Prolonged telomeres acne can protect the skin from aging

Acne causes the skin to age more slowly
During puberty, pimples and blackheads are common in adolescents. Mostly the impure skin is a big burden for them. However, acne apparently also brings benefits in the form of longer telomeres, British scientists report. This protects the cells better against aging.

In adolescents, pimples are widespread
Skin problems with teenagers are quite normal. To find out what really helps against pimples, it makes sense to know what causes them. It is known that factors such as stress or poor diets come as a cause in question. In many cases, simple home remedies for pimples. Otherwise, purulent pimples should not be expressed. Despite the adversities, acne apparently also brings benefits, as British researchers now report.

Annoying pimples and blackheads often make life difficult for teenagers. But acne also has a big advantage: people who suffered from it have longer telomeres. The cells are thus better protected against aging. (Image: DrTI / fotolia.com)

Telomeres protect cells during replication
The scientists from Kings College London found in an investigation that people who have previously suffered from acne have longer telomeres. By doing so, their cells are significantly better protected against aging. The doctors published a press release on the results of their study.

Telomeres are so-called repetitive nucleotide sequences at the end of the chromosomes, explain the authors. These telomeres protect the cells during the process of replication. As the cells get older, the telomeres shrink and break. Eventually, this will eventually trigger cell death, a normal part of human growth and aging, the physicians add.

Researchers are studying telomeres of 1,295 twins
Previous studies have already shown that telomere length in white blood cells can be predictive of biological age, the experts explain. For this reason, the new study attempted to establish the length of white blood cell telomeres in 1,295 twins. A quarter of the twins from the so-called TwinsUK cohort reported on acne experiences in their lives.

Longer telomeres provide better protection
Statistical analysis showed that the telomere length was significantly longer in people with acne. This protects white blood cells better from the usual deterioration of old age, the researchers explain. One of the genes involved in telomere length was also associated with the onset of acne.

Dermatologists have long pointed out that the skin of people with acne seems to age more slowly than the skin of people without a history of acne. Signs of skin aging such as wrinkles and skin thinning often appear much later in people with previous acne, explain the scientists.

Acne affects the so-called gene pathway p53
The researchers also examined gene expression in pre-existing skin biopsies in twins. It has been found that a so-called gene pathway (p53 pathway) regulates the programmed death of cells, the experts say. This seems less common in people with acne. This finding requires further study of other genes to identify their involvement in cell aging. It has also been analyzed how these genes differ from those of people with acne, the authors add.

Further research is needed
The results of the investigation suggest that the cause of slower cell aging is linked to telomere length, say the physicians. This seems to be different in people with acne. Skin biopsies allowed scientists to determine gene expression associated with telomere length. Of course, further research is needed to see if gene pathways provide a basis for a useful intervention. Nevertheless, longer telomeres really seem to be a factor that protects the skin from premature aging. Bataille. (As, ad)