Pharmacotherapeutic Considerations on Telomere Biology: The Positive Effect of Pharmacologically Active Substances on Telomere Length.

Ageing is an inherent biological process characterised by the gradual decline of physical condition, leading to the impairment of several physiological functions [ 16 ]. This process is both ubiquitous and unavoidable. Specific alterations are harmless, such as the greying of hair, while others lead to a decrease in the functioning of the senses and the ability to perform daily activities, as well as a greater vulnerability to sickness, weakness, and disability [ 17 ]. Ageing is a result of the gradual reduction in the TL, programmed cell death, or the development of cancerous cells in non-reproductive cells, which impacts the overall well-being and duration of life of an individual. There is a correlation between shorter telomeres and higher rates of illnesses and worse survival rates [ 18 ]. Cellular senescence, which has significant impacts on the regulation of normal tissue balance and the development of diseases, is another primary contributing component to the ageing process and the onset of age-related ailments [ 19 ]. Senescence triggers initiate targeted modifications in intracellular processes in order to establish a durable cessation of the cell cycle. The initiation of this process occurs at the INK4A-ARF locus, which contains genes that suppress tumours and is located in the chromosomal region 9p21. The expression of the gene at the specific location is often suppressed by Polycomb Repressive Complexes 1 and 2 (PRC1 and 2). The breakdown of PRC1/2 leads to the activation of genes and the transcription of two distinct proteins, including p16 INK4A and p14 ARF . These abnormalities are linked to the development of cancer and activate oncogene-induced senescence as a preventive measure [ 20 ]. Recent findings indicate that ageing is strongly linked to altered communication between cells, damage to DNA, exhaustion of stem cells, depletion of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide levels, dysfunction of mitochondria, imbalance of protein levels, impaired macro-autophagy, inflammation, disrupted nutrient sensing, and an imbalance in the gut microbiota [ 21 ]. Moreover, the process of ageing is propelled at the cellular level by stochastic molecular harm that gradually builds up over time. While cells do have processes to repair or eliminate damage, their effectiveness is not perfect and decreases as they age [ 22 ]. Epigenetic changes, including alterations to histone chromatin remodelling and DNA methylation, gradually occur in the cells of ageing individuals. These changes are linked to ageing characteristics and the onset of age-related disorders [ 23 ]. Given that genomic mutations are irreversible, whereas epigenetic modifications can be reversed, targeting the reversal of epigenetic modifications is a viable strategy for treating cells with the goal of postponing ageing [ 24 ]. In contrast to the process of telomere shortening, which initiates cellular ageing, telomerase reverses this process by restoring missing DNA sequences throughout cell division, thereby adding time to the molecular clock and increasing the cell’s lifespan [ 25 ]. Nevertheless, the quantity of telomerase decreases following each cell division [ 26 ]. Therefore, modern medicine has been focusing on finding potent telomerase activators in order to slow down the ageing process [ 27 ]. Besides telomerase activation, there exists an alternate method for lengthening telomeres known as ALT (alternative lengthening of telomeres). However, this process is only found in aberrant settings, such as in cancer cells, immortalised cell lines, and mouse cell deletion for the telomerase gene. Normal human lymphocytes are unable to utilise ALT to preserve their telomeres [ 26 , 28 ]. Basically, ALT tumours maintain their ability to divide indefinitely by lengthening their telomeres throughout the G2 and M stages of the cell cycle using a specific break-induced replication pathway. This can clarify the reasons behind therapeutic failures and resistance to anti-cancer therapy that is based on telomerase suppression [ 29 ]. Degenerative pathologies facilitate the ageing process by inducing a progressive accumulation of mutations, preventing cell division, and making cells more vulnerable to apoptosis. Basically, human cells have the ability to divide a finite number of times until they reach a state called senescence, when division is no longer possible [ 26 ]. Cellular senescence is triggered by internal and external stressors such as activation of oncogenes, telomere dysfunction, and long-term DNA damage. The extrinsic mechanisms of senescent cells, generally characterised by the amplification of the secretory phenotype associated with senescence, intensify the intrinsic proliferative arrest inside a cell and contribute to the development of pathologies related to ageing and defective tissue regeneration [ 30 , 31 ]. Elimination of senescent cells may reduce tissue dysfunction associated with ageing, while senescence, in some cases, may serve as a potent anti-tumour mechanism by inhibiting the growth of potentially malignant cells [ 32 ].

