Scientists Develop Drug That Extends Animal Lifespan by 25%, Offer Hope for Human Applications
An experimental drug targeting the AMPK protein shows significant longevity benefits in yeast, worms, and flies, prompting further research into potential human health applications.
Researchers have developed an experimental drug, known as 991, that has been shown to extend the lifespan of yeast, worms, and flies by up to 25%. The drug operates by activating a protein called AMPK, which scientists describe as the body's internal 'energy-saving mode.' This mechanism helps cells conserve and produce energy during periods of stress, exercise, or fasting, processes long suspected to slow biological aging.
The study, published in the journal Aging Cell, marks the first demonstration that directly targeting AMPK with a drug can yield longevity benefits in living organisms. The choice of yeast, worms, and flies was strategic, given their relatively short lifespans, allowing for more rapid research progress compared to mammalian systems.
AMPK functions as a cellular 'fuel gauge,' monitoring energy availability. When energy levels decline, AMPK initiates a biological response to reduce energy consumption and enhance energy production. This protein is central to many biological processes associated with aging, including metabolism, inflammation, and cellular repair. Its involvement in the body's metabolic network also links it to various health conditions, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and dementia.
While the scientific community is still a considerable distance from human anti-aging clinical trials, the potential societal and healthcare benefits of improving health in older age are substantial. Ageing is a primary risk factor for numerous diseases, and enhancing healthspan could significantly impact public health.
The research team, primarily funded by the UK's Medical Research Council (MRC), is now focused on replicating these findings in mice. The safety profile of existing drugs that indirectly activate AMPK for metabolic conditions offers some optimism for the future therapeutic potential of this pathway. Collaborators on the study included scientists from Queen Mary University of London, the Francis Crick Institute, and the University of Lyon.