• Scientists test the drug metformin, which probably prolongs life

    October 2, 2015

    For the first time clinical trials will be conducted to check if a drug prolonged life, said magazine  Sciences et Avenir. The medicine in question is metformin, which is often administered to patients affected by diabetes type 2. In 2008, the study of Russian scientists showed that it prolonged the lives of mice, probably by restricting the calorie intake and controlling the level of glucose. The published in 2014 results from the statistical survey conducted by scientists from the University of Cardiff, UK, included 180 000 people and showed that the treated with metformin diabetics had higher life expectancy than non-diabetics.

    This is why, the expert Nir Barzilai at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York launched the TAME / Targeting Aging with Metformin /project. It will monitor the health of 3 000 non-diabetics aged over 70, some of which will be taking metformin for five years, while the other participants will be included in the control group.

    Other anti-aging drug – rapamycin, is also being tested. It suppresses the immune response and is often prescribed during transplants. It has been tested on mice and prolongs their lives. Currently, the scientists from the University of Washington in Seattle tested the drug on dogs. Their hopes are that rapamycin will extend the life of the four-legged animal from 2 to 5 years.

    Tchaikapharma High Quality Medicines Inc. offers on the Bulgarian market  Metformin-Tchaikapharma (metformine), indicated for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.