For centuries, humans have sought ways to extend their lifespan. While scientists have found that eating less can increase longevity in lab animals, finding a way to enjoy food while doing so has proven elusive. However, two diet-mimicking drugs, rapamycin and metformin, may hold the key.
Rapamycin, discovered in bacteria living on Easter Island soil, has been shown to prolong life almost as consistently as dietary restriction. In contrast, metformin did not demonstrate a significant benefit. This is consistent with previous findings that lab animals eating less outlive their counterparts who eat normally.
Eating less, or dietary restriction, remains the gold standard for increasing lifespan, but many people struggle to stick to it. Extreme dieting can also have negative effects on health. Researchers aimed to explore whether rapamycin and metformin could replicate the benefits of eating less without the drawbacks.
Rapamycin works by blocking a molecular switch that tells cells when nutrients are abundant. It is already used to prevent organ-transplant rejection due to its immunosuppressive properties. Meanwhile, metformin is prescribed to control blood sugar in type 2 diabetes and is derived from French lilac.
To examine the effects of these compounds on longevity, scientists pooled data from numerous studies involving eight vertebrate species. They found that eating less remained the most effective strategy for increasing lifespan, with rapamycin providing a close second benefit. Metformin, however, showed no clear advantage.
This breakthrough has encouraged researchers to investigate rapamycin as a potential anti-aging therapy. As age-related diseases such as cancer and dementia increase with an aging population, slowing this underlying process could lead to improved quality of life and reduced healthcare costs.
While preliminary results are promising, it is essential to consider the limitations of these findings. Variations in study results and the lack of human trial data on metformin pose significant challenges. Moreover, rapamycin may have side effects such as suppressed immunity and reproduction. Researchers are working to develop milder doses that can replicate the benefits without adverse consequences.
The ongoing human trial for rapamycin has shown promising results, with participants experiencing positive effects on health indicators. While these findings do not yet support using rapamycin as a treatment for longevity, they demonstrate the potential of targeting specific molecular pathways to improve human healthspan.
Source: https://theconversation.com/anti-ageing-drug-rapamycin-may-extend-life-almost-as-effectively-as-restricting-calories-our-new-research-259169