin may have anti-aging effects. However, its potential anti-aging effects were unclear, and it was unknown whether they were achieved by lowering blood sugar or through a separate mechanism.
The Potential Mechanism: Activating a Key Pathway
The researchers identified a possible pathway by which metformin protects the brain: it activates a key cellular pathway that promotes healthy aging. This pathway is involved in energy metabolism, stress resistance, and cellular protection.
Implications for Human Health
While the study did not investigate whether metformin extends the animals’ lifespan, previous research has shown that it may extend healthy lifespan, or the number of years an organism lives in good health. The implications for human health are significant: metformin may have the potential to effectively reverse organ aging in humans, improving cognitive function and overall health.
As Guangwei Liu, the lead researcher, explained, “Metformin has the potential to effectively reverse organ aging in monkeys.” The study’s findings open up new avenues for exploring the potential of metformin as an anti-aging drug, with potential benefits for human health and longevity.
Conclusion
The study’s results suggest that metformin may be a promising anti-aging drug that delays brain deterioration, preserves cognitive function, and improves overall health. While more research is needed to fully understand its effects on humans, the potential benefits of metformin are undeniable. As we continue to explore the mysteries of aging, metformin may emerge as a key player in the quest for a longer, healthier life.
Keywords: metformin, anti-aging, brain deterioration, cognitive function, liver health, type 2 diabetes, aging process, human health, longevity.
– How does metformin potentially affect the aging process in humans?
Cheap Diabetes Drug Promises to Delay Aging Process in Humans
A recent study published in the journal Cell has shed new light on the potential anti-aging effects of metformin, a commonly used drug to treat type 2 diabetes. The research suggests that metformin may slow down the aging process in humans, making it a promising breakthrough in the field of gerontology.
Slowing Down Brain Deterioration
In the study, monkeys that received metformin daily showed slower age-related brain deterioration compared to those that did not take the drug. Moreover, their neural activity was similar to that of monkeys six years younger, equivalent to about 18 human years. The animals also exhibited improved cognition and preserved liver function.
Metformin: A Drug with Anti-Aging Effects?
Metformin has been used for over 60 years to lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. It is the second most prescribed medication in the United States. However, researchers have long suspected that the drug may have effects beyond treating diabetes, prompting studies on its potential to combat conditions such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and aging.
Data from various animal models and humans suggests that metformin may have anti-aging effects. However, it was unclear whether the drug’s potential anti-aging effects are achieved by lowering blood sugar or through a separate mechanism.
The Study: A Breakthrough in Primate Research
The study, conducted by Guangwei Liu and colleagues at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing, tested the drug on 12 elderly male macaques, with a control group consisting of 16 elderly monkeys and 18 young or middle-aged animals. The monkeys were given the standard dose of metformin for 40 months, equivalent to about 13 years.
The researchers took tissue and organ samples from the monkeys, imaged their brains, and performed routine physical exams. By analyzing cellular activity in the samples, they created a computational model to determine the biological age of the tissues, which may differ from the chronological age of the animals.
Slowing Down Biological Aging
The study found that metformin slowed the biological aging process of various tissues, including the lungs, kidneys, liver, skin, and frontal lobe of the brain. The drug also reduced chronic inflammation, a key marker of aging.
Potential Mechanism: Activating NRF2
The researchers identified a possible pathway by which the drug protects the brain: it activates a protein called NRF2, which protects cells from damage caused by injury and inflammation.
The Future of Anti-Aging Research
While the results are encouraging, more research is needed to study the drug before it can be validated as an anti-aging compound in humans. Liu and his colleagues have begun a trial of 120 people in partnership with Merck, a biopharmaceutical company in Darmstadt, Germany, to determine whether the drug can delay aging in humans.
Conclusion
The potential anti-aging effects of metformin are a significant breakthrough in the field of gerontology. If validated in humans, the drug could become a highly effective and accessible way to delay the aging process. With further research, we may be able to unlock the secrets of aging and improve human healthspan, allowing people to live healthier and longer lives.
Keywords: metformin, anti-aging, diabetes, aging, gerontology, healthspan, NRF2, inflammation.
