Researchers from the University of Liverpool have made a significant discovery indicating that the drug rilmenidine, commonly prescribed to manage high blood pressure, may potentially extend lifespan and slow down the aging process.
This promising finding suggests that rilmenidine could be repurposed as an anti-aging medication.
Aging is a complex biological process associated with a range of health issues. Finding interventions that can delay aging and improve overall health in older individuals is a significant scientific goal.
Caloric restriction has been considered a promising approach for extending lifespan and healthspan. However, it has limitations and side effects in human studies.
The study involved the use of rilmenidine in animals at both young and older ages. Researchers observed that animals treated with rilmenidine experienced increased lifespans and improvements in various health markers. These effects resembled the benefits of caloric restriction.
The healthspan and lifespan enhancements associated with rilmenidine were found to be mediated by a specific receptor known as the I1-imidazoline receptor nish-1. This receptor represents a potential target for interventions aimed at promoting longevity.
Unlike some previous drugs studied for anti-aging purposes, rilmenidine is an oral medication used to manage high blood pressure.
It is widely prescribed and is known for having rare and non-severe side effects. This makes rilmenidine a promising candidate for repurposing as an anti-aging treatment in humans.
The discovery that rilmenidine, a medication commonly used to treat high blood pressure, can extend lifespan and slow the aging process is a significant breakthrough.
As the global population ages, the potential benefits of delaying the aging process are substantial, even to a modest extent.
Repurposing drugs with anti-aging properties, like rilmenidine, holds great potential in translational geroscience.
This study’s findings, which demonstrate rilmenidine’s ability to increase animal lifespan, open up new avenues for further research and potential clinical applications.
The study, led by Professor João Pedro Magalhães and his team, was published in Aging Cell, shedding light on a promising approach to combating the effects of aging and improving the health and longevity of individuals.
Further research is needed to explore the full range of clinical applications for rilmenidine in the context of aging and age-related conditions.
If you care about blood pressure, please read studies about The arm squeeze test: could your blood pressure reading be wrong and findings of Bedtime medication more effective for high blood pressure.
For more information about blood pressure, please see recent studies about Prebiotic fiber could manage high blood pressure and results showing that Dietary fiber: A new approach to lowering high blood pressure.
Copyright © 2023 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
