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As aging progresses, it is often accompanied by increased body fat, reduced insulin sensitivity, and less efficient energy metabolism. Interventions such as regular exercise and caloric restriction have been shown to support healthy aging, but they are not always practical over the long term. Researchers are now exploring therapeutic alternatives that can reproduce similar metabolic benefits.
A new study has found that a single administration of FGF21 gene therapy boosted median lifespan in male mice by more than 20% while also promoting healthier aging. The treatment provides continuous FGF21 production from skeletal muscle, restoring insulin responsiveness and helping preserve the function of several major organs as animals grow older.
Rather than repeatedly administering the protein, the scientists engineered a small amount of muscle tissue to continuously produce FGF21. They injected an adeno-associated virus (AAV) carrying the FGF21 gene into the leg muscles of middle-aged male mice. Although aging mice normally become heavier and less sensitive to insulin, those receiving the gene therapy steadily returned to a youthful body weight. The control animals continued to gain weight even though food intake did not differ between groups.
Adult mice receiving the gene therapy also experienced healthier aging across multiple systems, including stronger muscle regeneration, denser bones, and maintained cognitive performance. These gains were accompanied by a substantial increase in longevity, with median lifespan rising from 28 to 34 months. The result is particularly striking because treatment began well after early adulthood.
By improving multiple aspects of aging biology, FGF21 gene therapy emerges as a potential therapeutic strategy for extending healthspan and reducing age-related decline.
To view the original scientific study click below:
AAV-mediated FGF21 gene therapy promotes health span extension by whole-body tissue-specific adaptations
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