Researchers may have found a way to slow the aging of the ovaries by using inexpensive immunosuppressants commonly used to treat tumors and kidney transplant patients.
A new small-scale study conducted at Columbia University in collaboration with Professor Yuxin Su and Associate Professor Zev Williams. found that the drug prolongs fertility, delays menopause, and improves women’s risk of age-related diseases. As a result, this drug may reduce ovarian aging by 20%.
The results of this study are of interest to many because they give women hope that they can increase their chances of becoming pregnant.
People using rapamycin experience side effects such as high blood pressure, infections, headaches, and nausea, but these side effects did not occur in women participating in studies using rapamycin to treat infertility. This means that the lifespan of the ovaries can be extended without sacrificing the woman’s comfort.
Women who participated in the randomized, placebo-controlled study self-reported improvement. They claimed that their energy levels, memory, skin, and hair all improved while taking rapamycin. a research preprint Participants, including 40 women, found that when they took 10 mg of rapamycin weekly, they had increased lean tissue mass and improved quality of life in terms of pain and social functioning.
Rapamycin can help fertility in several ways. This drug may improve in vitro fertilization (IVF) results for women with endometriosis. It may also improve egg quality, a 2022 study in mice and humans found.. Clinical trials of rapamycin have primarily been conducted in mice, because longevity results take decades to become clear. However, the results are easy to measure because the ovaries age rapidly.
So how does rapamycin increase fertility?
Rapamycin inhibits the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, which is essential for cell growth and survival. This means that this inhibition slows down cellular aging.
Participants in the study, titled “Verifying the Effects of Rapamycin in the Treatment of Reproductive Aging (Vital),” found that when they took a small amount (5 mg) of rapamycin weekly for three months, their ovaries released fewer eggs. Patients undergoing transplantation typically take 13 mg of rapamycin per day.
It is important how much rapamycin a person takes. Too high a dose can actually stop ovulation altogether.
Women are born with millions of eggs, but as we age, the number of eggs decreases and the quality of the eggs declines. Women typically lose 50 eggs per month, and ovarian aging is critical to fertility because the ovaries are the fastest-aging organs in a woman’s body.
In this study, rapamycin reduced the loss of 50 eggs per month to 15 eggs per month. This means that a woman’s ovarian mass is maintained and her chances of pregnancy are increased. Although it can be difficult to increase fertility naturally with the addition of rapamycin, certain lifestyle changes can ensure the health and quality of your eggs.
A balanced and nutritious diet is important for people trying to conceive. Women should aim to:
- Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish, flaxseed, and walnuts.
- We get vitamin D from sunlight, fatty fish, and dairy products.
- Vitamins C and E found in fruits, vegetables, and nuts.
- Iron contained in meat and beans.
- Protein found in lean meats, beans, and legumes.
In addition, women who are trying to conceive can take supplements that increase egg quality. Like:
- Vitamin B6 for hormone regulation.
- Zinc for hormone production.
- Probiotics for infertility treatment.
- Prenatal supplements for reproductive health.
Other factors include regular exercise, managing stress, avoiding smoking and alcohol, and maintaining a healthy weight.
Research is still ongoing. The company expects to have 1,000 participants by the end of the trial. They plan to complete the study within two years.
Although rapamycin is already readily available to the public, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved it as a treatment for menopause, fertility, or longevity. It is unclear when it will be available as an infertility treatment. However, a phase 3 trial is expected to be conducted in the future.
