Telomerase, an enzyme naturally found in the human organism, is the closest of all known substances to a "cellular elixir of youth." Its length is a laboratory measure of a cell's "age." In a recent study, Brazilian and US researchers show that sex hormones can stimulate production of this enzyme.
The strategy was tested in patients with genetic diseases associated with mutations in the gene that codes for telomerase, such as aplastic anemia and pulmonary fibrosis. The authors say that the results suggest that the approach can combat the damage caused to the organism by telomerase deficiency.
The study was performed by Brazilian researchers in collaboration with colleagues at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the US.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/07/160725224035.htm
The strategy was tested in patients with genetic diseases associated with mutations in the gene that codes for telomerase, such as aplastic anemia and pulmonary fibrosis. The authors say that the results suggest that the approach can combat the damage caused to the organism by telomerase deficiency.
The study was performed by Brazilian researchers in collaboration with colleagues at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the US.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/07/160725224035.htm
