Caffeine promotes the expression of telomerase reverse transcriptase to regulate cellular senescence and aging. Issue 7 (15th March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tao, Li; Zhang, Wei; Zhang, Yaxin; Zhang, Mei; Zhang, Yueying; Niu, Xing; Zhao, Qing; Liu, Zhenxing; Li, Yuyin; Diao, Aipo
• Is Part Of: Food & function. Volume 12:Issue 7(2021)
• Page Start: 2914
• Page End: 2924
• Publication Date: 2021-03-15
• Subjects: Food -- Analysis -- Periodicals; Food -- Composition -- Periodicals; Nutrition -- Periodicals; 664.07
• DOI: 10.1039/d0fo03246h
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2042-6496

Abstract

Abstract : Caffeine promotes expression of TERT, consequently increases telomere length, prevents cellular senescence and delays aging phenotypes in mice. Abstract : Telomere shortening is one of the main causes of cellular senescence. Caffeine is a natural stimulant most commonly found in coffee and tea. In this study, caffeine was found to promote the expression of telomerase reverse transcriptase ( TERT ) at both mRNA and protein levels, and consequently extended the telomere length and prevented cellular senescence. Knockdown of TERT eliminated the effect of caffeine on telomere elongation. Moreover, animal studies indicated that caffeine promoted the expression of TERT and extended the telomere length in the thymus and spleen of mice treated with caffeine for a long period of eight months. In addition, caffeine restored the decline of organ index and improved the histological structural change of the thymus, spleen and liver of mice due to aging. These results suggest that caffeine promotes the expression of TERT to delay cellular senescence and aging, which help to understand the mechanism for the beneficial effects of caffeine containing foods on health.