Key points from article :
Researchers are exploring drugs to extend dogs’ lifespans and potentially apply similar findings to humans. Loyal, a US biotech company, is set to release LOY-002, a daily pill that could give dogs an additional year of healthy life by addressing aging-related metabolic changes. Dogs, like humans, experience age-related diseases and share environments, making them ideal models for studying longevity.
The Dog Aging Project, led by the University of Washington, is investigating rapamycin, an immunosuppressant already used in humans after organ transplants. Rapamycin has shown potential to increase lifespan and delay or reverse age-related disorders in mice. In dogs, low doses of rapamycin may improve heart and cognitive functions by regulating cell growth and metabolism. This large-scale, long-term study mimics a 40-year human trial, offering insights into the drug’s effects on healthy lifespan extension.
Researchers emphasize that these findings could translate to humans. Rapamycin and similar drugs might eventually slow human aging if proven effective and safe in dogs. However, the lack of a universally accepted biomarker for aging in humans presents a challenge, as current trials require decades to test longevity drugs directly. Scientists are calling for standardized biomarkers to assess the impact of drugs on aging-related health risks.
Experts in the field view these studies as critical steps in understanding longevity. The research not only aims to improve the quality of life for dogs but also provides a pathway to develop therapies for human aging. Findings from these projects, expected within a few years, could inform future efforts to extend healthy lifespan in humans.
