Scientists Develop Drug Showing Potential to Extend Lifespan in Animals
An experimental drug, 991, has demonstrated a 25% lifespan extension in yeast, worms, and flies by targeting a key protein involved in cellular energy regulation.
Researchers have developed an experimental drug, identified as 991, that has successfully extended the lifespan of yeast, worms, and flies by up to 25%. This development represents a significant step towards understanding and potentially influencing the aging process.
The drug functions by activating a protein called AMPK, which scientists describe as the body's internal 'energy-saving mode.' AMPK helps cells conserve and produce energy, particularly during periods of stress, exercise, or fasting. Researchers have long theorized that this survival mechanism could play a role in slowing the biological changes associated with aging.
The study, published in the journal Aging Cell, is the first to demonstrate that directly targeting AMPK with a drug can yield longevity benefits in living organisms. The choice of yeast, worms, and flies was strategic, owing to their relatively short lifespans, which allows for more rapid and efficient scientific progress compared to mammalian studies.
AMPK, often referred to as the body's 'fuel gauge,' monitors cellular energy levels. When energy depletes, it initiates a response by shutting down energy-intensive processes and enhancing fuel generation. This protein is naturally activated by factors such as exercise and fasting, aiding cellular adaptation to limited resources. Its influence extends to numerous biological processes linked to aging, including metabolism, inflammation, and cellular repair. Furthermore, AMPK's central role in the body's metabolic network connects it to conditions like obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and dementia.
Several existing medications, such as the diabetes drug metformin, are known to activate AMPK, fueling interest in its potential for improving health in old age. However, these drugs often have indirect effects, complicating laboratory and clinical interpretations. The direct targeting of AMPK by drug 991 offers a clearer approach to studying its impact.
Given the successful results across three distinct species, scientists express optimism that similar benefits could eventually be observed in mammals, and potentially humans. The research team plans to investigate whether these effects can be replicated in mice. The fact that direct AMPK activators have demonstrated a good safety profile in trials for metabolic conditions adds to the hope that such drugs might find broader medical applications in the future.
Professor Filipe Cabreiro from the UK's Medical Research Council (MRC) noted that while human anti-aging clinical trials are still a distant prospect, improving health in older age would have profound societal and healthcare benefits. Aging is a primary risk factor for numerous diseases, and making individuals healthier for longer by targeting energy balance through AMPK could represent a major biomedical breakthrough. The study was primarily funded by the MRC, with contributions from researchers at Queen Mary University of London, the Francis Crick Institute, and the University of Lyon.