Key points from article :
A new study published in Aging by Cameron Kato and Irina M. Conboy from the University of California, Berkeley, demonstrates that combining oxytocin with an Alk5 inhibitor (OT+A5i) can dramatically extend both lifespan and healthspan in elderly male mice. This treatment targets age-related biological changes: oxytocin, a hormone that declines with age, promotes tissue regeneration, while the Alk5 inhibitor suppresses the overactive TGF-beta pathway, which contributes to chronic inflammation and tissue decline. Frail male mice around 25 months old (equivalent to about 75 human years) received regular doses of this combination, yielding striking results.
Male mice treated with OT+A5i lived more than 70% longer than untreated controls and showed marked improvements in strength, agility, and memory. The treatment also normalized circulating blood proteins—biomarkers of biological aging—bringing them closer to youthful levels. Short-term benefits were observed in both sexes, but long-term improvements in systemic protein balance and longevity were significant only in males. Female mice showed minimal changes in lifespan or healthspan, though middle-aged females did exhibit improved fertility after treatment.
These findings highlight the critical role of sex-specific biology in developing anti-aging therapies. While the underlying reasons for the male-specific benefits remain unclear, the results provide a promising model for designing interventions that target the molecular drivers of aging. The study emphasizes the importance of considering biological differences between males and females in translational research.
With oxytocin already FDA-approved and Alk5 inhibitors in clinical trials, this approach may have the potential to be translated into human therapies. The OT+A5i combination offers a promising avenue for improving late-life health, enhancing physical performance, and extending lifespan in aging populations, at least in males.
