Nature Communications (May 19): Semaglutide Slowed Epigenetic Aging by 9% on DunedinPACE Clock in a Post Hoc Analysis of a Phase 2b RCT in HIV-Associated Lipohypertrophy
Researchers at UC San Diego and partner institutions reported in Nature Communications on May 19, 2026 a post hoc, exploratory analysis of epigenetic aging in a 32-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2b trial of semaglutide in adults with HIV-associated lipohypertrophy. The trial randomized 108 people; 84 with blood samples at baseline and week 32 were analyzed (semaglutide n=45, placebo n=39), and epigenetic aging was not a prespecified endpoint. Compared with placebo, semaglutide lowered annualized clock estimates for PhenoAge by 4.9 years per year (p=0.004), PCGrimAge by 3.1 (p=0.007), GrimAge V2 by 2.3 (p=0.009), and GrimAge V1 by 1.4 (p=0.042), and slowed DunedinPACE by about 9% (-0.09 units, p=0.01). The authors said the post hoc design, modest sample, HIV-specific population, and 32-week follow-up limit how widely the results apply.