Leukocyte telomere length and serum polyunsaturated fatty acids, dietary habits, cardiovascular risk factors and features of myocardial infarction in elderly patients

Association between telomere length and anorexia of ageing: a cross-sectional study conducted with community-dwelling older people

BACKGROUND

To verify whether shorter telomere length is associated with anorexia of ageing in community-dwelling older people.

METHODS

Conducted as a cross-sectional investigation, the study enrolled 448 participants residing in an urban area of a municipality in Brazil. Relative telomere length in blood samples was measured using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), whereas the presence of anorexia of ageing was determined using the Simplified Appetite Nutritional Questionnaire. Data analysis employed multiple logistic regression.

RESULTS

Among the 448 older individuals surveyed, 70.69% were female, and the predominant age bracket ranged from 60 to 69 years (45.08%). Approximately 25% exhibited the shortest telomeric length, with a corresponding anorexia of ageing prevalence of 41.16%. Older individuals with diminished telomere lengths displayed an increased likelihood of experiencing anorexia of ageing (odds ratio [OR] = 1.92; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.12-3.29), independent of factors such as gender, age group, depressive symptoms, pain and performance in basic daily life activities.

CONCLUSIONS

The observed association between anorexia of ageing and a telomeric biomarker underscores the imperative to meticulously evaluate the nutritional dimensions of older people, with a view to implementing interventions that may enhance their overall health status.

Mendelian randomization evidence based on European ancestry for the causal effects of leukocyte telomere length on prostate cancer

BACKGROUND

Several lines of evidence suggest that leukocyte telomere length (LTL) can affect the development of prostate cancer (PC).

METHODS

Here, we employed single nucleoside polymorphisms (SNPs) as instrumental variables (IVs) for LTL (n = 472,174) and conducted Mendelian randomization analysis to estimate their causal impact on PCs (79,148 patients/61,106 controls and 6311 patients/88,902 controls).

RESULTS

Every 1-s.d extension of LTL increased the risk of PCs by 34%. Additionally, the analysis of candidate mediators between LTL and PCs via two-step Mendelian randomization revealed that among the 23 candidates, Alzheimer's disease, liver iron content, sex hormone binding global levels, naive CD4-CD8-T cell% T cell, and circulating leptin levels played substantial mediating roles. There is no robust evidence to support the reverse causal relationship between LTL and the selected mediators of PCs. Adjusting for the former four mediators, rather than adjusting for circulating leptin levels, decreased the impact of LTL on PCs.

CONCLUSION

This study provides potential intervention measures for preventing LTL-induced PCs.

The Influence of Sex, Age, and Race on Coronary Artery Disease: A Narrative Review

Cardiovascular disease has remained one of the leading causes of mortality in the world. The basic pathophysiology of coronary artery disease (CAD) is a reduction of the blood flow in coronary vessels, leading to restricted blood flow to the heart muscle. Both modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors contribute to its multifactorial etiology. The clinical presentation ranges from asymptomatic to typical symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, and left arm or jaw pain. The purpose of this review is to investigate and analyze the variation of CAD depending on the biological sex, age, race, or ethnicity and how it might differ in the studied population while comparing the symptoms and prognosis of CAD. For this research, PubMed's database was used. A total of 926 articles were selected using pre-determined inclusion and exclusion criteria, with 74 articles eligible to be included in the narrative review. Studies were selected from the general population of patients with CAD, regardless of their severity, stage of diagnosis, and treatment plan. The scale for the assessment of non-systematic review articles (SANRA) was used to assess the quality of the study. As humans age, the incidence of CAD increases, and people over 75 are more likely to have multiple-vessel CAD. It has been observed that South Asians have the highest rate of CAD at 24%, while the White population has the lowest at 8%. The prevalence of CAD also depends on race, with the White population having the lowest rate at 3.2%, followed by Hispanics at 5%, Black women at 5.2%, and Black men at 5.7%. Younger Black women tend to have more chest pain. Men with CAD commonly experience chest pain, and women are more likely to present with atypical symptoms. Modifiable risk factors such as smoking and alcoholism are more commonly observed in young men than in young women. Coronary artery disease in the elderly, female, minority, and Black patients is associated with a higher mortality rate. Acknowledging the prevalence of certain risk factors, signs, results, and responses to treatment in certain socio-demographic groups, as well as the provision and accessibility of diagnosis and treatment, would lead to a better outcome for all individuals. The impact of this shift can range from an earlier diagnosis of CAD to a faster and more customized treatment plan tailored to each patient's individual requirements.

Influence of the Mediterranean Diet on Healthy Aging

The life expectancy of the global population has increased. Aging is a natural physiological process that poses major challenges in an increasingly long-lived and frail population. Several molecular mechanisms are involved in aging. Likewise, the gut microbiota, which is influenced by environmental factors such as diet, plays a crucial role in the modulation of these mechanisms. The Mediterranean diet, as well as the components present in it, offer some proof of this. Achieving healthy aging should be focused on the promotion of healthy lifestyle habits that reduce the development of pathologies that are associated with aging, in order to increase the quality of life of the aging population. In this review we analyze the influence of the Mediterranean diet on the molecular pathways and the microbiota associated with more favorable aging patterns, as well as its possible role as an anti-aging treatment.

