Diabetes drug may slow ageing

An anti-diabetes drug may have the ability to slow the ageing process and increase lifespan, researchers revealed yesterday.

However its effects may not work in conjunction with a "healthy" diet, according to laboratory studies.

So far the research about the drug, metformin, only involves laboratory worms with a lifespan of three weeks.

Belgian researchers found worms treated with the drug showed few signs of ageing and lived longer than others.

Writing in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the researchers say human studies have already shown the drug may help suppress cancer and heart disease.

The researchers say metformin works by causing a slight increase in loose oxygen cells – otherwise known as free radicals – in cells.

These are normally thought of as harmful – but according to the theory, small amounts are helpful to the health of cells.

The researchers say this would mean that anti-oxidant substances, such as red wine, dark chocolate and fruit juices would neutralise metformin’s effects.

Researcher Wouter De Haes, of the University of Leuven, said: "While we should be careful not to over-extrapolate our findings to humans, the study is promising as a foundation for future research."

Metformin promotes lifespan through mitohormesis via the peroxiredoxin PRDX-2. PNAS 2 June 2014 [abstract]