Reversal of brain aging by targeting telomerase: A nutraceutical approach

Tsoukalas,Dimitris; Buga,Ana Maria; Docea,Anca Oana; Sarandi,Evangelia; Mitrut,Radu; Renieri,Elisavet; Spandidos,Demetrios A.; Rogoveanu,Ion; Cercelaru,Liliana; Niculescu,Mihaela; Tsatsakis,Aristidis; Calina,Daniela

doi:10.3892/ijmm.2021.5032

Reversal of brain aging by targeting telomerase: A nutraceutical approach

Authors:
- Dimitris Tsoukalas
- Ana Maria Buga
- Anca Oana Docea
- Evangelia Sarandi
- Radu Mitrut
- Elisavet Renieri
- Demetrios A. Spandidos
- Ion Rogoveanu
- Liliana Cercelaru
- Mihaela Niculescu
- Aristidis Tsatsakis
- Daniela Calina
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Affiliations: Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania, Department of Biochemistry, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania, Department of Toxicology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania, Metabolomic Medicine, Health Clinic for Autoimmune and Chronic Diseases, 10674 Athens, Greece, Department of Cardiology, University and Emergency Hospital, 050098 Bucharest, Romania, Laboratory of Toxicology and Forensic Sciences, Medical School, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece, Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Medical School, University of Crete, 71409 Heraklion, Greece, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania, Department of Anatomy and Embryology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
Published online on: September 10, 2021 https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2021.5032
Article Number: 199
Copyright: © Tsoukalas et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Telomeres, the protective caps of chromosomes, shorten with age, as telomerase, the enzyme responsible for the compensation of telomere erosion, is inactive in the majority of cells. Telomere shortening and subsequent cell senescence lead to tissue aging and age‑related diseases. Neurodegenerative disorders, characterized by the progressive loss of neurons among other hallmarks of aged tissue, and poor cognitive function, have been associated with a short telomere length. Thus, telomerase activity has emerged as a therapeutic target, with novel agents being under investigation. The present study aimed to examine the effects of a novel natural telomerase activator, ‘Reverse™’, containing Centella asiatica extract, vitamin C, zinc and vitamin D3 on the brains of 18‑month‑old rats. The administration of the ‘Reverse™’ supplement for 3 months restored telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) expression in the brains of rats, as revealed by ELISA and immunohistochemistry. In addition, the findings from PCR‑ELISA demonstrated an enhanced telomerase activity in the cerebellum and cortex cells in the brains of rats treated with the ‘Reverse™’ supplement. The histopathological findings confirmed a structural reversibility effect close to the differentiation observed in the young control group of rats treated with two capsules/kg body weight of the ‘Reverse™’ supplement. On the whole, the findings of the present study provide a strong indication that an increased telomerase activity and TERT expression may be achieved not only in the postnatal or embryonic period, but also in the brains of middle‑aged rats through nutraceutical supplementation. The use of the ‘Reverse™’ supplement may thus contribute to the potential alleviation of a number of central nervous system diseases.

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