Exercise, epigenetics, and aging
- Authors: Chilton, Warrick , Maier, Maier , Akinnibosun, Olutope , O’Brien, Brendan , Charchar, Fadi
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Book chapter
- Relation: Epigenetics of Exercise and Sports: Concepts, Methods, and Current Research Chapter 27 p. 127-182
- Full Text: false
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- Description: This chapter introduces the epigenetic processes that govern how exercise affects the aging processes. We begin with an introduction to the molecular changes that occur with aging including methylation and histone and noncoding RNA modifications. We then present the evidence for changes in these processes by exercise and physical activity, Lastly, we present evidence for and against a role for exercise on changes in telomere length and aging. © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Telomeres, aging and exercise : Guilty by association?
- Authors: Chilton, Warrick , O’Brien, Brendan , Charchar, Fadi
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: International Journal of Molecular Sciences Vol. 18, no. 12 (2017), p. 1-32
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- Reviewed:
- Description: Telomeres are repetitive tandem DNA sequences that cap chromosomal ends protecting genomic DNA from enzymatic degradation. Telomeres progressively shorten with cellular replication and are therefore assumed to correlate with biological and chronological age. An expanding body of evidence suggests (i) a predictable inverse association between telomere length, aging and age-related diseases and (ii) a positive association between physical activity and telomere length. Both hypotheses have garnered tremendous research attention and broad consensus; however, the evidence for each proposition is inconsistent and equivocal at best. Telomere length does not meet the basic criteria for an aging biomarker and at least 50% of key studies fail to find associations with physical activity. In this review, we address the evidence in support and refutation of the putative associations between telomere length, aging and physical activity. We finish with a brief review of plausible mechanisms and potential future research directions. © 2017 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.