Hormone replacement therapy may slow cell aging

Hormone replacement therapy slows aging of epithelial cells

With hormone replacement therapy (HRT), the hormone deficiency in women during menopause is artificially compensated by medication. Research has shown that HRT can also prevent diseases such as osteoporosis or colon cancer, or reduce COVID-19 mortality. And it can slow down the cellular aging process.

By discovering an epigenetic “clock,” researchers at the University of Innsbruck were able to demonstrate that hormone replacement therapy slows epithelial cell aging in postmenopausal women – but only if they do not have breast cancer. The study was recently published in the renowned journal “genome biology“be released.

HRT may also prevent osteoporosis or colon cancer

Postmenopausal women may suffer from symptoms such as hot flashes, moodiness, trouble sleeping and bone loss due to the drop in estrogen levels. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can relieve these symptoms and help reduce the long-term health burden of menopause.

as of present Message From the University of Innsbruck, HET may, among other things, prevent diseases such as osteoporosis or colon cancer or – as preliminary studies suggest – reduce COVID mortality.

Scientists around Martin Widschwender, professor of cancer prevention and screening at the University of Innsbruck, are now able to prove that HRT combined with progesterone and estrogen slows the aging of epithelial cells after menopause.

According to experts, epithelial cells cover the internal and external surfaces and glands of the body and are essential for the function of most organs.

Benefit not seen in women with breast cancer

“However, this benefit has not been seen in women with breast cancer. Their cells age at the same rate as in women who did not undergo HRT,” Widschventer explains.

“It is not yet clear why combined HRT does not slow cell aging in women with breast cancer,” says the expert.

“With further research, however, we may soon be able to use epigenetic clocks to determine which women benefit from slow cell aging with combined hormone replacement therapy and we may be able to determine which women are most likely to benefit from individualized hormone replacement therapy.” How can we optimize health-protection measures?

New “epigenetic clock” discovered

The researchers’ findings were made possible by the discovery of a new “epigenetic clock”, the so-called WID-REA clock, that can measure the aging process of epithelial cells using samples from cervical cancer screening tests or buccal swabs.

As mentioned in the release, the epigenetic clock is a molecular biological test that examines markers on DNA. These chemical changes are called DNA methylation. They arise during the aging process and are also shaped by the environment and lifestyle.

Changes have a major impact on how DNA is read and what functions cells can perform. Using epigenetic clocks, the age of cells can be determined and thus the age of an individual can be estimated within a few years.

The rate of cellular aging is associated with increased risk and mortality from certain diseases, including cancer.

“The present study shows the enormous potential of epigenetic clocks as a source of information for our biological age,” says molecular medicine specialist Chiara Herzog, one of the study’s first authors.

“It will be particularly interesting to study the aging of different cell types in other diseases, and also to investigate how premature aging can be counteracted.”

Evaluated over 2,000 samples

The scientists evaluated more than 2,000 samples for the study. Like breast cells, cervical cells are epithelium and hormone dependent, but the latter are more accessible.

Gynecologists regularly take cervical swabs for examination. For the clinical application of this aging test, further comprehensive studies in collaboration between women, gynecologists and scientists are extremely important.

“Current studies from England and the US very clearly confirm that strategies that slow the aging process are much more effective than measures to cure diseases,” said Michael Hublek, private lecturer and resident gynecologist at Schwaz telling.

“As gynecologists, we need tests that enable us to measure aging processes and optimize anti-aging strategies – such as hormone replacement therapy, but also exercise and nutrition – for every woman. needs. This newly developed test could make a very important contribution to modern preventive medicine.” (Advertisement)