Scientists from Belgium and Germany experimentally proved that fasting and exercise endurance prevent the imminent shortening of telomeres and therefore slow the aging process. A study published in the journal Science Advances.
In the first stage of experiments, geneticists have analyzed the end portions of human chromosomes and found protein PGC-1α. The protein interacts with telomeres on the site, where the transcription of TERRA molecules. The latter is Nicodemou RNA to ensure the integrity of telomeres.
In the second phase, the scientists found that the protein PGC-1α is involved in energy metabolism of the cell. In particular, the proteins act as switches that trigger the transcription of TERRA molecules with the appearance of a variety of stimuli, in particular, exercise endurance and calorie restriction.
Scientists conducted experiments
Image: Aurélie Diman and Anabelle Decottignies
Conducted by scientists in ten healthy volunteers, experiments have shown that 45 minutes of Cycling in skeletal muscle recent increase in the number of TERRA molecules. This, in turn, were positively correlated with activation of the enzyme AMPK that is involved in the launch of PGC-1α.
Monitoring of cyclists and experiments with cultured muscle cells has allowed scientists to assume that the transcription of TERRA molecules is regulated by the enzyme AMPK, the development of which occurs after exercise and in starvation. The study, researchers experimentally confirmed the effectiveness of physical exercise and fasting as measures to delay aging.
Telomeres constitute the end portions of chromosomes, which are believed to perform a protective function in the chromosomes. Since infancy, their size gradually decreasing: on average up to two times to adulthood and to four — to the elderly. According to scientists, this is one of the reasons for the aging of the human body.
