As pet owners, the aging and passing of our furry companions is an inevitable heartache. We always wish they could stay with us a bit longer. Many of my friends hesitate to adopt a puppy for fear of the eventual farewell.
Last year, I came across some eye-catching news: a drug called LOY-001, designed to extend dogs' lifespans, has received preliminary approval from the FDA. If clinical trials are successful, it might hit the market soon.
What is LOY-001?
LOY-001 is a drug developed by Loyal, aimed at prolonging the lives of large breed dogs. It has received conditional approval from the FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine, meaning the FDA acknowledges its potential, but more experimental data is needed before it can be officially sold.
It's important to note that this anti-aging drug is specifically for large breed dogs. Current data shows that large dogs live almost half as long as small dogs. Scientists believe this may be linked to a hormone called IGF-1, which is present in much higher levels in large dogs and might be the reason for their faster aging.
IGF-1, or insulin-like growth factor 1, is a hormone produced under the stimulation of growth hormone (GH) and is known to promote growth. There is a potential link between IGF-1 and aging in adult mammals. Inhibition of the GH/IGF-1 axis in experimental animals has shown lifespan extension, and centenarians often exhibit suppressed IGF-1 levels, suggesting it may be a factor in human longevity as well.
LOY-001 aims to extend the lifespan of large dogs by inhibiting IGF-1. Although the exact mechanism is not fully understood, some scientists speculate it may be related to energy distribution during growth. Large dogs require more energy for growth, which could limit the energy available for repair, leading to faster aging.
However, not everyone agrees with this hypothesis. Research on GH/IGF-1 and aging is still ongoing, and there are more conservative views in the scientific community. For example, Danika Bannasch, a veterinary geneticist at UC Davis, believes that developing anti-aging drugs based on growth hormones is premature.
Regardless, LOY-001 needs extensive testing to prove its safety and efficacy. If successful, we might see it on the market by 2026.
What About Cats and Humans?
LOY-001 is unlikely to be effective for cats, as it is specifically designed for large dogs. However, a drug called AIM, which claims to extend cats' lifespans to 30 years, has been making waves online since 2021. Developed by Professor Miyazaki at the University of Tokyo, AIM targets kidney issues common in elderly cats. While its effectiveness and safety are still under scrutiny, there's hope it might be available by 2025.
Interestingly, LOY-001 holds significant implications for human anti-aging research. Dogs share a closer relationship with humans than we might think. Over centuries, dogs have evolved to digest starch, similar to humans, showing convergent evolution. Elderly dogs exhibit similar immune characteristics and clinical diseases to elderly humans, including cognitive disorders and central nervous system diseases akin to Alzheimer's.
This similarity makes dogs valuable for anti-aging research. For example, the potential human anti-aging drug rapamycin is also being tested on dogs. Preliminary studies suggest it can significantly improve heart function in older dogs.
Conclusion
As we eagerly await the potential of LOY-001, it's clear that our efforts to extend the lives of our pets could also pave the way for advancements in human medicine. The bond we share with our pets transcends companionship, influencing scientific progress that may one day benefit us all. Until then, let's cherish every moment with our beloved animals and look forward to the future possibilities.
References
[1] https://loyalfordogs.com/posts/loyal-announces-historic-fda-milestone-for-large-dog-lifespan-extension-drug
[2] GH/IGF-I/insulin system in centenarians[J].Mechanisms of Ageing and Development, 2017, 165(Pta2).
[3] The companion dog as a unique translational model for aging[J].Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology, 2017, 70:141-153.DOI:10.1016/j.semcdb.2017.08.024.
[4] Birth mass is the key to understanding the negative correlation between lifespan and body size in dogs[J].Aging, 2016, 8(12):3209.DOI:10.18632/aging.101081.
[5] https://dogtricksworld.com/new-drug-that-could-extend-dogs-lives-gets-closer-to-fda-approval/
[6] https://www.u-tokyo.ac.jp/focus/ja/features/z1304_00002.html#