NIH Study: Ozempic Ingredient Slows Aging in Mice

Semaglutide, the drug behind Ozempic and Wegovy, may slow the aging process itself, according to a new NIH-funded animal study. Researchers found the medication extended lifespan and reduced biological signs of aging in older, healthy mice, going beyond the effects of simply eating less.

A team from the University of California, Berkeley gave semaglutide to 20-month-old female mice for three months. Compared to untreated mice, the animals on the drug showed better muscle function and memory. Their gene activity also indicated improvements in key aging hallmarks, including reduced inflammation and better tissue repair.

The lifespan extension was pronounced. In a separate group treated with semaglutide until death, median lifespan increased by nearly 100 days compared to control mice.

Beyond Calorie Restriction

Because semaglutide suppresses appetite, scientists questioned if its benefits merely resulted from reduced calorie intake. They conducted a direct comparison, giving one group of 20-month-old female mice semaglutide for five months while another group followed a 24% calorie-restricted diet designed to match the food intake of the drug-treated mice.

While both groups showed similar stability in most physiological measures, semaglutide produced superior results in specific areas. Mice on the drug improved their exploratory behavior, spatial memory, and blood-sugar control beyond their starting levels. Their metabolic rate also remained stable, whereas metabolism slowed in the calorie-restricted animals.

"These differences point to the possibility that GLP-1 drugs tap into a biological pathway independent of calorie restriction," said Danica Chen, Ph.D., the study's corresponding author and a professor at UC Berkeley. She stated that uncovering this potential route is an important direction for future longevity research.

Implications for Human Health

The findings suggest GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide might influence core aging mechanisms. Rafael de Cabo, Ph.D., a senior NIH investigator who commented on the study, noted, "Most chronic diseases are deeply rooted in the aging process."

However, the study does not prove Ozempic or Wegovy can extend human lifespan. The research, supported by NIH's National Institute on Aging, was conducted in mice. Determining if these effects translate to people requires additional clinical studies. Chen suggested future trials could investigate these drugs in healthy older adults without obesity or diabetes.

The study compared key outcomes between mice treated with semaglutide and those on a matched calorie-restricted diet.

Further analysis of human trials, like a recent post-hoc look at the SLIM LIVER trial data, will be necessary to establish any meaningful impact on human aging. The research was published in the journal Nature.