The relationship between n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and telomere: A review on proposed nutritional treatment against metabolic syndrome and potential signaling pathways

Metabolic syndrome (MetS), a cluster of metabolic abnormalities composed of central obesity, elevated blood pressure, glucose disturbances, hypercholesterolemia and dyslipidaemia, has increasingly become a public health problem in the 21st century worldwide. The dysfunction of telomeres, the repetitive DNA with highly conserved sequences (5'-TTAGGG-3'), is remarkably correlated with organismal aging, even suggesting a causal relationship with metabolic disorders. The health benefits of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in multiple disorders are associated with telomere length in evidence, which have recently drawn wide attention. However, functional targets and pathways for the associations of n-3 PUFAs and telomere with MetS remain scare. Few studies have summarized the role of n-3 PUFAs in DNA damage repair pathways, anti-inflammatory pathways, and redox balance, linking with telomere biology, and other potential telomere-related signaling pathways. This review aims to (i) elucidate how n-3 PUFAs ameliorate telomere attrition in the context of anti-oxidation and anti-inflammation; (ii) unravel the role of n-3 PUFAs in modulating telomere-related neuron dysfunction and regulating the neuro-endocrine-immunological network in MetS; (iii) epidemiologically implicate the associations of metabolic disorders and n-3 PUFAs with telomere length; and (iv) suggest promising biochemical approaches and advancing methodologies to overcome the inter-variation problem helpful for future research.

The Impact of Foods, Nutrients, or Dietary Patterns on Telomere Length in Childhood and Adolescence: A Systematic Review

Environmental factors such as diet can affect telomere length (TL) dynamics. However, the role that children’s and adolescents’ diets play in maintaining TL is not well understood. Thus, we conducted a systematic review to examine the association between the intake of nutrients, foods, food groups, and/or dietary patterns and TL in childhood and adolescence. Following the PRISMA guidelines, we searched MEDLINE via PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases and additional registers and methods. The five selected studies were cross-sectional and conducted in children and adolescents aged 2 to 18 years. The main results suggest that a higher consumption of fish, nuts and seeds, fruits and vegetables, green leafy and cruciferous vegetables, olives, legumes, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and an antioxidant-rich diet might positively affect TL. On the contrary, a higher intake of dairy products, simple sugar, sugar-sweetened beverages, cereals, especially white bread, and a diet high in glycaemic load were factors associated with TL shortening. To our knowledge, this is the first systematic review examining the impact of dietary intake factors on TL in childhood and adolescence. Although limited, these results are consistent with previous studies in different adult populations. Further research is needed to ascertain potential nutritional determinants of TL in childhood and adolescence.

Associations of Maternal Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids With Telomere Length in the Cord Blood and Placenta in Chinese Population

Few studies have investigated the correlation between maternal polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and telomeres in offspring, and the underlying influential mechanisms. In this study, we assessed the associations of maternal PUFAs with telomere length (TL) and DNA methylation of the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter in the cord blood and the placenta. A total of 274 pregnant women and their newborn babies were enrolled in this study. Maternal blood before delivery, the cord blood, and the placenta at birth were collected. Fatty acids in maternal erythrocytes and cord blood cells were measured by gas chromatography (GC). TL in the cord blood and the placenta was determined using real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) by calculating the product ratio of telomeric DNA to the single-copy gene β-globin. The TERT promoter methylation was analyzed by DNA bisulfite sequencing. The associations of maternal fatty acids with TL were analyzed by univariate and multivariate regression. We found that low concentrations of docosapentaenoci acid (DPA, C22: 5n-3) and total n-3 PUFAs, adrenic acid (ADA, C22: 4n-6), and osbond acid (OA, C22: 5n-6) and high concentrations of linoleic acid (LA, C18: 2n-6) in maternal erythrocytes were associated with the shortened TL in cord blood cells (estimated difference in univariate analysis −0.36 to −0.46 for extreme quintile compared with middle quintile), and that low concentrations of cord blood docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22: 6n-3) were related to the shortened TL in cord blood cells. Differently, high concentrations of α-linolenic acid (LNA, C18: 3n-3), eicosatrienoic acid (EA, C20: 3n-3), DHA, and γ-linoleic acid (GLA, C18:3n-6) in maternal erythrocytes were associated with the shortened TL in the placenta (estimated difference in univariate analysis −0.36 to −0.45 for higher quintiles compared with the middle quintile). Further examination demonstrated that the concentrations of DHA and total n-3 PUFAs in maternal erythrocytes had positive associations with DNA methylation of the TERT promoter in the cord blood instead of the placenta. These data suggest that maternal PUFAs are closely correlated to infant TL and the TERT promoter methylation, which are differently affected by maternal n-3 PUFAs between the cord blood and the placenta. Therefore, keeping higher levels of maternal n-3 PUFAs during pregnancy may help to maintain TL in the offspring, which is beneficial to long-term health.

