Monkeys Given Metformin for 40 Months Show Brain Ageing Clock Set Back About 6 Years
When male cynomolgus monkeys were given metformin for 40 months, brain ageing was set back by about 6 years on a multi-omics ageing clock.
A result showing that metformin, a type 2 diabetes drug, slows markers of ageing in primates was published in Cell. Guang-Hui Liu's team at the Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and colleagues gave adult male cynomolgus monkeys metformin for 40 months and analysed ageing changes throughout the body.
Building a monkey ageing clock from molecular data across tissues
The researchers collected physiological tests, brain imaging and tissue examinations, along with transcriptome, DNA methylation, plasma proteome and metabolome data from multiple tissues. Based on these, they built a new ageing clock for monkeys and estimated the biological age of the treated group.
As a result, several ageing markers slowed significantly, and in the brain in particular, a setback equivalent to about 6 years on the ageing clock was observed. The treated group had preserved brain structure and improved cognitive ability. Part of the neuroprotective effect was analysed as occurring through activation of Nrf2, a transcription factor with antioxidant function.
The study is significant in evaluating ageing at multiple levels over a long period in a primate close to humans. However, it is an animal experiment in male monkeys only, and the ageing clock is a measure the researchers developed themselves, so independent validation is needed. There is as yet no evidence that it slows ageing in healthy people.
- Adult male cynomolgus monkeys were given metformin for 40 months, with physiological, imaging, tissue and molecular measures evaluated together
- An ageing clock for monkeys was built from the transcriptome, DNA methylation, proteome and metabolome, and brain ageing was set back by about 6 years
- Brain structure preserved and cognition improved; part of the neuroprotective effect was mediated by Nrf2 activation
Limitations This is an animal study in male monkeys, measured with an ageing clock the researchers developed themselves, so separate clinical evidence is needed for application to people.
Original research
- Yang Y, et al. · Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Metformin decelerates aging clock in male monkeys. Cell. DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.08.021
Copyright in the original research belongs to its publisher and authors.