Reviewing mTOR Inhibition as a Mechanism to Slow Aging
Rapamycin is the most well studied of the mTOR inhibitors. It produces immunosuppression at high doses, and has been used in this context in the clinic for more than twenty years. At lower doses it mimics aspects of the beneficial metabolic response to calorie restriction, om particular an increased operation of the cellular maintenance processes of autophagy. In animal studies this has been demonstrated to slow aging and extend healthy life. Human clinical trial data for this lower dose anti-aging usage remains relatively sparse, unfortunately, but the results that do exist are interesting.
Rapamycin is one of the most intensively studied compounds with potential effects on longevity. Available experimental data indicate that inhibition of the mTOR pathway and activation of autophagy lead to improved cellular homeostasis, reduced oxidative stress, and a slowing of aging processes across multiple model organisms.
Current clinical studies in humans, although limited in number and involving small populations, suggest that low doses of rapamycin may enhance immune function, reduce visible signs of skin aging, and positively influence well-being and metabolic parameters.
Despite these promising findings, knowledge regarding the long-term safety, efficacy, and optimal dosing regimens of rapamycin remains limited. Further, multicenter, randomized clinical trials are needed to determine whether modulation of the mTOR pathway can represent an effective and safe strategy to support healthy human aging.