A recent study involving cynomolgus monkeys has shown that the diabetes medication metformin can slow the aging process in various organs, including the brain. Over a 40-month period, monkeys treated with metformin exhibited reduced age-related decline, with some even regressing by up to six years in certain aging indicators. While the results of the study suggest promising anti-aging benefits, further research, including human trials, is needed to fully explore the potential of metformin as an anti-aging treatment.
Metformin, traditionally used to treat type 2 diabetes, has been gaining attention for its potential anti-aging effects due to its ability to improve insulin sensitivity, reduce inflammation, and promote cellular repair processes, all of which are crucial factors in the aging process. In a new study conducted by researchers in China and the United States, it was discovered that administering metformin to cynomolgus monkeys can slow aging across various organs, including the brain. The study, published in Cell, highlights the nearly three-and-a-half-year study conducted on the effects of metformin on cynomolgus monkeys from several institutions including the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
The research team administered metformin daily to a group of cynomolgus monkeys over a 40-month period, collecting tissue samples from multiple organs, performing brain imaging, and conducting physical and cognitive tests at intervals to evaluate changes in biological age at the cellular level. The study revealed that biological aging slowed down in organs such as the kidneys, lungs, and skin by several years, and the monkeys displayed improved brain aging indicators resembling those of monkeys six years younger. Metformin also protected brain structure and enhanced cognitive function, potentially due to its activation of Nrf2, a protein with anti-oxidative properties, offering insight into metformin’s geroprotective mechanism.
The researchers noted a significant reduction in aging of neural cells and liver hepatocytes with metformin treatment, specifically in the brain’s frontal lobe and the liver. While the findings of the study offer promise for understanding the potential benefits of metformin for slowing aging and reducing inflammation, more research is needed to validate the results in humans. Dental surgeon Ryan Doyle emphasized the potential of metformin to reduce aging and inflammation, potentially leading to improved disease management, highlighting the reported benefits on oral health in patients taking metformin.
The potential implications of the study are significant as monkeys share similarities with humans in terms of cellular function and metabolic health. If the findings translate to humans, metformin could delay age-related diseases, improve organ function, and enhance longevity. Plastic surgeon Thomas Jeneby noted the impact of lifestyle choices on aging and overall health, suggesting that integrating metformin or similar drugs with healthy lifestyle choices could offer a new approach to promoting longevity and reducing age-related diseases. However, further clinical trials and long-term studies are essential to confirm the effects of metformin on human aging and to determine its safety and efficacy as an anti-aging treatment.