Cardiovascular diseases (CD) continue to represent a primary factor in premature death while increasing the costs of health systems. Various factors lead to the burden of CD, including environmental, lifestyle, cardiometabolic, and social aspects [ 33 , 34 ]. Pharmacotherapeutic regimens for CD management target the main risk factors, namely obesity, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, and smoking. Even so, a large number of patients acquire CD without presenting these risk factors. For this reason, the exact understanding of the pathological mechanisms involved in the development of CD has been insufficient until now [ 35 ]. Various empirical studies have demonstrated an important correlation between reduced TL and increased cardiovascular risk [ 36 , 37 , 38 ]. Telomere shortening and dysfunction are etiological factors in the development and aggravation of CD associated with ageing [ 38 ]. Excessively shortened telomeres trigger cell senescence, followed by apoptosis, and have been identified as a biomarker in the progression of arteriosclerosis and arterial plaque instability [ 39 ]. In practice, TL serves as a credible indicator of the combined impact of oxidative stress and inflammation accumulated during life. An aberrantly shortened TL has been attributed to increased susceptibility to CD, a greater chance of developing cardiovascular risk factors, and the possibility of sudden death from a cardiovascular cause [ 39 , 40 ]. The close causal relationship between a reduction in TL in different types of cells and the presence of atherosclerosis, ischemic cardiovascular disease, myocardial infarction, and sudden death from cardiovascular causes suggests that average TL and telomerase activity are important biomarkers in cellular ageing [ 41 ]. Insufficient blood pressure control, determined in the ambulatory over 24 h, was attributed to a low serum concentration of telomerase reverse transcriptase, an unfavourable metabolic profile of adipose tissue, and an aberrant endothelium function [ 42 ]. Moreover, by analysing the data obtained in the Framingham study, it was concluded that the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), characterised by a high concentration of the renin-angiotensin ratio in serum, has an increased prevalence of shortening TL in patients with arterial hypertension [ 43 ]. Therefore, it was concluded that therapeutic agents that intervene in the RAS present therapeutic opportunities for efficiently controlling blood pressure, improving patient survival rates, and protecting telomeres from the factors involved in their shortening. A study that included 156 patients with type II hypertension of whom 96 had type 2 diabetes as a comorbidity, hypothesised that patients with double comorbidity have a much shorter TL. Achieving optimal blood pressure through pharmacotherapy has proven more effective in preserving TL than efficient blood sugar control [ 44 ]. The physiological ageing process is associated with multiple changes in the body’s functioning, structure, and physiological mechanisms, all of which are very similar to the changes induced by hypertension [ 19 ]. The components of the circulatory system are subject to multiple changes, such as vascular remodelling, inflammation, increased stiffness, endothelial dysfunction, and calcification. The molecular mechanisms and cellular processes that cause vascular alterations both in the case of hypertension and in the case of the physiological ageing process include oxidative stress, an abnormal transmission of signals, and the activation of transcription factors that promote inflammation and fibrosis [ 45 ]. Thus, hypertension and the cardiovascular changes caused by it represent a critical therapeutic target for CD management and for preserving TL. At the same time, the pharmacologically active drugs used are the main pillars for obtaining optimal results. Statins are first-line drugs that reduce the risk of cardiovascular events and are considered the gold standard for the treatment of dyslipidaemia. Hydroxy-methyl-glutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase catalyses the transformation of HMG-CoA into mevalonic acid, a critical step in the production of endogenous cholesterol. Thus, statins reduce cholesterol synthesis in the liver by competitively inhibiting the HMG-CoA enzyme [ 46 , 47 , 48 ]. In addition to their increased potency as lipid-lowering drugs, statins possess a series of pleiotropic actions independent of their main action. The most studied pleiotropic effects are antioxidant activity, rebalancing endothelial function, stabilising the atherosclerosis plaque, anti-inflammatory effects, protective effects in the progression of neurological disorders, and antithrombotic action [ 49 , 50 ]. Statin treatment has been reported to impact the length of telomere G-tails. Thus, statins are hypothesised to prevent the aberrant shortening of telomeres at a molecular level by interacting with the telomere/telomerase system and combating oxidative stress [ 51 ]. Statins regulate cellular pathways of oxidation that govern the activity of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and myeloperoxidase [ 52 ]. This modulation promotes an antioxidant effect that restores the endogenous redox balance [ 53 ]. At the same time, statins influence the signalling of nuclear factor erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), leading to cellular defence against reactive oxygen species [ 53 , 54 ]. These molecules substantially enhance the ability of Nrf2 to bind to DNA and stimulate HO-1 and glutathione peroxidase activation. Thus, through the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) cellular pathway, statins activate Nrf2, an effect that culminates in inhibiting the formation of reactive oxygen