Exploring the Possible Association between Intermittent Fasting and Telomere Dynamics – DNA Damage Response during Ageing in Mice

Cellular senescence has been previously identified to be a contributing factor towards ageing, which is often accompanied by the concomitant development of numerous age-associated diseases. Telomere dysfunction and DNA damage accumulation have been associated with replicative senescence and chronological ageing. On the other hand, prophylactic intermittent fasting (IF), a dietary regime characterised by periodic restriction of energy intake, has been shown to extend lifespan as well as exerting protective effects against age-associated diseases. However, there is an absence of studies on whether IF can influence telomere dynamics which in turn modulate ageing processes. Preliminary studies conducted on C57/B6 mice subjected to ad libitum and IF have shown that IF is able to influence both DNA damage and repair pathways, but show minimal influence on telomere dynamics. Despite early evidences hinting the plausible roles of IF in the modulation of cellular senescence mechanisms, it is still relatively unknown if these effects can be maintained after subjecting IF mice to a refeeding regime. While these novel studies represent a new elucidation of IF mechanism in influencing the DNA damage-telomeres-ageing axis, our pilot study has pointed towards a possible interaction. However, future studies are needed to dissect the molecular basis underlying IF influence on telomere dynamics as well as DNA damage and repair response.