The weight-loss drug compounds Ozempic and Wegovy, which contain the active ingredient semaglutide, could have effects beyond just managing weight and blood glucose levels. Recent research indicates that semaglutide may also play a role in biological aging. The study involved 108 adults living with HIV who had excess abdominal fat. Participants were divided into two groups, with one receiving semaglutide and the other a placebo. Blood samples from 84 participants were analyzed to evaluate markers related to aging over a period of 32 weeks. Researchers looked into chemical markers on DNA that alter with age. Results showed that for those treated with semaglutide, the DunedinPACE biomarker—which reflects the rate of age-related changes—was approximately 9% lower compared to the placebo group. Additional "epigenetic clocks" indicated a slowdown in aging processes related to inflammation and the aging of the heart and brain. It is important to note that this does not imply that participants became 9% younger or will experience a 9% increase in lifespan. Nonetheless, this represents the first controlled clinical evidence suggesting that GLP-1 medications might influence biological aging mechanisms. However, researchers caution against generalizing these findings to the broader population, as the study's primary aim did not include this analysis, and the sample size was limited to individuals living with HIV. Michael Corley, one of the study's authors, clarifies, "We are not saying that semaglutide reverses aging or makes people younger."
Informational material. 18+.
