Telomerase activation: A potential key modulator for human healthspan and longevity

•Studies in animal models are available demonstrating a potential role for telomerase as anti-aging effector; evidences of a similar role for telomerase in humans is still scarce and controversial.•Telomerase re-activation specifically in adult or old mice resulted in significant median lifespan extension without increased cancer susceptibility.•Healthy human volunteers supplemented with TA-65, a telomerase activator, showed a better dynamics of immune system as well as an increase in several indicators of health.•Recent studies demonstrated that stains and high Mediterranean diet adherence are associated with higher telomerase activity and lower telomeres shortening in humans.

The elderly population is increasing progressively. Along with this increase the number of age related diseases, such as cardiovascular, neurodegenerative diseases, metabolic impairment and cancer, is also on the rise thereby negatively impacting the burden on health care systems. Telomere shortening and dysfunction results in cellular senescence, an irreversible proliferative arrest that has been suggested to promote organismal aging and disabling age-related diseases. Given that telomerase, the enzyme responsible for maintaining telomere lengths, is not expressed at levels sufficient to prevent telomere shortening in most of our cells, telomeres progressively erode with advancing age. Telomerase activation, therefore, might serve as a viable therapeutic strategy to delay the onset of cellular senescence, tissue dysfunction and organismal decline. Here we analyze the more recent findings in telomerase activation as a potential key modulator for human healthspan and longevity.