Abstract:

BACKGROUND: α-linolenic acid and vitamin A, C, E can prevent aging. However, the mechanism is still not clear. Numerous studies have documented that telomerase can protect cells from aging. In our knowledge, no research showed that compound of linolenic acid and vitamin can protect cells from aging by promoting activity of telomerase.
OBJECTIVE: α-linolenic acid and vitamin A, C, E compound was used to observe the telomerase mRNA expression, telomerase activity, and telomere shortening velocity, to explore whether α-linolenic acid and vitamin A, C, E compound can delay aging by promoting activity of telomerase. 
METHODS: Old mice (22 months old) were grouped randomly: old control group, α-linolenic acid, group; α-linolenic acid + vitamin E group; α-linolenic acid + vitamin C group; α-linolenic acid + vitamin A group; and α-linolenic acid + vitamin E+A+C group. 2 months old mice were served as young control. All mice livers were taken out at 30 days after intragastric administration for measurement of telomerase mRNA expression by RT-PCR.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: A higher expression of telomerase mRNA was showed in young mice compared with old control mice (P < 0.05). The expression of telomerase mRNA in all 5 groups treated by α-linolenic acid and/or vitamin was obviously increased compared with old control group (P < 0.01). Compared with the young control group, the expression of telomerase mRNA in all 4 groups treated by α-linolenic acid + vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin C, and vitamin ACE was obviously increased (P < 0.01). The inter experimental groups comparison showed that, the group treated by α-linolenic acid+vitamin ACE had a higher expression of telomerase mRNA (P < 0.01). The present study show that, combined application of α-linolenic acid + vitamin A, C, E can enhance activity of telomerase, prevent shorten of telomere and protect cells from aging.