It is worth mentioning that telomere shortening is one of the key signs of aging. Telomeres are the end structures of chromosomes that help maintain their stability. When telomeres become very short or modified, they trigger a sustained DNA damage response that leads to cellular senescence, a phenomenon in which cells release inflammatory factors that cause tissue damage that promotes aging and cancer.
On June 21, 2024, the team of Professor Ronald DePinho of the MD Anderson Cancer Center of the University of Texas, USA, published a paper in the leading international academic journal Cell entitled: TERT activation targets DNA methylation and multiple aging hallmarks.
The study identified a small molecule compound that can restore physiological levels of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) and reverse aging in organisms. In animal models of aging, restoring TERT levels reduces cellular aging and tissue inflammation, stimulates the formation of new neurons, improves memory, and enhances neuromuscular function, resulting in increased strength and coordination.
This study shows that in preclinical models, signs and symptoms of aging can be significantly reduced by restoring telomerase to "youthful" levels. If the findings are confirmed in clinical studies, they could have positive therapeutic implications for age-related diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, heart disease and cancer.