Associations between Vitamin D, Omega 6:Omega 3 Ratio, and Biomarkers of Aging in Individuals Living with and without Chronic Pain

Elevated inflammatory cytokines and chronic pain are associated with shorter leukocyte telomere length (LTL), a measure of cellular aging. Micronutrients, such as 25-hydroxyvitamin D (vitamin D) and omega 3, have anti-inflammatory properties. Little is known regarding the relationships between vitamin D, omega 6:3 ratio, LTL, inflammation, and chronic pain. We investigate associations between vitamin D, omega 6:3 ratio, LTL, and C-reactive protein (CRP) in people living with/without chronic pain overall and stratified by chronic pain status. A cross-sectional analysis of 402 individuals (63% women, 79.5% with chronic pain) was completed. Demographic and health information was collected. Chronic pain was assessed as pain experienced for at least three months. LTL was measured in genomic DNA isolated from blood leukocytes, and micronutrients and CRP were measured in serum samples. Data were analyzed with general linear regression. Although an association between the continuous micronutrients and LTL was not observed, a positive association between omega 6:3 ratio and CRP was detected. In individuals with chronic pain, based on clinical categories, significant associations between vitamin D, omega 6:3 ratio, and CRP were observed. Findings highlight the complex relationships between anti-inflammatory micronutrients, inflammation, cellular aging, and chronic pain.

An original biomarker for the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases and their complications: Telomere length

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We studied a sample of patients with coronary heart disease.

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We analyzed the telomere length in this sample.

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We compared telomere length in patients and conventionally healthy study participants.

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Patients with coronary heart disease had shorter telomerestelomeres.

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These patients had an increased risk of cardiovascular complication.

Aim

The aim of this work was to study the effect of telomere length in the chromosomes of nuclear blood cells in individuals with coronary heart disease (CHD) on the development of cardiovascular complications (CVC).

Materials and methods

DNA was isolated from nuclear blood cells of 498 study participants. The telomere length was determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The investigation of each sample was repeated three times. Five years after the end of this study, a telephone survey of 119 patients with CHD was conducted in order to obtain data on the presence of CVC.

Results

According to the results obtained, a decrease in telomere length in patients with coronary heart disease increases the risk of subsequent development of cardiovascular complications.

Conclusion

Patients with coronary heart disease with shorter telomeres compared with conventionally healthy study participants had an increased risk of cardiovascular complications within 5 years after telomere analysis.

Biomarkers of ageing and cardiac remodeling are associated with atrial fibrillation

Objectives. Ageing is one of the strongest risk factors for atrial fibrillation (AF), and additional risk factors are also closely related to ageing. Remodeling is part of the pathophysiology of AF, and a possible common denominator of ageing and other AF risk factors. The aim of this study was to investigate any association between the presence of AF and the ageing biomarkers, leukocyte telomere length (LTL) and sirtuin-1 (SIRT-1), and the cardiac remodeling biomarkers Galectin-3 and sST2 in elderly myocardial infarction (MI) patients. Design. Patients were included after admission for MI. Diagnosis of AF was retrieved from medical records and classified as either history of AF before MI or new onset from admission to study inclusion. SIRT-1, sST2 and Galectin-3 were analyzed by ELISAs and LTL by qPCR. Results. In total, 299 patients were included, median age 75 years, 70.2% male. A history of AF was recorded in 38 patients and 30 patients experienced new onset AF. Higher levels of SIRT-1 were associated with lower risk of having a history of AF (OR = 0.46 (95% CI 0.26, 0.81), p = 0.007), whereas higher sST2 levels were associated with higher risk of AF (OR = 4.13 (95% CI 1.69, 10.13), p = 0.002). Results remained significant after adjustment for other AF risk factors. No significant associations with AF were found for Galectin-3 or LTL. None of the biomarkers associated with new onset AF. Conclusion. In elderly patients with MI, higher ST2 and lower SIRT-2 levels were associated with higher prevalence of AF, possibly reflecting both ageing and the remodeling phenomena in AF. Clinical trials registration: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01841944).

Progress of Clinical Evaluation for Vascular Aging in Humans

Human society is experiencing a serious aging process. Age-related arteriosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD) are the most common cause of deaths around the world and bring a huge burden on the whole society. Vascular aging-related pathological alterations of the vasculature play an important role in the pathogenesis of ASCVD and morbidity and mortality of older adults. In this review, we describe the progress of clinical evaluation of vascular aging in humans, including functional evaluation, structural assessment, and cellular molecular markers. The significance of detection for vascular aging is highlighted, and we call for close attention to the evaluation for a better quality of life in the elderly population.