Rilmenidine, a blood pressure medication, and Longevity

[Nelson Vergel]

Rilmenidine is a drug that is commonly prescribed to treat hypertension[2]. Recent studies have shown that rilmenidine can extend lifespan and healthspan in Caenorhabditis elegans, a type of roundworm, via a nischarin I1-imidazoline receptor[1][3][5]. The stress-resilience, health span, and lifespan benefits of rilmenidine treatment in C. elegans are mediated by the I1-imidazoline receptor nish-1, implicating this receptor as a potential longevity target[1]. The rilmenidine-induced longevity required the transcription factors FOXO/DAF-16 and NRF1,2,3/SKN-1[1]. Autophagy, but not AMPK signaling, was needed for rilmenidine-induced longevity[1]. Furthermore, transcriptional changes similar to caloric restriction were observed in liver and kidney tissues in mice treated with rilmenidine[1][5]. Animals treated with rilmenidine live significantly longer, about 20%, than controls, and lifespan and healthspan benefits were observed in both young and old animals[4]. Rilmenidine has potential for future translatability to humans as side-effects are rare and non-severe[2][4]. However, it is important to note that while these studies are encouraging, more research is needed to determine the potential clinical applications of rilmenidine for anti-aging interventions[4][5][6].

Sources
[1] Rilmenidine extends lifespan and healthspan in Caenorhabditis elegans via a nischarin I1-imidazoline receptor - PubMed Rilmenidine extends lifespan and healthspan in Caenorhabditis elegans via a nischarin I1-imidazoline receptor - PubMed
[2] Hypertension Drug Could Be Repurposed to Delay Aging - Neuroscience News Hypertension Drug Could Be Repurposed to Delay Aging - Neuroscience News
[3] Rilmenidine extends lifespan and healthspan in Caenorhabditis elegans via a nischarin I1‐imidazoline receptor - PMC - NCBI Rilmenidine extends lifespan and healthspan in Caenorhabditis elegans via a nischarin I1‐imidazoline receptor
[4] Could a drug for high blood pressure help slow aging? - Medical News Today Hypertension drug yields anti-aging benefits in animal models
[5] Hypertension drug rilmenidine can extend lifespan and slow aging - Longevity.Technology Hypertension drug rilmenidine can extend lifespan and slow aging
[6] Could an antihypertensive drug have independent benefits for longevity? - Peter Attia Could an antihypertensive drug have independent benefits for longevity?

By Perplexity at https://www.perplexity.ai/search/4717c128-b6a1-49b6-bb29-f2c221140393

 

[FunkOdyssey]

Peter Attia weighed in today. He doesn't think it will amount to anything in humans:

Could an antihypertensive drug have independent benefits for longevity?

A recent animal study indicates that the antihypertensive drug rilmenidine has impressive effects on lifespan, but without further evidence, this story seems like another “fountain of youth” myth.

peterattiamd.com

 

[BadassBlues]

Some interesting info:

Rilmenidine: a clinical overview

Abstract. Rilmenidine is an antihypertensive agent with selectivity for I1 imidazoline receptors that acts both centrally by reducing sympathetic overactivity a

academic.oup.com

Improvement in insulin resistance​

The effects of rilmenidine were studied recently in patients with metabolic syndrome (syndrome X). Fifty-two patients with obesity, hypertension, impaired glucose tolerance, and hypertriglyceridemia (body mass index ≥ 29 kg/m2, 95 ≤ DBP ≤ 114 mm Hg, TG ≥ 2 mmol/L, 6.1 ≤ fasting plasma glucose ≤ 7.0 mmol/L or 7.8 ≤ plasma glucose at 2 h on an oral glucose tolerance test ≤ 11 mmol/L) were included. They were treated with rilmenidine (1 to 2 mg daily) for 5 months. Rilmenidine significantly improved glucose metabolism compared with amlodipine, as judged on the oral glucose tolerance test by significant reduction in plasma glucose at 2 h and in the area under the curve. These findings suggest a specific effect of rilmenidine on insulin resistance, most likely mediated by reduction in sympathetic overdrive.14

Thus, in addition to the well-demonstrated antihypertensive efficacy, and clinical and metabolic tolerability of rilmenidine, use in at-risk hypertensive patients is supported by specific benefits in those with ventricular hypertrophy, diabetic microalbuminuria, and impaired glucose tolerance.