species [ 55 ]. Various cells, such as vascular smooth muscle cells, endothelial cells, endothelial progenitor cells, and chondrocytes, can undergo cellular senescence, while statins effectively counteract this process [ 56 ]. Reducing oxidative stress, promoting increased glutathione synthesis, inhibiting protein prenylation that induces DNA damage, inhibiting subsequent signalling from impaired DNA, and accelerating DNA repair are all potential ways statins protect against DNA damage [ 57 ]. Moreover, the telomere-capping protein TRF2, which helps stabilise the telomeric structure, has its expression upregulated by statins. Increased TRF2 expression in the endothelium and other relevant cells may be responsible, at least in part, for the reduction in clinical events in patients with shorter telomeres using statins. This is mainly due to the fact that telomere dysfunction might be caused by a loss of TRF2 [ 56 , 58 ]. Figure 2 illustrates some of the molecular mechanisms of statin therapy in telomere biology. A cross-sectional study that included 3496 participants found that statin therapy directly correlates with increased telomerase activity [ 58 ]. Additionally, according to the latest clinical studies, statin therapy can decrease the frequency of clinical events [ 59 , 60 ]. Still, this effect is limited to the case where TL drastically endangers the patients’ lives. This provides solid arguments in favour of using TL as a marker in diagnosing cardiovascular diseases and may serve as a valuable tool for physicians to divide critical patient categories and appropriate regimens based on TL [ 61 ]. In a study conducted by Bennaceur et al., a 6-fold increase in telomerase activity was seen in human and mouse peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and CD4 T cells after being treated with atorvastatin at concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 0.3 μM, which resulted in modest proliferation of T lymphocytes. Telomerase activity was disabled, and proliferation was entirely reduced by high doses of atorvastatin (2–5 μM) or LDL cholesterol. The proliferative effects of atorvastatin were abolished in the absence of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT). During the initial five months, the percentage of telomerase-positive lymphocytes in transgenic GFP-mTert reporter mice dropped from 30% to 15%. As a result, the authors concluded that, throughout the course of typical development and maturation, lymphocyte telomerase activity declines in vivo alongside immune cell turnover [ 62 ]. After controlling for chronic inflammation and oxidative stress markers, atorvastatin treatment remained the sole independent predictor of telomerase activity changes in a multiple-regression analysis. Treatment with atorvastatin was linked to normal-range increases in interleukin-6 (IL-6) and a trend towards decreased blood urea. Based on these preliminary findings of a study conducted by Strazhesko et al., atorvastatin may have a role as a geroprotector and telomerase activator [ 63 ]. Drugs from the class of calcium channel blockers (CCB) are divided into two categories: dihydropyridines and non-dihydropyridines. These have multiple pharmacotherapeutic indications, including arterial hypertension, angina pectoris, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, pulmonary hypertension, and supraventricular arrhythmia [ 64 ]. By inhibiting calcium entry into cells, CCB helps lower blood pressure and can be used with other pharmacotherapeutic regimens. CCBs of the non-dihydropyridine type show more pronounced chronotropic and inotropic effects than the dihydropyridine ones, especially relevant for patients with supraventricular arrhythmias [ 65 ]. For these reasons, CCBs are recommended as the first-line option in the treatment of hypertension [ 66 , 67 ]. Regarding the molecular mechanisms on telomeres, CCBs have been identified as having a protective effect on TL through a mechanism dependent on eNOS, which gives them an effect against cellular senescence [ 68 ]. CCB possesses antioxidant activity at the level of cellular structures and prevents the inactivation of telomerase, increasing the activity of eNOS during the vascular endothelial senescence process [ 69 ]. A study by Tand et al. showed that patients using CCB showed significant reductions in DNA-methylation and functional biological ages, in contrast to those who did not take these medications. The conclusion implies that CCBs may have the capacity to decrease biological ageing, as indicated by the biomarkers analysed in the study [ 70 ]. Moreover, some positive correlations were drawn between TL and the decrease in systolic blood pressure and pulse, especially in the case of patients under treatment with CCB and ARB [ 71 ]. RAS is involved in maintaining homeostasis and controlling vasoconstriction. However, this system is responsible for causing fibrosis, inducing inflammation, and oxidative stress. The main product of RAS is angiotensin II, which was discovered to be involved in developing chronic pathologies associated with ageing [ 72 , 73 ]. Angiotensin II binds to the angiotensin type 1 receptor (AT1R), induces physiopathological changes accompanied by marked oxidative stress, and is linked to mitochondrial dysfunction and telomere erosion [ 74 ]. In this direction, the development of pharmacologically active agents capable of influencing the RAS represented a new therapeutic opportunity. AT1R antagonists (ARB) such as losartan, candesartan, telmisartan, etc., and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) such as captopril, lisinopril, enalapril, etc., can restore the functioning of endothelial progenitor cells by facilitating communication between telomerase enzymes [ 75 ]. Figure 3 depicts the RAS’s involvement in TL shortening and the