A low-cost diabetes drug, metformin, has been found to slow down ageing in male monkeys, according to a study that tracked these animals for over three years. The findings suggest that metformin, widely used for managing type 2 diabetes, could potentially delay the effects of ageing in humans. The study showed that monkeys treated with metformin experienced slower age-related cognitive decline and preserved organ function, particularly in the brain and liver.
The research, published in the journal Cell, indicates that the treated monkeys exhibited neuronal activity similar to that of monkeys six years younger, roughly equivalent to 18 human years. Additionally, these animals had enhanced cognitive abilities and maintained better liver function compared to those not receiving the drug.
This groundbreaking study addresses a longstanding question about whether metformin’s anti-ageing effects observed in other organisms extend to primates. Guanghui Liu and his team at the Chinese Academy of Sciences conducted the study, involving 12 elderly male cynomolgus macaques. These monkeys were given metformin daily for 40 months, a period comparable to about 13 years in human terms.
Throughout the study, the researchers collected samples from 79 types of the monkeys’ tissues and organs, performed brain imaging, and conducted routine physical exams. By analyzing these samples, they created a computational model to determine the tissues’ ‘biological age,’ differentiating it from chronological age. Their findings revealed that metformin slowed the biological ageing process in several tissues, including the brain’s frontal lobe, lung, kidney, liver, and skin. Moreover, the drug was found to reduce chronic inflammation, a significant marker of ageing.
Notably, the study highlighted a specific pathway by which metformin protects the brain. The drug activates a protein called NRF2, known for its role in safeguarding cells from damage caused by injury and inflammation. This insight into metformin’s neuroprotective effects adds a new dimension to its potential as an anti-ageing intervention.
Metformin has been a staple in treating diabetes for over 60 years and is the second most-prescribed medication in the United States. Beyond diabetes, it has been studied for its effects on other conditions such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Research involving various models, including worms, rodents, and fruit flies, has suggested that metformin might possess anti-ageing properties. However, this study was the first to directly test its efficacy in primates.
Despite the promising results, the study’s researchers underscore the need for further investigation. The small sample size of only 12 monkeys and the exclusive focus on male animals are significant limitations. Replicating the study with a larger and more diverse group of subjects is crucial for validating these findings. In response, Liu and his team have initiated a 120-person clinical trial in collaboration with Merck to explore metformin’s potential to delay ageing in humans.
In addition, Nir Barzilai, a geroscientist at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, is leading a significant initiative to raise $50 million for a trial involving 3,000 people aged 65–79 over six years. These large-scale studies aim to shift medical focus from treating diseases to promoting long-term health and longevity.
As this research progresses, it holds the promise of metformin becoming a pivotal tool in the fight against ageing, potentially enhancing the quality of life and healthspan for future generations.