Glycation-lowering compounds inhibit ghrelin signaling to reduce food intake, lower insulin resistance, and extend lifespan.

Non-enzymatic reactions in glycolysis lead to the accumulation of methylglyoxal (MGO), a reactive precursor to advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), which has been hypothesized to drive obesity and aging-associated pathologies. A combination of nicotinamide, lipoic acid, thiamine, pyridoxamine, and piperine (Gly-Low), was identified to lower glycation by reducing MGO and MGO-derived AGE, MG-H1, in mice. Administration of Gly-Low reduced food consumption, lowered body weight, improved insulin sensitivity, and increased survival in both leptin receptor-deficient (Leprdb) and wild-type C57B6/J mice. Unlike caloric restriction, Gly-Low modulated hypothalamic signaling by upregulating mTOR pathway signaling to inhibit ghrelin-mediated hunger response. Gly-Low also slowed hypothalamic aging and increased survival when administered as a late-life intervention, suggesting its potential benefits in ameliorating age-associated decline by inducing voluntary caloric restriction and reducing glycation.