Posted 15 April 2013 - 10:00 PM
Hi - I just came across this forum while researching on telomere length and accutane. I took the generic version last year for 6 months and as a biomedical researcher, I would like to provide my input.
The hypothesis that isotretinoin may decrease telomere length is quite possible. I have talked briefly with a prominent telomere scientist regarding my side effects during- and post-treatment, which he stated can be key signs that are attributable to telomere length changes. Beside the usual side effects reported, I suffered a major injury during my isotretinoin treatment. A broken bone 3 months into the treatment which took significantly longer than normal (typified to show significant ossification on an x-ray 3 month post-injury but mine was 6 months post with barely any signs of ossification taking place). Also, how I ended up with a broken bone was unusual because I've had the same incident (bicycle accident) previously under more extreme circumstances yet I did not break my bones. It is reported that wound healing takes longer under isotretinoin treatment and can we attribute this to alterations in telomerase and telomere control? Can we also speculate that the thinning of the skin, mucous membrane, hair, muscle soreness, and bone growth deformities (all connective tissues) are linked to changes in telomere regulation during and post isotretinoin use?
Another thought is, given that Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are the 'most common' long-term side effects, which is opposite to cancerous growth (ulcers can be likened to pits), could this be attributed to critically short telomere lengths leading to apoptosis producing the ulcers within the gastrointestinal tract?
One thing that interests me a lot is the possible use of telomere length testing, such as the one that will be offered by Telome Health, to monitor changes that may deviate from an ideal telomere length for my given age over time. This also brings to mind, are there any clinical research studies examining telomere length before, during, and after isotretinoin treatment? No doubt such a study would be highly controversial and possibly unethical. Nonetheless, I really would like to know the exact mechanism...
This is just my 2 cents. Please provide me your guys' thoughts!