Figure 1.

Telomere length in the rat T cells and hippocampus and its relationship with mean 3-week plasma corticosterone levels. (A) Telomere length was assessed in T-cell DNA obtained from rats exposed to 3-week chronic variable stress or no stress (N = 10 per group). (B) T-cell telomere lengths were correlated with mean 3-week plasma corticosterone levels calculated from 8 samplings during the CVS regimen. (C) Telomere length assessed in hippocampal DNA showed similar stress-induced reduction. (D) Similar association between hippocampal telomere length and corticosterone levels was observed. Bar graphs are presented as mean ± SEM. *P < 0.05 and **P < 0.01.