Study suggests semaglutide may slow biological aging markers
8 reported3 unconfirmed
A new clinical trial published in Nature Communications suggests that semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, may slow some biological processes associated with aging. Researchers from the University of California San Diego and collaborating institutions examined data from an earlier trial involving 108 adults with HIV-associated lipohypertrophy, a condition causing excess abdominal fat. Roughly half received weekly semaglutide injections, while the rest received a placebo. 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. Scientists caution that larger studies are needed before concluding the drug can help people age more slowly.
What’s reported
The study was published in Nature Communications on July 14, 2026.
Researchers analyzed data from 108 adults with HIV-associated lipohypertrophy.
Participants treated with semaglutide showed a 9% slower pace of biological aging based on the DunedinPACE epigenetic clock.
Semaglutide slowed biological aging across multiple epigenetic clocks tied to inflammation and health of blood, brain, heart, kidneys, liver, and metabolism.
A related pilot study published in npj Aging found biological aging slowed in 42% of participants with HIV and fatty liver disease after 24 weeks of semaglutide treatment.
Researchers believe semaglutide may influence aging by reducing inflammation, improving metabolic health, and reducing visceral and ectopic fat.
First author Michael Corley, PhD, stated: "We are not saying that semaglutide reverses aging or makes people younger."
The study was funded in part by the National Institutes of Health and the James B. Pendleton Charitable Trust.
Open questions
Whether the results apply to people without HIV.
How long any anti-aging benefits from semaglutide might last.
What the most effective treatment schedules would be for different populations.
Key figures
Michael Corley, PhD, associate professor at UC San Diego School of Medicine and the Stein Institute for Research on Aging (first author of both studies)
Grace A. McComsey (senior author listed in journal reference)
Varun B. Dwaraka, Alina PS Pang, Danielle Labbato, Ryan Smith, Allison Ross Eckard (co-authors listed in journal reference)
Sources: ScienceDaily