mechanisms by which ARB and ACEi counteract these effects. The protective action of ARB on cognitive decline associated with cerebral vascular aneurysms and ageing has been demonstrated in clinical studies [ 76 , 77 ]. Several authors have concluded that blocking the RAS with antagonistic pharmacological agents is an optimal technique to slow the physiological ageing process [ 74 , 78 ]. In the Framingham Heart Study, Vasan et al. highlighted that adults with an increased renin-angiotensin ratio, characteristic of patients with hypertension, have a shorter TL [ 43 ]. Another study determined the TL of pregnant women through natural pregnancy, in vitro fertilisation, and intracytoplasmic sperm injection. The conclusion emphasised an inversely proportional correlation between serum renin concentration in the first trimester and TL, as women who became pregnant through in vitro fertilisation or intracytoplasmic sperm injection had shorter TL than those who experienced a naturally occurring pregnancy [ 79 ]. Both murine models of arterial hypertension and in vitro studies have emphasised the negative effect of RAS on TL and the fact that pharmacological agents that intervene in this system manage to offer additional protection against telomere erosion [ 80 ]. In an in vivo study, the group treated with a combination of angiotensin II and losartan showed increased TL, decreased staining of β-galactosidase, and reduced expression of p53 and p21 compared to the group treated with angiotensin II alone. This study validates the hypothesis that angiotensin II triggers the reduction in TL, the production of p53 and p21, the halting of the cell cycle, and the consequent cellular senescence. Furthermore, losartan effectively decreased the rate at which telomeres shorten and prevented cellular senescence [ 81 ]. Fyhrquist et al. analysed two consecutive DNA samples from 132 patients with type 1 diabetes. This study concluded that short TL is a predictive biomarker for the development and progression of type 1 diabetes. In addition, the authors outlined that patients who followed an ARB or ACEi therapy had longer TL than patients using other classes of anti-hypertensive drugs such as diuretics, beta-adrenergics, or calcium channel blockers [ 82 ]. It is noteworthy that angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors have an important advantage over angiotensin receptor blockers. ACEi offer additional vascular protection due to their ability to increase the tissue concentration of bradykinin by inhibiting its degradation, which is particularly important for coronary artery disease [ 83 ]. At the level of endothelial cells, bradykinin activates the antioxidant enzymes catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase [ 84 ]. At the same time, by increasing the level of eNOS, fibroblast growth factor 2, and TERT messenger RNA and possessing antioxidant properties, ACEi help restore the activity and increase the survival of endothelial cells caused by a vascular injury [ 58 , 85 ]. De Vries et al. and Akinnibosun et al. emphasised that early initiation of ACEi therapy positively impacts systolic blood pressure and TL. Moreover, ACEi are hypothesised to exert epigenetic modifications closely related to the protection against arterial hypertension [ 86 , 87 ].

Diabetes remains one of the most widespread non-communicable diseases worldwide, with a high prevalence, reaching a number of 2 million deaths in 2019 [ 88 ]. Diabetes is a pathology that affects multiple organs, with the most common chronic complications being diabetic foot, diabetic retinopathy, osteoporosis, arthropathies, decreased immunity manifested by an increased incidence of infections, and diabetic neuropathy. Additionally, acute complications such as diabetic ketoacidosis are life-threatening and require immediate hospitalisation and support of vital function [ 89 , 90 , 91 ]. TL is of particular interest concerning diabetes, which is a condition characterised by accelerated cellular ageing caused by a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors [ 7 , 9 ]. Patients with diabetes present a shorter TL, but the exact mechanisms have not yet been clearly established. However, this may be influenced either by hyperglycaemia per se, by the associated oxidative stress, or by the accumulation of metabolic toxins [ 92 ]. Moreover, insulin resistance, obesity, and hyperinsulinemia lead to increased oxidative stress and, implicitly, to the shortening of TL [ 93 , 94 ]. In a meta-analysis conducted on 17 cohorts, including over 5500 patients diagnosed with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, the authors identified that diabetic patients had a much shorter TL compared to healthy controls. Moreover, it is noteworthy that TL shortening was pronounced in the case of type 2 diabetes compared to type 1 diabetes and in the case of patients younger than 60 years old with type 2 diabetes [ 95 ]. Additionally, a study conducted by Baltzis et al. on 90 diabetic patients with diabetic ulcers concluded that among this population, besides having a higher neuropathy impairment score and markedly larger waist size, the activity of telomerase was aberrantly reduced [ 96 ]. It is well established that elevated glucose levels increase the generation of reactive oxygen species and induce dangerous reactions that affect different cellular signalling pathways [ 97 , 98 ]. All these cause single-chain breaks in DNA and erosion of telomeres, which in turn cause senescence of β-pancreatic cells and a decrease in the mass of these cells, insulin production, and glucose tolerance. Consequently, the generated oxidative stress causes impaired activity of the telomere-telomerase system, thus creating a vicious circle [ 94 , 99 ]. At the same time, hyperglycaemia increases the generation