Diabetes drug metformin can slow down the biological clock

• In a new study on cynomolgus monkeys, researchers have shown that metformin, a drug used to treat type 2 diabetes, can slow the aging of several organs, including the brain.
• Over a period of three and a half years, they found that monkeys treated with metformin showed less age-related decline in performance, with some showing a six-year decline in certain indicators of aging.
• Although the study suggests promising anti-aging benefits, further research, including in humans, is needed to further explore the drug's potential.

Metformin, a drug traditionally used to treat type 2 diabetes, has attracted considerable attention due to its potential anti-aging effects.

Its mechanism of action includes improving insulin sensitivity, reducing inflammation and promoting cellular repair processes – all important factors in aging.

In this new study, experts from China, together with colleagues from the United States, have discovered that giving the diabetes drug metformin to cynomolgus monkeys can slow the aging of several organs, including the brain.

The study was conducted by teams from several institutions, including the Institute of Zoology and the Beijing Institute of Genomics, both part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Their study, published in celldescribes the researchers' almost three and a half year study on the effects of metformin on the body of Cynomolgus monkeys.

Crab-eating macaques (Macaca fascicularis) are suitable as models for aging studies because, like other primates, they exhibit physiological and functional characteristics that are similar to those of humans.

Studies Evaluation of the effects of metformin on rodents, flies and worms has shown signs of rejuvenation, and Human studies have shown that metformin can delay the onset of age-related diseases.

In this new study, researchers conducted a 40-month study with 36 monkeys to better understand the effects of metformin on biological aging in mammals.

The team administered the drug to a group of animals daily for 40 months.

They collected tissue samples from several organs, performed brain imaging, and conducted physical and cognitive tests at regular intervals throughout the study to detect changes in biological age at the cellular level.

The research team found evidence that the biological aging of several organs, including kidneys, lungs and skin, slowed by 4.9, 5.1 and 2.6 years, respectively.

The research team also used machine learning models to create a multidimensional framework for assessing aging in primate tissues and organs, allowing for accurate evaluation of the systemic anti-aging effects of metformin.

What is particularly noteworthy is that the researchers observed a significant impact on brain aging.

All monkeys showed a reduction in age-related decline. In some monkeys, brain aging indicators were similar to those of monkeys six years younger.

Metformin also preserved brain structure and improved cognitive function, likely due to its activation of Nrf2, a protein known for its antioxidant properties.

This discovery provides scientific insights into the geroprotective mechanism and will guide the development of therapies to intervene in aging.

The geroprotective effect was particularly pronounced in the frontal lobe of the brain and in the liver.

Their analyses showed that metformin significantly slowed the aging of some nerve cells and liver hepatocytes.

It's important to note that the researchers were aware of the limitations of their study, including that it focused on a single gender and that there were no human trials to confirm the results and understand the broader side effects.

Ryan Doyle, DDS, a doctor of dental surgery who was not involved in this research, noted that the findings that metformin “can slow the aging of multiple organs, including the brain, are promising and open new avenues for understanding how we may be able to slow the aging process and reduce disease risk.”

“If metformin can indeed slow aging and reduce inflammation, it could help treat age-related diseases more effectively.”
— Ryan Doyle, DDS

Anecdotally, Doyle highlighted that “patients taking metformin often report fewer dental problems and healthier gums, which is consistent with the idea that reducing inflammation and slowing cellular aging could also benefit oral health.”

This research could be significant because the aging process in monkeys shares similarities with humans, particularly with regard to cellular function and metabolic health.

If these findings are applicable to humans, it could mean that metformin has the potential to delay the onset of age-related diseases, improve organ function, and increase overall life expectancy.

Although these initial results are promising, further research is needed to determine whether the same effects occur in humans.

Clinical trials and long-term follow-up will be crucial to understand how metformin affects human aging and whether it can be used safely as a longevity treatment.

Thomas Jeneby, MD, a board-certified plastic surgeon in San Antonio, Texas, who was also not involved in this study, described similar anecdotal reports and said, “As a plastic surgeon with nearly twenty years of experience, I have observed that lifestyle choices have a significant impact on aging and overall health.”

“The findings that metformin can slow the aging of several organs, including the brain, suggest that its benefits may extend beyond blood sugar control. While more studies are needed, combining metformin or similar drugs with a healthy lifestyle may offer a new avenue to promote longevity and reduce age-related diseases.”
— Thomas Jeneby, MD