Promising Diabetes Medication Demonstrates Anti-Aging Benefits in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
A recent study reveals that henagliflozin, a common diabetes medication, may also promote cellular aging reduction by increasing telomere length in patients with type 2 diabetes, offering potential anti-aging benefits.
Recent research highlights the anti-aging potential of henagliflozin, a widely used medication for managing type 2 diabetes. A multicenter clinical trial published in Cell Reports Medicine examined whether this drug could influence aging biomarkers, particularly telomere length, which serves as a marker for cellular aging.
The study involved 142 adults aged 35 to 70 years with diagnosed type 2 diabetes. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either 10 mg of henagliflozin daily or a placebo over a period of 26 weeks. Along with monitoring glucose levels, researchers assessed changes in telomere length in blood leukocytes and levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), both of which are associated with aging and metabolic health.
Findings revealed that those taking henagliflozin experienced a significant increase in telomere length compared to the placebo group. Specifically, 90.5% of the patients on the drug showed telomere extension, versus 65.6% in the placebo group. This suggests that henagliflozin may have an inherent anti-aging effect, alongside its primary function of lowering blood sugar.
The study also observed improvements in glucose metabolism and immune function. It’s noteworthy that both groups underwent identical lifestyle interventions, indicating that the observed effects are likely due to the drug’s pharmacological properties rather than external factors.
SGLT2 inhibitors like henagliflozin work by reducing glucose reabsorption in the kidneys, which not only helps control blood sugar but also promotes weight loss and mimics caloric restriction — a well-documented strategy for slowing biological aging. Despite promising preclinical data, there has been limited clinical evidence confirming these anti-aging benefits.
This research opens exciting avenues for integrating treatment of metabolic diseases with anti-aging strategies. However, further studies with larger populations are necessary to fully understand the potential of henagliflozin to combat aging and delay age-related diseases.
The implications are particularly significant given the rising global prevalence of type 2 diabetes. Combining metabolic disease management with anti-aging interventions could enhance quality of life and lifespan, making this an important development in medical research.
Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-09-popular-diabetes-drug-anti-aging.html
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