of reactive oxygen species at the level of the electron transport chain in the mitochondria through the formation of complex end products of glycation and the increase in glucose auto-oxidation. The guanine pairs present in telomeres are even more prone to oxidation, especially during mitosis, where they exist in solitary cells, making them vulnerable to oxidation and destruction [ 94 , 100 , 101 ]. In a study by Monickaraj et al., a causal relationship was drawn between mitochondrial dysfunction and diabetes. In the case of patients with type 2 diabetes, a marked increase in lipid peroxidation, a much-shortened TL, and a decrease in adiponectin levels and mitochondrial DNA content were observed [ 102 ]. Another study hypothesised that type 2 diabetes could cause epigenetic changes at the level of telomeric structures through DNA methylation at the level of long interspersed element-1 (LINE-1) [ 103 ]. However, pharmacotherapeutic regimens used in diabetes management offer promising perspectives to mitigate the impact of telomere shortening [ 104 ]. Hypoglycaemic drugs such as metformin, sulfonylurea, and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors have been proven to mitigate the changes triggered by oxidative stress on telomeres. However, insulin in the form of injectable preparations administered in type 1 diabetes or in type 2 diabetes that is refractory to antihyperglycemic medication has been shown to accelerate telomere attrition [ 105 , 106 ]. Metformin is a pharmacologically active agent from the biguanide class used as the first-line treatment option for type 2 diabetes, having efficacy both as monotherapy and as a combined regimen with other antihyperglycemic agents. The clinical applications of metformin have evolved from its first indication as a drug for influenza to the gold standard in type 2 diabetes and continue to develop until now [ 107 ]. Recent studies have demonstrated the prospective potential of this drug for multiple clinical applications, including as an anti-ageing agent [ 108 , 109 , 110 ]. Figure 4 provides an overview of the pathways employed by metformin to counteract ageing. Metformin promotes insulin sensitivity and restores normal IGF-1 levels by stimulating AMPK and inhibiting the signal activity on the mTOR pathway [ 111 ]. These mechanisms have considerable clinical utility since mTOR signalling leads to accelerated ageing, and changes in this pathway are associated with cancer, inflammation, and neurological diseases [ 112 , 113 ]. Metformin, in low doses, targets the lysosomal AMPK pathway through presenilin enhancer 2 (PEN2) and hepatic gluconeogenesis, in addition to other AMPK-independent pathways, such as inhibition of mitochondrial glycerophosphate dehydrogenase [ 114 , 115 ]. It is hypothesised that the association of metformin with its target glycerol 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPD1) can partly explain its anti-ageing effect. Metformin inhibits mitochondrial GPD1, blocks lactate-glucose incorporation, and enhances cytosolic NADH [ 116 ]. It has been shown that there is an overexpression of GPD1 in long-living organisms, while a decrease in GPD1 levels inhibits replicative life cycles. Additionally, overexpression of GPD1 by metformin underlines the drug’s anticancer activity in vitro [ 117 ]. In the same direction, in a recent study by Yang et al., metformin reduced the number of senescent CD8+ T cells. Metformin decreased the release of IFNγ from senescent CD8+T cells (through an effect on the senescence-associated secretory phenotype), decreased the production of proinflammatory cytokines IL-6, increased the synthesis of TNFα in senescent cells, increased the concentration of telomerase, increased the frequency of undifferentiated T cells, enhanced the expression of genes associated with stemness and those associated with telomerase activity, and decreased the expression of genes associated with DNA damage [ 118 ]. In a randomised, double-blind study that included 38 diabetic patients, metformin increased silent information regulator sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) gene expression, SIRT1 chromatin promoter accessibility, SIRT1 protein synthesis, and decreased p70S6K phosphorylation while having a positive effect on plasma N-glycans [ 119 ]. SIRT1 reduces the production of inflammatory cytokines by directly inhibiting the transcription of target genes through the deacetylation of histones in the promoter region of those genes [ 120 ]. Thus, metformin represents a prospective anti-ageing drug that interacts with multiple pathways involved in longevity and maintaining the integrity of telomeres. DPP-4i elicits a significant decrease in serum glucose levels, which is relevant in the clinical context of type 2 diabetes, especially as it presents a low risk of hypoglycaemia and does not cause weight gain. At the same time, DPP-4i has beneficial effects independent of the hypoglycaemic action, such as lowering systolic blood pressure, reducing total cholesterol and triglycerides, and increasing the activity of β-pancreatic cells [ 121 , 122 ]. Therefore, the pharmacodynamic effects of this class represent a pertinent approach for repurposing them as agents that could contribute to protecting telomeres from erosion. Dudinskaya et al. conducted a clinical study to determine whether vildagliptin-metformin combined therapy could provide superior benefits in inhibiting telomere attrition compared to metformin monotherapy. Both therapies proved effective for optimal glycemic control. In contrast, patients who received the combined therapy experienced a statistically significant increase in telomerase activity, thus concluding that the metformin-vildagliptin combination could have a new pleiotropic effect by modifying telomerase activity [ 123 ].

Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a complex neurological disorder, presenting multiple dysfunctional brain regions and few efficient management methods [ 124 ]. First-generation antipsychotic medications are defined by their ability to block dopamine D2 receptors. Second-generation antipsychotic medications, in contrast, act as serotonin and dopaminergic receptor agonists. Although this class varies greatly in terms of adverse reactions, in terms of therapeutic benefit, there are insignificant variations [ 125 ]. In SH-SY5Y cells, aripiprazole has shown neuroprotective benefits by raising brain-derived neurotrophic factor transcripts and proteins, phosphorylation, and GSK-3β, and lowering synaptosome presynaptic-like glutamate release [ 126 ]. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor presents a protective effect against oxidative damage in neurons, as it increases the expression levels of manganese superoxide dismutase, which in turn enhances the antioxidant capacity of the cell [ 127 ]. Aripiprazole stands out among antipsychotics due to its specific ability to partially agonist both dopamine D2 and serotonin 5-HT1A receptors [ 126 ]. When compared to traditional antipsychotics, atypical antipsychotics have a reduced incidence of certain causes of death and extrapyramidal symptoms [ 128 ]. Stroke and metabolic syndrome, both of which can cause metabolic changes, are more common in patients taking atypical antipsychotics compared to those taking conventional antipsychotics [ 129 ]. Second-generation antipsychotics, especially clozapine, have been reported to have a strong antioxidant effect, counteracting oxidative stress caused by aberrant activation of microglia. This marked reduction in free radicals provides a neuroprotective effect against oxidative stress induced by activated microglia [ 130 , 131 ]. Various environmental and genetic factors contribute to the development and progression of SCZ, which has led to the hypothesis that this pathology is a condition characterised by accelerated ageing, associated with physiopathological changes also present in the case of physiological ageing. Due to the marked oxidative stress in the case of SCZ, telomere erosion can be accelerated, which has been demonstrated in many instances of SCZ patients [ 124 , 132 ]. Table 1 summarises some of the most recent studies regarding the correlation between SCZ and TL. Studies show contradictory conclusions regarding a positive correlation between TL and the presence of schizophrenia. Interestingly, in most studies, it was concluded that patients who received treatment with antipsychotic drugs had a longer TL than those naïve to antipsychotic therapy [ 126 , 135 , 136 , 140 ]. At the same time, two studies have concluded that antipsychotic drugs have no effect on TL [ 138 , 139 ]. An interesting finding is represented by the protection offered by antipsychotic medication in vitro following a chemical exposure to oxidative stress [ 126 ]. This underlines the antioxidant effect of antipsychotic medication discussed in the literature. The pineal gland produces a single hormone, secreted in the absence of daylight. Melatonin is synthesised from serotonin, derived from the amino acid tryptophan, through a series of enzymatic processes in which, in the last two stages, the enzymes arylalkylamine N acetyltransferase and hydroxyl-indole-O-methyltransferase are involved. From the postganglionic fibres, the gland receives stimuli that increase the synthesis of cyclic AMP and trigger the release of noradrenaline, which activates the enzyme arylalkylamine N acetyltransferase. After the endogenous synthesis, this neurohormone is released into the blood and reaches all tissues [ 142 , 143 , 144 ]. The inversely proportional relationship between endogenous melatonin concentration and sleep quality is accentuated with physiological ageing, and for this reason, it has been hypothesised that melatonin deficiency contributes to the development and progression of sleep disorders [ 145 , 146 ]. Melatonin reduces the interval of falling asleep, increases sleep duration, and significantly decreases the number of nocturnal awakenings. Therefore, melatonin in the form of food supplements is often administered for incipient sleep disorders [ 147 , 148 , 149 ]. Melatonin exerts its actions through receptors coupled to protein G located at the level of cell membranes. MT1, MT2, and MT3 are found in almost all human body tissues. The MT1 receptor is coded by chromosome 4 and has 351 amino acids; the MT2 receptor is coded by chromosome 11 and continues with 363 amino acids; and MT3 shows a very high structural similarity with human quinone reductase 2, the enzyme involved in the detoxification process. Thus, MT3 inhibits leukocyte adhesion mediated by leukotriene B4 and reduces intraocular pressure [ 150 , 151 ]. Melatonin has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions due to its metabolites, N1-acetyl-N2-formyl-5-methoxykynuramine and N1-acetyl-5-methoxykynuramine. Consequently, melatonin helps maintain cellular integrity by neutralising free radicals that lead to lipid peroxidation and contributing to the transcription of genes that encode glutathione peroxidase, as well as other enzymes with antioxidant actions [ 152 ]. Moreover, it has anti-ageing action at the level of blood vessels, attributed to the direct detoxification of free radicals and the maintenance of oxygen metabolism in the mitochondria [ 153 ]. In the same direction, melatonin stimulates the production of antibodies and modulates immune functions, including the function of defence against tumours, acting as an immunomodulatory agent [ 152 ]. A suboptimal sleep quality, characterised by a low melatonin concentration, was associated with an aberrant secretion of cortisol and cytokines [ 154 ]. This evidence is the basis of the hypothesis that a marked decrease in melatonin synthesis could cause increased oxidative stress that culminates with telomere erosion. For this reason, exogenous supplementation with melatonin could have a protective effect on TL and mitigate oxidative stress [ 155 , 156 ]. In a murine model of atherosclerosis in which mature animals presented vascular endothelial lesions, an increase in the concentration of proinflammatory cytokines, reactive oxygen species, superoxide dismutase, and malondialdehyde was observed. The administration of exogenous melatonin led to a decrease in these markers. Also, melatonin counteracted the effects caused by H 2 O 2 and reduced vascular endothelial damage by modulating telomerase activity [ 157 ]. In an in vitro study, Liu et al. demonstrated that melatonin contributes to improving the DNA’s self-repair capacity by influencing several genes that are involved in the pathways responsible for DNA denaturation [ 158 ].

