Common Anti-Inflammatory Drug Meloxicam Protects Against Age-Related Muscle Loss in Mice

Researchers have found that meloxicam, a widely available non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), protected aging mice against sarcopenia (muscle loss) and metabolic dysfunction. Published in Experimental & Molecular Medicine, the study shows meloxicam works by restoring levels of Cdon, a muscle-expressed protein that declines with age, while also reducing oxidative stress. Aged mice treated with meloxicam maintained better muscle mass, strength, and metabolic health compared to untreated controls. This is intriguing because meloxicam is already FDA-approved for arthritis, with a well-understood safety profile, making it a potential candidate for drug repurposing. However, significant caution is warranted. Long-term NSAID use in older adults carries risks including gastrointestinal bleeding, cardiovascular events, and kidney damage—risks that might outweigh benefits for a non-life-threatening condition like gradual muscle loss. The study was conducted in mice, and the dose-response relationship in humans remains unknown. While the mechanism involving Cdon is scientifically interesting and could point toward safer targeted therapies, using meloxicam for anti-aging purposes would require careful clinical trials specifically designed to assess the risk-benefit ratio in older populations before any recommendations could be made.