Popular weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, known for helping with weight loss and blood sugar control, might also have a surprising side effect: slowing down biological aging. A new clinical trial indicates that semaglutide, the active ingredient in these medications, could potentially slow some of the cellular processes linked to aging.
The study, published in Nature Communications, provides the first randomized, placebo-controlled evidence in humans suggesting semaglutide may reduce the accumulation of DNA markers associated with biological aging, particularly in adults living with HIV. Researchers from the University of California San Diego and their collaborators analyzed data from a trial involving 108 adults with HIV-associated lipohypertrophy, a condition causing excess abdominal fat. About half received weekly semaglutide injections, while the other half got a placebo.
To assess aging, scientists used "epigenetic clocks," which estimate biological age by measuring DNA methylation—chemical tags that control gene activity. These markers can reveal if the body's cells are aging faster or slower than expected. People with HIV often experience accelerated biological aging, even with effective treatment, according to lead author Michael Corley, PhD. The semaglutide group showed slower biological aging markers compared to the placebo group.
Researchers believe semaglutide's potential anti-aging effects stem from multiple pathways. The drug reduces inflammation and improves metabolic health, which can lessen chronic immune activation, a key driver of accelerated aging in people with HIV. It also reduces harmful visceral and ectopic fat, potentially decreasing inflammatory signals that contribute to aging throughout the body. Corley suggests that GLP-1 drugs might even reprogram cells in various organs, explaining the observed effects across multiple aging clocks.
While this research focused on individuals with HIV, the findings could have broader implications. Corley noted that many biological processes studied in HIV are also central to aging in the general population. People with HIV can help identify interventions that might improve "healthspan"—the number of years lived in good health—for everyone. Another recent pilot study in npj Aging also found that semaglutide treatment was associated with slower biological aging in people with HIV and fatty liver disease.
Despite these promising results, the researchers caution that semaglutide is not an anti-aging drug. "We are not saying that semaglutide reverses aging or makes people younger," Corley stated. "What we are seeing is a signal that it may slow some of the biological processes associated with aging." Larger trials are needed to confirm these findings, determine the longevity of benefits, and identify optimal treatment plans. Future research may also explore combining these drugs with healthy lifestyle habits for potentially greater effects on biological aging.
