“Supermodel Granny” Drug Extends Lifespan in Lab Animals

A drug has been shown to extend the lifespan of laboratory mice by nearly 25%, offering promising implications for human aging. Treated mice, nicknamed “supermodel grannies” for their youthful appearance, were healthier, stronger, and developed fewer cancers than their untreated peers. Researchers from the MRC Laboratory of Medical Science, Imperial College London, and Duke-NUS Medical School focused on interleukin-11, a protein that increases with age and contributes to inflammation. Human trials are underway to evaluate the drug’s safety and potential anti-aging effects.

The quest for longevity is an age-old pursuit, and recent advances in aging research have uncovered promising strategies to manipulate the aging process. Scientists have known that reducing food intake can extend the lifespan of laboratory animals, but new research is delving into the molecular mechanisms behind aging.

Researchers performed two key experiments. In the first, mice were genetically engineered to lack interleukin-11. In the second, 75-week-old mice (equivalent to 55-year-old humans) were treated with a drug to remove interleukin-11 from their bodies. The results, published in Nature, showed a lifespan increase of 20-25%, with treated mice exhibiting improved muscle function, healthier fur, and reduced frailty.

Professor Stuart Cook, one of the researchers, expressed cautious optimism, emphasizing the strength of the data despite the potential skepticism. He believes the drug could have transformative effects if successful in humans and is willing to try it himself.

However, the big unanswered questions remain whether the drug will have the same effect in humans and if any side effects will be tolerable. Interleukin-11 plays a role in early human development, and its absence can lead to issues requiring surgical correction. Despite these concerns, the researchers believe interleukin-11 drives aging later in life and are hopeful about the drug’s potential.

The drug, a manufactured antibody targeting interleukin-11, is also being tested in patients with lung fibrosis. Preliminary data suggests it is safe to take. This research is part of a broader effort to find anti-aging treatments, alongside studies on metformin and rapamycin.

Professor Cook argues that a drug-based approach to extending life is more practical than severe calorie restriction, which is challenging to maintain long-term. Professor Anissa Widjaja from Duke-NUS Medical School highlights the potential relevance of these findings to human health, noting similar effects observed in human cells and tissues.

While the research shows promise, there are challenges, including the lack of patient data and the high cost of producing such drugs. Nonetheless, these findings mark a significant step towards understanding and potentially extending healthy human aging.