Semaglutide, Active Ingredient in Wegovy, Shows Promise in Extending Lifespan and Slowing Aging in Healthy Mice
A recent study funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has indicated that semaglutide, the active ingredient in the weight-loss drug Wegovy, can extend the lifespan and slow physiological aging in healthy, older female mice. Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, administered semaglutide to 20-month-old female mice for three months, observing improved muscle and cognitive function. Gene expression analysis revealed a reduction in hallmarks of natural aging, such as increased inflammation and decreased regenerative capacity. Another group of mice treated until the end of life lived nearly 100 days longer than untreated mice. The study also compared semaglutide's effects to calorie restriction, finding that while both showed benefits, semaglutide-treated mice exhibited superior exploratory behavior, spatial memory, and blood-sugar maintenance, suggesting a biological pathway independent of calorie restriction. This research, published in Nature, offers evidence that GLP-1 drugs may ... 
