Roles of telomere and telomerase in the process of ginseno- side Rg1 protection against tert-butyl hydroperoxide-induced senescence in WI-38 cells

Aim To investigate the roles of telomere and telom er ase in the process of ginsenoside Rg1 protection against tert-butylhydroperoxid e (t-BHP)-induced senescence in WI-38 cells.Methods Senile W I-38 cells were induced by t-BHP in vitro. Cell ultrastructure, cell cycle assay and β-galactosidase cytochemistry staining were used to evaluate cell s enescence. Terminal restriction fragment (RTF) length and telomerase activity we re detected by southern blotting and PCR-ELISA, respectively.Results t-BHP induced cell senescence with characteristics of shortenned RTF len gth. Pretreatment with Rg1 significantlyattenuated t-BHP-induced senescence in WI-38 cells. Compared with c ells treated with t-BHP alone, Rg1 pretreatment markedly decreased the shorteni ng of RTF length and resulted in telomerase activation.Conclusion Activation of telomerase and prolonging of RTF length might be involved in t he process of ginsenoside Rg1 protection against t-BHP-induced senescence in W I-38 cells.