Telomerase activator-65 and pomegranate peel improved the health status of the liver in aged rats; multi-targets involved

OBJECTIVE(S): This study was undertaken to investigate the efficacy of telomerase activator-65 (Ta-65) and pomegranate peel against aging-induced deteriorations in the liver. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The rats were divided into four groups: control, aged, aged rats treated with Ta-65, and pomegranate orally for two months. RESULTS: Aging significantly increased the serum levels of total protein, globulins, and protein carbonyl and reduced the insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). It also elevated the hepatic malondialdehyde and decreased the hepatic glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity. Aging elevated the expression of thioredoxin reductase1, telomerase reverse transcriptase, and cytochrome 3a1 in the liver; it increased the p53 protein level and elevated the activity of caspase-3 in the liver indicating the occurrence of apoptosis. The architecture of the liver deteriorated in the aged rats, as shown by both light and electron microscopy examinations. The liver of the aged rats had many apoptotic hepatocytes with shrunken nuclei. Many hepatocytes had dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum, many lysosomes, and many fat droplets. Administration of Ta-65 and pomegranate to the aged rats normalized most of the previous biochemical parameters and improved the liver architecture. CONCLUSION: Ta-65 and pomegranate have anti-aging activity through targeting multiple cellular pathways. It is also noteworthy that Ta-65 was superior to pomegranate in its alleviative effects.