Reduced Circulating Insulin Enhances Insulin Sensitivity in Old Mice and Extends Lifespan

Authors: Nicole M. Templeman, Stéphane Flibotte, Jenny Chik, Sunita Sinha, Gareth E. Lim, Leonard J. Foster, Corey Nislow, James D. Johnson - Cell Reports 2017 cited by 157

mice. Halving Ins2 lowered circulating insulin by 25%-34% in aged female mice, without altering Igf1 or circulating Igf1. Remarkably, decreased insulin led to lower fasting glucose and improved insulin sensitivity in aged mice. Moreover, lowered insulin caused significant lifespan extension, observed across two diverse diets. Our study indicates that elevated insulin contributes to age-dependent insulin resistance and that limiting basal insulin levels can extend lifespan.