"Terminal replication" of telomeres has been the focus of biologists. Telomere dysfunction is believed to be one of
the causes for the increased risk of degenerative diseases. Dietary patterns and micronutrients, including folic acid can affect
telomere length and function. Dietary patterns and micronutrients, including folic acid, can affect telomere length and function.
When folic acid and B12 are deficient, the homocysteine in plasma will increase and the telomere length will shorten as well, Folic
acid deficiency leads to the increase of uracil in telomeres, which eventually results in telomere breakage and shortening. Low level
of folic acid also leads to sub?telomere hypomethylation, which affects the length and function of telomeres. Folic acid plays an
important role in the metabolism of one carbon unit. It is an indispensable substance in the synthesis of purine nucleotides, thymine
and the remethylation of homocysteine into methionine. The interruption of these pathways will affect DNA synthesis and stability,
and affect chromosome methylation, which lead to malnutrition and disease, including muscle weakness, walking difficulties,
cardiovascular disease, birth defects, cancer, etc. Some studies have shown that folic acid may have a positive effect on the
development of skeletal muscle development. However, the precise role of folic acid in skeletal muscle development is still unclear.
Sarcopenia results in the reduction of muscle mass and strength progressively and caused by muscle degeneration shortens telomere
length. Sarcopenia leads to the shortening of telomere length, but the specific mechanism needs to be further explored. In this
review, the correlation among telomere regulation, one carbon metabolism and muscle loss are discussed to provide ideas for
scientific research.ion, one carbon metabolism and muscle loss are discussed to provide ideas for scientific research.
1 Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery/Clinical Nutrition, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100038, China; 2Department of Oncology, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100038, China; 3Department of Nutrition and Health, China Agriculture
University, Beijing 100193, China
Abstract："Terminal replication" of telomeres has been the focus of biologists. Telomere dysfunction is believed to be one of
the causes for the increased risk of degenerative diseases. Dietary patterns and micronutrients, including folic acid can affect
telomere length and function. Dietary patterns and micronutrients, including folic acid, can affect telomere length and function.
When folic acid and B12 are deficient, the homocysteine in plasma will increase and the telomere length will shorten as well, Folic
acid deficiency leads to the increase of uracil in telomeres, which eventually results in telomere breakage and shortening. Low level
of folic acid also leads to sub⁃telomere hypomethylation, which affects the length and function of telomeres. Folic acid plays an
important role in the metabolism of one carbon unit. It is an indispensable substance in the synthesis of purine nucleotides, thymine
and the remethylation of homocysteine into methionine. The interruption of these pathways will affect DNA synthesis and stability,
and affect chromosome methylation, which lead to malnutrition and disease, including muscle weakness, walking difficulties,
cardiovascular disease, birth defects, cancer, etc. Some studies have shown that folic acid may have a positive effect on the
development of skeletal muscle development. However, the precise role of folic acid in skeletal muscle development is still unclear.
Sarcopenia results in the reduction of muscle mass and strength progressively and caused by muscle degeneration shortens telomere
length. Sarcopenia leads to the shortening of telomere length, but the specific mechanism needs to be further explored. In this
review, the correlation among telomere regulation, one carbon metabolism and muscle loss are discussed to provide ideas for
scientific research.ion, one carbon metabolism and muscle loss are discussed to provide ideas for scientific research.
