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Updated: May 16, 2026

Telomere Length and Telomerase Activity; A Yin and Yang of Cell Senescence
Published on: May 22, 2013
[Telomeres, aging and Cushing's syndrome: are they related?]
Anna Aulinas1, Alicia Santos, Elena Valassi
1Servicio de Endocrinología y Nutrición, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, España. aaulinas@santpau.cat
Abstract:
Cushing's syndrome is due to excess cortisol secretion and is associated to increased mortality and severe morbidity that are not fully reversible despite biochemical control. The syndrome consists of a set of systemic manifestations similar to those found in aging. Chronic stress, which also causes hyperstimulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, has been related to accelerated telomere shortening, oxidative damage, and cell aging. Although premature aging in patients with Cushing's syndrome could be related to environmental factors, the possibility that chronic exposure to hypercortisolism causes telomere shortening, and thus premature aging, cannot be ruled out. This review discusses the available evidence supporting a link between Cushing's syndrome and cell aging.
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