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Telomeres and the ageing process

Part of: Bespoke shallow archive Weizmann

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 February 2010

Jean Woo ,
Eddie Suen  and
Nelson LS Tang
Jean Woo*
Affiliation:
Department of Medicine & Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong
Eddie Suen
Affiliation:
Department of Medicine & Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong
Nelson LS Tang
Affiliation:
Department of Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong
*
Address for correspondence: Professor Jean Woo, Department of Medicine & Therapeutics, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong. Email: jeanwoowong@cuhk.edu.hk
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Summary

Telomere length is a reflection of cumulative oxidative and inflammatory stress throughout the life course, as well as oestrogen exposure. There is evidence that telomere length is associated with lifespan; however, it does not appear to be a better indicator of biological age than chronological age, even though it can be considered a biomarker of ageing. There are studies showing association between leukocyte telomere length and many of the common diseases of ageing, lifestyle factors and socioeconomic status. However, the associations are less marked among older people. Research in the area of manipulation of genetic control of telomerase activity controlling telomere length may have clinical applications in future.

Keywords

telomereslifespanageingfrailtychronic disease
Type
Biological gerontology
Information
Reviews in Clinical Gerontology , Volume 20 , Issue 1 , February 2010 , pp. 1 - 9
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2010

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