European scientists tested a combination of two anti-aging drugs in mice. The study found the drugs extended lifespan by around 30 percent.
Mice receiving both rapamycin and trametinib lived longer, healthier lives, with less inflammation and delayed cancer growth, indicating that such treatments have a transformative impact on their lifespan.
Rapamycin is commonly used to prevent organ rejection and has shown lifespan extension in animals. Trametinib, a cancer drug, previously extended fruit fly lifespan but had unclear effects in mammals. Researchers investigated how these drugs performed alone and combined in mice.
The research was published in the journal Nature Aging.
COMBINED TREATMENT OUTPERFORMS SINGLE DRUG USE
Rapamycin alone increased mouse lifespan by 17 to 18 percent. Trametinib alone extended lifespan by 7 to 16 percent. When given together, mice saw lifespan boosts of 26 to 35 percent, exceeding either drug alone.
The combined treatment also slowed tumor growth in liver and spleen and reduced brain, kidney, and muscle inflammation, showing a powerful impact on the mice’s lifespan and health.
MICE SHOW IMPROVED VITALITY AND ORGAN HEALTH
Mice on the drug combo stayed more active in old age. They maintained lower body weight and experienced a slower decline in heart function. This suggests the treatment improved not just lifespan, but overall health span.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR HUMAN AGING
Scientists caution against expecting humans to live dramatically longer just by taking these drugs, though improvements in lifespan might still be possible.
Instead, the goal is to help people remain healthier and disease-free later in life.
Linda Partridge, co-author, emphasized hopes that these drugs could improve human aging outcomes.
UNIQUE GENE CHANGES SUGGEST DRUG SYNERGY
Both drugs act on the Ras/Insulin/TOR pathway but target different points. Gene expression analysis showed certain changes only appeared when both drugs were combined, indicating a unique synergy in extending lifespan.
SAFETY AND NEXT STEPS TOWARD CLINICAL TRIALS
No additional side effects appeared from the drug combination beyond those known individually. Both drugs are already approved for human use, making human trials feasible in the near future. Previous studies also hint at rapamycin’s benefits for extending fertility in perimenopausal women.
Mice receiving both rapamycin and trametinib lived longer, healthier lives, with less inflammation and delayed cancer growth.
Rapamycin is commonly used to prevent organ rejection and has shown lifespan extension in animals. Trametinib, a cancer drug, previously extended fruit fly lifespan but had unclear effects in mammals. Researchers investigated how these drugs performed alone and combined in mice.
The research was published in the journal Nature Aging.
