Aging w/ Metformin, Rapamycin & More: Longevity Researcher Tells All

Senescent Cells

Senescent cells play a significant role in chronic inflammation, a key factor in age-related diseases. Matt Kaeberlein explains that these cells accumulate over time, releasing inflammatory cytokines that contribute to a state known as inflammaging 1. This chronic inflammation is not triggered by external factors like diet but is a result of the body's own cells becoming senescent 2.

It's a big part of the broad beneficial effects we see from Rapamycin in the context of aging.

--- Matt Kaeberlein

Clearing these cells in mice has shown promising results, including reduced inflammation and increased lifespan 3.

   

Rapamycin's Impact

Rapamycin, a drug traditionally used for organ transplant patients, shows potential in modulating inflammation and rejuvenating the immune system in older individuals. Matt Kaeberlein highlights that short-term treatment with Rapamycin can make an old mouse's immune system function like a young one's 4. This effect is partly due to its ability to reduce chronic inflammation, allowing immune cells to operate more effectively 5.

The observation in mice and there's a little bit of data in people is that if you take an old mouse with a non fun or sub functional immune system and you give it a short term treatment with Rapamycin, that mouse's immune system is then able to function as if it was a young mouse.

--- Matt Kaeberlein

Additionally, Rapamycin has been shown to improve vaccine responses, suggesting broader applications for enhancing immune function in the elderly 6.