Telomeres DNA information
Telomeres are tiny strands of DNA at the ends of chromosomes that seem to
influence aging. Telomeres protect the ends of chromosomes from fraying. They
shorten each time a cell divides and the loss is associated with aging. As
telomeres get smaller, the chromosomes can become unstable and at greater risk
of mutation.
Telomere and heart disease
Telomeres may influence coronary heart disease.
British researchers measured telomere length in the white blood cells
(leukocytes) of 1,500 men between 45 and 64 years old, found short telomeres
indicate a higher likelihood of developing heart disease. Professor Nilesh
Samani, of the University of Leicester in England, compared the length of
telomeres of 484 men who went on to develop heart disease and 1,058 healthy men,
found shorter telomere length was linked to disease risk. In addition to
pinpointing which men might develop heart disease, the findings by Nilesh Samani
and his team could tell doctors who test for telomere length to help identify
men would benefit from taking cholesterol-lowering medicines or supplements to
reduce their risk of heart disease.
Telomeres shorten with stress
The stress of taking care of someone with Alzheimer's influences the genetic
material in their cells. Caregivers of Alzheimer's patients have a shortening of
the telomeres, the genetic material at the end of chromosomes that promotes
error-free cell division. Telomeres gradually shorten over time. The changes in
telomeres are seen in immune cells known as peripheral blood mononuclear cells
but represent the whole cell population in the body. Researchers looked at 41
people caring for loved ones with Alzheimer's disease and 41 individuals matched
by age who weren't caring for an ill person. Their telomeres were significantly
shorter than those of the control individuals.
The caregivers had greater activation of telomerase, the enzyme responsible for
repairing telomeres which mayreflect the attempt of cells to compensate for the
excessive loss of telomeres. The Journal of Immunology, September 15, 2007.