The growing popularity of GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus has largely been driven by their ability to help people lose weight, improve blood sugar control, and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Now, researchers at UC San Diego have uncovered another possible benefit: slowing the biological processes associated with aging.

Published in Nature Communications, the study provides the first randomized, placebo-controlled evidence in humans that semaglutide may slow the buildup of DNA markers linked to biological aging in adults living with HIV.

"People living with HIV often experience accelerated biological aging, even when the virus is well controlled with modern antiretroviral therapy," explained first author Dr. Michael Corley of UC San Diego School of Medicine.

The trial involved 108 adults with HIV-associated lipohypertrophy. Roughly half received weekly semaglutide injections while the rest received a placebo. The results showed:

- A 9% slower pace of biological aging based on the DunedinPACE epigenetic clock - Slower aging across multiple clocks tied to inflammation and the health of the blood, brain, heart, kidneys, liver, and metabolism - Significant slowing of biological processes linked to age-related disease and mortality risk

A companion pilot study published in npj Aging found that 42% of participants showed slower biological aging and nearly 49% showed longer telomeres — the protective caps at the ends of chromosomes — after semaglutide treatment.

Researchers believe the drug may influence aging through multiple pathways: reducing inflammation, improving metabolic health, decreasing visceral fat, and potentially reprogramming cells in different organs.

While the findings are promising, scientists caution that semaglutide is not an anti-aging drug. Larger trials are needed to confirm the effects and determine optimal treatment schedules for both people with HIV and the broader population.

Sources