Telomeres are like an hourglass of the cell. Each chromosome contains DNA that makes up many genes. Telomeres protect the end of the chromosome and the DNA in the chromosome. You are born with longer telomeres and they shorten at a constant rate throughout your life like the sand in an hourglass. When the sand runs out the cell stops dividing. It becomes senescent. Senescent cells put out inflammatory substances which make sand run out in the other cells faster. When the sand runs out in enough cells We get sick and then we die.
The scenescent cell puts out many substances beyond those that cause inflammation. They also produce growth factors like vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) that contributes to diabetic eye disease and ovarian cancer. Monoclonal antibodies against VEGF are used in diabetic eye disease and ovarian cancer. Avastin is a commonly used drug in this category. The best way to address ovarian cancer and diabetic eye disease is to slow telomere shortening—slow down the sand in the hourglass.
Senescent cells accumulate over time and may make up as many as one third of the cells in an older animal. This increase in senescent cells is linear and the substances put out by the cells slow down their removal. Telomere length also decreases in a linear fashion with time. The rate of telomere shortening changes related to a number of factors including oxidant production, genetics, epigenetics, social and economic status, exercise, body weight, and smoking. When telomere length reduction reaches a certain point, the cell becomes scenescent or dies. The more telomeres shorten, the more likely you are to have chronic illness. Diabetes occurs in people with shorter telomeres and it makes telomeres shorten more rapidly.
This finding is consistent across species. It is not the telomere length at birth that deterimine longevity, it is the rate of shortening and we can influence that. Certain proven, inexpensive generic medications are antioxidants that slow telomere shortening and cellular aging. Statins, losartan, lisinopril, metformin, and aspirin all slow telomere shortening. Moreover, high-risk diabetic patients on a protocol containing these medications live 8 years longer with fewer complications compared with patients on usual care.
The latest science of chronic diseases and aging is very exciting because it has practical application. I know that you have friends who want to maintain their independence and keep doing the things they enjoy. Please let them know about this site so that they can live longer healthier lives.
Great post! 🙏🙏🙏
The hourglass is the best image to help me describe telomere dynamics and their effect on aging and chronic disease to those I care for, as well as those that I love. Simplifying the concept has made it much easier to communicate thuis vital information. Thanks once more, Bill.