Oestrogen receptors belong to the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily and function as ligand-dependent transcription factors. Oestrogens exert their actions by interacting with the ligand-dependent receptors ER-α and ER-β, which are essential in tissue growth and differentiation [ 159 , 160 ]. It is interesting to note that although the withdrawal of oestrogens leads to atrophic changes, continuous exposure in large quantities leads to tumour development at the breast and ovarian levels [ 161 , 162 ]. Many lines of evidence support the fact that oestrogen has direct and indirect control over telomerase in tissues that are sensitive to these hormones, thus maintaining the integrity of telomeres [ 161 , 163 ]. Lin et al. found that extended exposure to endogenous oestrogen was linked to increased TL and decreased telomerase activity. Moreover, the duration of reproductive years was adversely related to the combination of a short TL and high telomerase activity. Therefore, the authors concluded that endogenous oestrogens could potentially slow down the process of cellular ageing [ 164 ]. Schuermans et al. demonstrated that an earlier onset of menopause is linked to a lower TL, particularly in women who have natural menopause. The accelerated shortening of TL during premature menopause may be attributed to an increased CD risk. Researchers Park et al. found that estrogen treatment of mice reverses the ageing-associated reduction in beige adipogenesis. The researchers discovered that nicotinamide phosphoribosyl transferase (NAMPT) is necessary for the production of E2-induced beige adipocytes, which in turn prevents the development of age-associated stress within the endoplasmic reticulum. Also, by increasing the number of perivascular adipocyte progenitor cells, NAMPT signalling can be achieved through genetic or pharmacological means, allowing for the restoration of beige adipocyte production [ 165 ]. On the other hand, progesterone and growth factors such as TGF-β inhibit telomerase activity and hTERT gene production [ 161 ]. In most countries worldwide, the life expectancy of women is higher than that of men, which can be explained by the differences in TL. Although there is no significant difference between TL at birth in men and women, as the body matures, men show a much more considerable TL shortening than women. A possible mechanism to explain this is represented by the presence of oestrogen hormones in females, which leads to lower oxidative stress in this population and a higher activity of telomerase [ 166 , 167 ]. Menopausal replacement therapy is frequently prescribed to alleviate symptoms associated with menopause. Treatment options can be estrogen-progesterone combined therapy or estrogen-only therapy. Oestrogen can be administered in various pharmaceutical forms, such as oral, transdermal, percutaneous, intramuscular, intranasal, subcutaneous, and vaginal, while the dose is customised depending on the patient [ 168 , 169 ]. Table 2 represents an overview of empirical data assessing the impact of antipsychotics on TL. Endometriosis is a condition that affects over 190 million women of reproductive age and is characterised by persistent and debilitating pain, pelvic distress, nausea, and exhaustion and can lead to depression, anxiety, and infertility. From a physiopathological point of view, endometriosis is characterised by the proliferation of endometrial cells on extraneous tissues such as the ovaries or fallopian tubes [ 178 ]. Although drugs are administered to reduce symptoms, there is no conventional treatment for endometriosis [ 179 ]. Danazol is a pharmacological agent frequently used in pharmacotherapeutic regimens to alleviate the symptoms of endometriosis while having indications in other chronic pathologies such as fibrocystic disease, chronic or persistent refractory immune thrombocytopenia that has not responded to treatment with corticosteroids, or hereditary angioedema [ 180 ]. Although used for the abovementioned indications, danazol offers promising results as an anti-ageing agent, maintaining telomeres’ integrity. In a prospective study, daily administration of 800 mg of danazol for 24 months increased TL [ 181 ]. In the case of a 42-year-old woman with finger clubbing, a family history of early hair greying led to a TL measure lower than the first centile, thus explaining multiorgan involvement. After 18 months of danazol treatment, the TL was reverted to normal [ 182 ]. Córdova-Oriz et al. conducted a double-blind study for three months in which patients with low ovarian function were enrolled. The average TL remained consistent during the three months in the case of patients treated with danazol [ 183 ].

Ageing is an inherent biological process characterised by the gradual decline of the physical condition, leading to the impairment of several physiological functions. All these changes were associated with an accumulation of somatic mutations, oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, mitochondria dysfunction, and denaturation of protein structures, closely related to both the TL and the changes in the intestinal microbiota [ 184 , 185 , 186 ]. It is well known that a varied range of chronic pathologies are capable of generating changes in the intestinal microbiota, inducing oxidative stress and inflammation, and finally leading to the erosion of telomeres [ 187 ]. Therefore, it is pertinent to conclude that there is a robust bidirectional link between the integrity of the intestinal microbiota and TL. At the same time, broad-spectrum antibiotics reduce the variety of intestinal microbiota; in addition to eliminating the target pathogen, they also destroy beneficial microorganisms, causing harmful effects on the host [ 188 , 189 ]. These changes can lead to a decrease in the variety of microorganisms present, alterations in the functional characteristics, and the development of antibiotic-resistant strains. As a result, the host becomes more vulnerable to infections such as those caused by Clostridium difficile [ 190 ]. This is one of the reasons that led to the attempts of this century to develop new therapeutic options for treating infections, in addition to the increasing bacterial resistance [ 191 ]. Nutritional habits and microbiota profoundly impact TL, supporting the hypothesis of a bidirectional microbiota-TL relationship [ 192 , 193 ]. Probiotics have gained a lot of popularity as food supplements due to their advantages for health, such as restoring the habitat of the gastrointestinal microbiota, competing with harmful pathogens, and improving immune functions [ 194 ]. Figure 5 illustrates the main mechanisms supporting the hypothesis of a bidirectional relationship between microbiota and TL and the effects of probiotics on TL maintenance. Probiotics generate different substances with an antioxidant effect, such as glutathione, butyrate, and folate. Bifidobacterium species are studied for their ability to synthesise folate, an essential vitamin for efficient DNA replication, repair, and methylation [ 195 ]. At the same time, multiple strains of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium have been shown to exert anti-inflammatory activities by increasing IL-10 levels and decreasing Th1 cytokines. Kwon et al. discovered a combination of probiotics that increases the expression of CD4+forkhead box P3 (FoxP3)+ T-regulatory cells. Therefore, the probiotic combination decreased the sensitivity of both T and B cells and reduced the production of Th1, Th2, and Th17 cytokines without causing apoptosis [ 196 , 197 ]. Furthermore, probiotics have been studied for their potential to reduce cortisol, the body’s main stress hormone [ 187 , 198 , 199 ]. Table 3 presents some recent studies validating probiotics’ potential to reduce the effects associated with ageing. Probiotics represent a prospective and easily accessible therapeutic approach to counteracting the effects associated with ageing. However, more studies are required to properly establish the bidirectional relationship between the microbiome and TL.

