Telomerase: Biochemical Fountain of Youth...?

[woodyvoinche]

Telomeres are the molecular caps that protect the ends of each chromosomes in each cell of the body.
These telomeres shorten with each round of cell division and DNA replication...this telomere "shortening" has been associated with cell aging...and senescence...

The enzyme Telomerase(produced by the hTERT gene)(www.sierrasci.com/science.htm)which is expressed in embryonic cells causes the elongation of these telomeres and extends the life span of the cell...

Researchers have notice the Teleomere Position Effect(TPE)...that when a cell is young and the Telomere is long "aging genes" are located near the telomere and not expressed...in an old cell when the telomere is short..."the 'aging genes' are no longer repressed. Silencing is switched off and the 'aging genes' activated."(LIFE EXTENSION magazine, Oct. 2002, p. 59)

Some research is being done with telomerase and the inserting of the telomerase gene into injured organs and the effect on organ regeneration...some research has been done with mice that have chronic liver injury...the telomerase gene was inserted into the liver and prevented cirrhosis...other possibilities involve removing cells from organs...treating these cells in vitro with telomerase...And then re-introducing these cells back into the organ...it could help people with diabetes...emphysema...cirrhosis...major media is just not reporting on this cutting edge research...?

woody voinche

 

[woodyvoinche]

... www.lef.org ...

 

[waltky]

A long life could be had with statins...

Statins Could Extend Life
August 30, 2013 > Statins, long prescribed to those with high cholesterol, may actually prevent aging and extend lifespan, according to new research in the September 2012 issue of The FASEB Journal.

The research indicates that statins reduce the speed at which telomeres shorten, a key factor in the aging process. A telomere is a region of DNA strand at the end of a chromosome that protects the end of the chromosome from deterioration.

“Statins may represent a new molecular switch able to slow down senescent [aging] cells in our tissues and be able to lead healthy lifespan extension," said Giuseppe Paolisso, M.D., Ph.D., a researcher involved in the work from the Department of Internal Medicine, Surgical, Neurological Metabolic Disease and Geriatric Medicine at Second University of Naples in Naples, Italy.

Researchers worked with two volunteer groups to test statins’ effects on telomeres. One group was under statin therapy, while the second group did not use the drugs. The group using statins had higher telomerase activity in their white blood cells, which was associated with less shortening of the telomeres.

The researchers say higher telomerase activation prevents the excessive accumulation of short telomeres. "The great thing about statins is that they reduce risks for cardiovascular disease significantly and are generally safe for most people. The bad thing is that statins do have side effects, like muscle injury," said Gerald Weissmann, M.D., editor-in-chief of The FASEB Journal. "But if it is confirmed that statins might actually slow aging itself—and not just the symptoms of aging—then statins are much more powerful drugs than we ever thought."

Statins Could Extend Life