Faculty of Pharmacy, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 6 Traian Vuia Street, 020956 Bucharest, Romania.
Laboratory of Toxicology and Forensic Sciences, Medical School, University of Crete, Voutes, 71003 Heraklion, Greece.
Int J Mol Sci. 2024 Jul 13;25(14):7694. doi: 10.3390/ijms25147694.
Telomeres are part of chromatin structures containing repeated DNA sequences, which function as protective caps at the ends of chromosomes and prevent DNA degradation and recombination, thus ensuring the integrity of the genome. While telomere length (TL) can be genetically inherited, TL shortening has been associated with ageing and multiple xenobiotics and bioactive substances. TL has been characterised as a reliable biomarker for the predisposition to developing chronic pathologies and their progression. This narrative review aims to provide arguments in favour of including TL measurements in a complex prognostic and diagnostic panel of chronic pathologies and the importance of assessing the effect of different pharmacologically active molecules on the biology of telomeres. Medicines used in the management of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, schizophrenia, hormone replacement therapy at menopause, danazol, melatonin, and probiotics have been studied for their positive protective effects against TL shortening. All these classes of drugs are analysed in the present review, with a particular focus on the molecular mechanisms involved.
端粒是含有重复 DNA 序列的染色质结构的一部分，作为染色体末端的保护帽，可防止 DNA 降解和重组，从而确保基因组的完整性。虽然端粒长度（TL）可以遗传，但 TL 缩短与衰老和多种外源性物质和生物活性物质有关。TL 已被确定为易患慢性病理和进展的可靠生物标志物。本综述旨在提供论据，支持将 TL 测量纳入慢性病理的复杂预后和诊断面板，并强调评估不同药理活性分子对端粒生物学的影响的重要性。用于治疗心血管疾病、糖尿病、精神分裂症、绝经后激素替代疗法、丹那唑、褪黑素和益生菌的药物已被研究其对 TL 缩短的积极保护作用。本综述分析了所有这些类别的药物，特别关注涉及的分子机制。
