Semaglutide, the active ingredient in medications like Ozempic and Wegovy, may slow biological aging markers in adults living with HIV, according to a study published in Nature Communications. Researchers found that the drug reduced signs of cellular aging across multiple epigenetic clocks, potentially offering insights into managing age-related health decline in both HIV-positive and general populations.
Evidence of Slower Biological Aging
A clinical trial conducted by researchers at the University of California San Diego evaluated 108 adults living with HIV-associated lipohypertrophy, a condition characterized by abnormal fat accumulation. Participants were randomized to receive either weekly semaglutide injections or a placebo.
To measure biological aging, the team utilized "epigenetic clocks," which analyze DNA methylation—chemical tags on DNA that reflect how genes function over time. According to the study, participants treated with semaglutide showed:
- A 9% slower pace of biological aging as measured by the DunedinPACE epigenetic clock.
- Slower biological aging across clocks linked to metabolic, liver, kidney, brain, and heart health.
- Significant slowing of biological processes linked to all-cause mortality risk according to the PCGrimAge clock.
"We are seeing a signal that it may slow some of the biological processes associated with aging," said Michael Corley, PhD, the study’s first author and an associate professor at the UC San Diego School of Medicine.
Mechanisms Behind the Results
Researchers suggest that semaglutide influences aging through several metabolic and inflammatory pathways. People living with HIV often experience accelerated aging due to chronic immune activation, even when the virus is suppressed by antiretroviral therapy.
By reducing visceral and ectopic fat—fat stored around organs or in non-typical areas—semaglutide decreases the inflammatory signals that drive cellular aging. The study authors suggest the medication may also possess the ability to "reprogram" certain cells across various organs, which could explain the broad effects observed across different epigenetic markers.
Findings in Liver Disease Patients
These results align with a separate pilot study published in npj Aging, which monitored semaglutide treatment in people living with HIV and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).
That research observed that 42% of participants experienced a slowing of biological aging via the DunedinPACE clock, while nearly 49% showed longer telomeres—the protective caps at the ends of chromosomes. Participants with longer telomeres also demonstrated improved physical function, such as faster walking speeds, after 24 weeks of treatment.
Implications for Future Research
While these findings are promising, investigators emphasize that semaglutide is not an anti-aging drug. The current data signals a potential for slowing biological decline, but researchers note that larger, long-term clinical trials are necessary to determine the durability of these effects and identify which patient groups stand to benefit most.
The Stein Institute for Research on Aging is now looking toward developing personalized "aging dashboards." These tools could eventually allow clinicians to monitor biological aging through epigenetic testing, potentially leading to more targeted treatments for age-related diseases.
Key Takeaways
- Study Scope: The Nature Communications study focused on 108 adults with HIV-associated lipohypertrophy.
- Epigenetic Clocks: Researchers used tools like DunedinPACE and PCGrimAge to quantify biological aging at the cellular level.
- Inflammation Reduction: The drug’s ability to lower visceral fat and reduce chronic immune activation is considered a primary driver of the observed anti-aging signals.
- Broader Healthspan: Scientists believe these processes are relevant to the general population, potentially helping to extend "healthspan"—the period of life spent free from major age-related diseases.
The research was supported by the National Institutes of Health and the James B. Pendleton Charitable Trust. Dr. Michael Corley serves as a scientific advisor for TruDiagnostic.