Longevity & AgingDrug ATX-304 Activates AMPK Pathway and Boosts Metabolism in First Human Trial
A small but promising clinical trial has shown that ATX-304, a drug targeting the AMPK metabolic pathway, can produce measurable improvements in metabolic health in humans. AMPK is a cellular energy regulator that declines with age, contributing to weight gain, muscle loss, and conditions like fatty liver disease and diabetes. In an 8-week trial of 23 adults with obesity and prediabetes, participants taking ATX-304 showed reduced liver fat and visceral fat, improved triglycerides, higher adiponectin levels, and an 8% increase in resting metabolic rate. Side effects were mild and comparable to placebo, with no dangerous changes in heart rate or body temperature. This is one of the first times AMPK activation has been validated in human biology.
