Key points from article :
A new study led by Zahida Sultanova at the University of East Anglia, published in a comparative analysis of 167 studies, finds that the drug rapamycin may extend lifespan in animals to a similar degree as caloric restriction, a long-established method known to boost longevity in multiple species. The researchers looked at data across eight vertebrate species – including mice, rats, fish, and rhesus monkeys – and found that both calorie reduction and rapamycin consistently increased lifespan in males and females alike.
Caloric restriction, which involves reducing food intake without causing malnutrition, has long been associated with up to a 40% increase in lifespan in non-human animals. Rapamycin, originally developed as an immunosuppressant, has gained attention for its anti-ageing potential, especially after showing a 30% lifespan increase in mice when combined with another drug, trametinib.
Interestingly, another candidate anti-ageing drug, metformin, showed no significant impact on lifespan across the species studied. Despite rapamycin’s promising results, Sultanova and experts like Matt Kaeberlein caution against its premature use in humans due to potential immune suppression and reproductive side effects. While low-dose rapamycin appears relatively safe in early trials with healthy older adults, researchers emphasize the need for more data on long-term risks and benefits in humans.
Looking ahead, related compounds known as rapalogs might offer similar life-extending effects with fewer downsides. However, experts stress that translating findings from animals to humans is complex—effects in shorter-lived species often appear more dramatic than in longer-lived ones. The consensus: more human-focused research is needed before considering rapamycin as a mainstream anti-ageing therapy.
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