Telomeres and Aging

Telomeres exist at the ends of chromosomes (typically around 10,000 base pairs), and shorten with each cell division. When they become shorter than 5,000 base pairs, the cell can no longer divide. This phenomenon is considered one of the causes of aging.

In a case where exosomes derived from deciduous tooth pulp were administered via IV drip monthly for several years, no telomere shortening was observed. At least in this case, it suggests the possibility that the progression of aging was slowed.

At the time of the last telomere length measurement, this participant subject was 62 years old. His telomere length was within the top 1% of the distribution for people of the same age. This suggests the possibility that the exosomes had a significant effect in preventing telomere shortening.