A new study has highlight the potential of metformin, a commonly use diabetes medication, in slowing the ageing process in monkeys. This study publish in Cell on 12th September 2024, the research shows that daily doses of metformin can preserve cognitive function and delay the ageing effects on various tissues, particularly the brain.
This study brings forward the intriguing possibility that metformin might one day be use to delay ageing in humans.
In the study conduct by Guanghui Liu and his team at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, 12 elderly male cynomolgus macaques were administer metformin daily for 40 months, a duration equivalent to about 13 human years.
The researchers observe that the metformin-treat monkeys exhibit significantly slower cognitive decline compare to a control group of non-treated monkeys.
The neuronal activity in the treated monkeys resemble that of animals approximately six years younger, which translates to about 18 human years.
This finding suggests that metformin has a notable effect on preserving brain health and enhancing cognitive functions.
The study also explore how metformin affect other tissues in the body.
Researchers found that the drug slow the biological ageing of several tissues, including those in the lung, kidney, liver, skin, and the brain’s frontal lobe.
Also, metformin reduce chronic inflammation, a key marker of ageing.
The drug’s influence on these various tissues indicates a broader potential for anti-ageing benefits beyond the brain.
One of the propose mechanisms by which metformin exerts its anti-ageing effects is through the activation of a protein called NRF2.
This protein plays a crucial role in protecting cells from damage cause by inflammation and injury.
Despite these promising results, it is essential to note that the study did not assess the drug’s impact on lifespan but rather focus on its ability to improve healthspan, the period during which an organism remains in good health.
Although the findings are encouraging, there are many limitations.
The study involve a relatively small number of male monkeys, and further research is need to determine whether the results are consistent across different sexes and larger sample sizes.
Guanghui Liu and his team have initiate a new trial with 120 participants, in collaboration with Merck, to test metformin’s effects on human ageing.
Adding, efforts are underway to raise funding for a larger-scale trial involving 3,000 people aged 65–79, which aims to explore the drug’s potential in extending healthspan and improving quality of life in older adults.
The study provides valuable insights into metformin’s potential beyond its use in diabetes management.
It opens up exciting possibilities for future research into ageing and suggests that this low-cost drug could play a role in promoting healthier ageing in humans.
But, more extensive and diverse studies are necessary to confirm these findings and fully understand metformin’s impact on human health and longevity.
