Semaglutide extends lifespan and reduces aging signs in older mice
In a study funded by NIH, semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, was given to older healthy mice for three months. The drug improved memory, muscle function, blood sugar control, and several biological markers of aging, and extended lifespan. Its effects surpassed those of calorie restriction, suggesting GLP-1 drugs may influence aging through a separate pathway.
The study administered semaglutide to 20-month-old female mice over three months, with a separate cohort treated until death showing a median lifespan extension of nearly 100 days. Researchers compared the drug against a 24% calorie-restricted diet over five months, finding semaglutide produced superior outcomes in spatial memory, exploratory behavior, and glucose regulation while maintaining metabolic rate, unlike the slowed metabolism seen in calorie-restricted animals.
Gene activity analysis indicated reduced inflammation and improved tissue repair capacity. The NIH-funded work at UC Berkeley suggests GLP-1 drugs may engage a longevity pathway distinct from caloric restriction, potentially explaining their broad clinical benefits across age-related conditions.
If semaglutide genuinely slows biological aging, the implications could extend far beyond weight management and diabetes care. Older adults might gain access to a treatment that preserves independence through better muscle function and cognition, potentially reducing healthcare burdens associated with age-related decline. However, these findings come from mice, and human aging involves greater complexity. Widespread use could also raise questions about equitable access, given the current cost of GLP-1 medications. The results may nonetheless accelerate research into aging as a treatable biological process.