Telomeres are specialised nucleoprotein structures located at the ends of linear chromosomes. Their main function is to inhibit the activation of the response to DNA damage [ 1 ]. Telomeres are chromatin structures containing repeated DNA sequences that function as protective caps at the ends of chromosomes and prevent DNA degradation and recombination, thus ensuring the integrity of the genome [ 2 ]. Telomerase, which functions mainly as a reverse transcriptase capable of maintaining TL, adds short repeat sequences to the ends of chromosomes, compensating for the inherent loss of DNA in genome replication. The telomerase RNA component and the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) protein are the main components of telomerase. Additionally, telomerase activity is regulated by multiple proteins that attach to one of the active components [ 3 ]. As they shorten, telomeres no longer have the ability to attach enough telomere-capping proteins. This exposes the final portions of the DNA and triggers the DNA denaturing response pathways, which, by inducing the cell cycle inhibitors p21 and p16, block proliferation [ 4 ]. Figure 1 illustrates an overview of the factors that contribute to TL shortening. While TL can be genetically inherited, TL maintenance has been associated with multiple xenobiotics and bioactive substances. This can be attributed both to direct protection mechanisms against factors that contribute to oxidative stress, inflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction and to an effect on telomerase activity [ 5 ]. Telomere shortening is a characteristic feature of the physiological ageing process and is closely related to other key aspects associated with ageing, including cellular senescence, stem cell depletion, genome instability, disruption of epigenetic control, mitochondrial instability, and inflammation [ 6 , 7 ]. TL has been characterised as a reliable biomarker for the predisposition to chronic pathologies and their progression. These include cardiovascular diseases [ 8 ], metabolic diseases [ 9 ], osteoporosis and osteoarthritis [ 10 ], neurodegenerative diseases [ 11 ], psychiatric diseases [ 12 ], male or female infertility [ 13 ], and cancer [ 14 ]. Patients with non-communicable chronic diseases require effective pharmacotherapy to obtain optimal clinical results and improve their quality of life. Most of them present multiple comorbidities associated with complex therapy regimens [ 15 ]. The evaluation of TL as a biomarker included in a complex prognostic and diagnostic panel of chronic pathologies should be implemented, considering the patients’ medication. Pharmacologically active substances can have a protective effect against the aberrant shortening of TL associated with chronic diseases, while other drugs can have an impact on accelerating telomere erosion. This narrative review aims to analyse the molecular mechanisms by which certain classes of drugs can inhibit TL shortening. Understanding these aspects offers promising perspectives for improving the results of the pharmacotherapeutic regimen and increasing health outcomes.

Future research directions in this field should focus on large-scale clinical trials to accurately understand the mechanisms involved in hindering telomere erosion mediated by pharmacologically active substances. Moreover, one direction of interest is to investigate the potential of active substances in poly-therapeutic regimens since combining two or more drugs with different mechanisms for inhibition of telomere attrition could bring additional benefits. At the same time, the interactions between the drugs commonly involved in therapy, food, and lifestyle factors should be investigated to obtain more information to guide clinicians in choosing a personalised pharmacotherapeutic regimen. Additionally, integrating TL measurements into personalised medicine procedures could help to significantly individualise the treatment plan. Thus, physicians and pharmacists could be able to select drugs to treat different pathologies, opting for active substances that maintain genomic stability. However, this can only be achieved with laboratory tests specifically developed to understand telomere dynamics at every single cellular level, not just those measurements that determine the average TL in a cell population. Thus, early identification of patients prone to aberrant shortening of TL at an early stage of the disease may help implement early preventive measures to stop the worsening of the chronic pathology, optimise treatment outcomes, and improve the patient’s long-term quality of life. In conclusion, this narrative review highlights the prospective role of TL measurements as a reliable biomarker in the treatment of non-communicable diseases. We focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms of those drugs that help inhibit telomere attrition. Investigating the influence of widely used medications on TL offers promising perspectives for developing individualised therapeutic strategies for each patient while offering multiple clinical applications, leading to the efficient management of pathologies and improving health outcomes.