Growing evidence of Ozempic’s extensive health benefits
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Ozempic, a medication for type 2 diabetes, has been linked to a deceleration in aging, with credible evidence emerging to support this claim.
Drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, both of which contain semaglutide, have been increasingly recognized for their impact on obesity and are being researched for various conditions, including cardiovascular diseases, addiction, and dementia.
Previously, scientists speculated on their potential to slow biological aging, based primarily on animal studies and observational human data. However, recent clinical trial results offer direct evidence, according to Varun Dwaraka from Trudiagnostic, a diagnostics company based in Lexington, Kentucky.
To evaluate a drug’s impact on biological aging, researchers utilize epigenetic clocks, which highlight patterns of DNA methylation—a chemical modification that influences gene activity. These patterns evolve with age and can be adjusted by lifestyle factors, including diet. Essentially, an individual’s biological age might differ from their chronological age.
Dwaraka and his team examined 108 epigenetic clocks in individuals with HIV-related fat hypertrophy, a condition leading to excess fat accumulation and hastened cellular aging. In a randomized controlled trial, one group received Ozempic weekly for 32 weeks, while the control group received a placebo.
Using blood samples collected pre- and post-trial, the researchers determined the biological ages of 84 participants. “By the study’s conclusion, individuals administered semaglutide were, on average, biologically 3.1 years younger,” states Dwaraka. The placebo group showed no noteworthy changes. “Semaglutide not only decelerates aging but may also reverse it in certain participants,” he adds.
The research revealed that various organs and systems, particularly the heart and kidneys, exhibited slowed biological aging, with the most significant influences noticeable in the inflammatory system and brain.
Dwaraka attributes this phenomenon to semaglutide’s role in fat distribution and metabolic health. Excess fat surrounding organs can release pro-aging molecules that modify the DNA methylation of crucial age-related genes. Semaglutide effectively curtails low-grade inflammation, which is another contributor to epigenetic aging.
While the findings originated from individuals with HIV-associated fat hypertrophy, many of the biological pathways impacted by semaglutide are not unique to HIV. “Thus, similar effects on epigenetic aging may be expected in other populations,” asserts Dwaraka.
It’s not surprising that such drugs can decelerate aging, says Randy Shealy from the University of Michigan School of Medicine, as they alleviate metabolic stress on various cells and diminish inflammation—key drivers of aging throughout different cell types. However, he posits that much of the benefits arise from semaglutide improving overall health rather than direct cellular effects.
It remains to be seen if semaglutide should be taken to maintain biological youth. “It’s premature to widely recommend it as an anti-aging therapy,” Dwaraka cautions. Nonetheless, he believes this study will accelerate ongoing efforts to repurpose existing medications for age-related challenges, expediting approval processes while mitigating the risk of unforeseen side effects. “Semaglutide could become a leading candidate in this arena,” concludes Dwaraka.
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Source: www.newscientist.com
