Telomeres and their role in aging and longevity.

Telomeres are DNA-protein structures that form protective caps at the end of eukaryotic chromosomes. They constitute the safeguards of chromosome degradation and are responsible for maintaining genomic integrity. The multifactorial nature of telomere length (TL) regulation increases the perplexity of studies in the field.

Influence of the AGTR1 A1166C genotype on the progression of arterial stiffness: A 16-year longitudinal study.

Background: We examined the influence of the AGTR1 A1166C genotype on the 16-year evolution of pulse wave velocity (PWV) in a middle-aged population. In a cross-sectional study, we reported that the presence of the AGTR1 1166C allele was associated with higher aortic stiffness compared with the AGTR1 1166AA genotype.

Methods: The study was conducted in 259 subjects who underwent 3 health check-ups over 16 years at the Centre IPC-Paris: an initial visit in 1992-1993, an intermediate visit in 1998-1999, and a final visit in 2007-2008.

Fatty acids impair endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation: a link between obesity and arterial stiffness in very old Zucker rats.

To analyze age-related interactions between obesity, its associated metabolic disorders, and macrocirculation, we studied large artery stiffness and fatty acid responsiveness in lean and obese Zucker rats, aged 25 (adult) and 80 weeks (very old). Systolic arterial pressure was higher in old obese than in old lean rats (178 ± 10 vs 134 ± 8 mmHg, respectively). Carotid elastic modulus-wall stress curves showed increased age-dependent arterial stiffening, which was greater in obese animals.

Klotho KL-VS genotype is involved in blood pressure regulation.

Background And Aims: Genome-wide linkage analysis studies reported the importance of the long arm of chromosome 13 in systolic blood pressure regulation. Therefore, isolating a genetic variant related to this chromosomal region could be challenging. Klotho KL-VS allele is located on this chromosomal region and its relationships with cardio-vascular risk factors need extensive investigations.

Leukocyte telomere length is inversely correlated with plasma Von Willebrand factor.

Introduction: Leukocyte telomere length (LTL) is short, while the plasma level of Von Willebrand (VWF) is high in persons with atherosclerosis. Moreover, both short LTLs and high VWF levels are observed in individuals who display risks for atherosclerosis, including hypertension, obesity, insulin resistance, cigarette smoking and low socio-economic status. We examined the association between LTL and VWF plasma levels to test the hypothesis that high levels of VWF promote an increase in the turnover of blood cells, including leukocytes.

Immune constitution monitoring after PBMC transplantation in complete DiGeorge syndrome: an eight-year follow-up.

A young boy with a confirmed complete DiGeorge Syndrome (cDGS) underwent a peripheral blood mononuclear cell transplantation (PBMCT) from his HLA-identical sister at 4.5 years of age, without a conditioning regimen. Eight years later, he is healthy with good immunological functions in the presence of a stable mixed T-cell chimerism.

Chronic oxidative stress induces a tissue-specific reduction in telomere length in CAST/Ei mice.

We examine whether increased oxidative stress in vivo promotes telomere shortening in CAST/Ei mice. We explored the effects of L-buthionine sulfoximine treatment (BSO) on telomere length. BSO shortened telomere length in white fat, brown fat, skin, tail, and testis in concert with diminished tissue glutathione content, increased tissue carbonyl content, and increased plasma advanced oxidized protein products.

White blood cells telomere length is shorter in males with type 2 diabetes and microalbuminuria.

Objective: To examine differences in telomere (terminal restriction fragment [TRF]) length and pulse wave velocity (PWV)--an index of arterial stiffness--in patients with type 2 diabetes with and without microalbuminuria (MA).

Research Design And Methods: A total of 84 men with type 2 diabetes, 40 with MA and 44 without MA (aged 63.5 +/- 9.

Aldosterone and telomere length in white blood cells.

Background: Aldosterone accelerates cardiovascular aging by mechanisms that generate reactive oxygen species. Telomere length in white blood cells (WBCs) may be a bioindicator that registers the accruing burden of systemic oxidative stress. The aim of the present study was, therefore, to examine the relationship between plasma aldosterone and telomere length in WBCs.

Metabolic syndrome and age-related progression of aortic stiffness.

Unlabelled: Aortic stiffness measured from pulse wave velocity (PWV) was studied during a six-year period in a population of subjects with zero to three and more cardiovascular (CV) factors involving hypertension, body mass index, dyslipidemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and hyperglycemia. During the follow-up, the increase in PWV was significantly higher in subjects with three and more CV risk factors (i.e.

Mechanisms implicated in the effects of boron on wound healing.

Recently, we demonstrated that boron modulates the turnover of the extracellular matrix and increases TNFalpha release. In the present study, we used an in vitro test to investigate the direct effect of boron on specific enzymes (elastase, trypsin-like enzymes, collagenase and alkaline phosphatase) implicated in extracellular matrix turnover. Boron decreased the elastase and alkaline phosphatase activity, but had no effect on trypsin and collagenase activities.