Scientists analyzed telomeres to conclude the research; Chromosome ends that measure biological aging
This is suggested by a study conducted by the Center for Healthy Aging of the University of Copenhagen (Denmark). women shows the first signs of aging from the age of 19, but that the process is more gradual. We menthey appear later, around age 40, but accelerate after that age.
- To reach this conclusion, the researchers analyzed cellular senescence markers in 33 million biopsies of 4.9 million people of all ages between 1970 and 2018, according to a report published by the newspaper El País;
- However, despite the large sample, this is one of the limitations of the study: all are subjects undergoing examination for some pathology.
“Biopsies were taken only when participants sought medical assistance. Therefore, it may appear that male aging starts later because men tend to seek medical help when their symptoms are more advanced, unlike women,” comments Morten Scheibye-Knudsen, co-author of the study, in the journal New Scientist.
For Manuel Tena-Sempere, professor of Physiology at the University of Córdoba (Argentina), “probably the most differentiating factor is the menopause because in the case of women there is a drastic interruption in the secretion of ovarian hormones and this has an important impact on the short, medium and long term that can affect female aging”.
“In the case of men,” he adds, “if there is a decrease in androgen levels, it is gradual and its impact and consequences are very different,” the researcher includes.
Tissue ageing
The study also points out that not all fabrics age equally.
- This investigation focused on telomeres (the ends of chromosomes), the shortening of which is an indicator of biological ageing.
- Telomeres, explains the CSIC researcher, “are not coding, but they are very important when cells divide. They shorten throughout life, but also in response to stress, so they’re not indicators of chronological age, but of biological age.”
- The study was conducted on five different tissues of a species of frog (Xenopus laevis) because its metamorphosis, from embryo to larval and adult stages, allows for very rapid changes to be observed.
“We can see how these developmental changes affect different organs, such as animals that grow faster have shorter telomeres,” Burraco explains.
“Changes in different organs respond to very different dynamics. For example, in the liver, which grows a lot over a lifetime, we see a shortening over time, a pattern expected during more or less gradual aging. But the heart remains very stable from the beginning of life,” she says.
It is along this line that scientists want to continue their research: to analyze how the increase in telomerase activity or the reduction of oxidative stress affect the dynamics of aging.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
