Obesity and inflammation markers in relation to leukocyte telomere length in a cross-sectional study of persons with Barrett's esophagus

Study of association of leptin with leukocyte telomere length in a Chinese rural population

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have demonstrated the relationship between adipocyte factors, insulin resistance, and other indicators with telomere length. However, these studies did not consider the influence of changes in different indicators on telomere length over time. Therefore, the aim of this study is to elucidate the impact of changes in adipocyte factors, HOMA-IR, and other indicators on the dynamic variation of telomere length.

METHODS

The data were from a cohort study conducted in Ningxia, China. A total of 1624 subjects were analyzed. Adipokines and relative leukocyte telomere length (RLTL) were measured, and changes in Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), Homeostatic Model Assessment for β-Cell Function (HOMA-β), and Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index (QUICKI) were calculated. Generalized linear models evaluated associations between changes in adipokines and RLTL changes. Furthermore, univariate analyses examined the effects of changes in adipokines and insulin resistance indicators on ΔRLTL.

RESULTS

The research findings indicate that females generally have shorter telomeres compared to males. In comparison to the low-level group of Δleptin (LEP), the high-level group of ΔLEP shows a negative correlation with ΔRLTL (B=-1.32, 95% CI (-2.38, -0.27)). Even after multivariable adjustments, this relationship persists (B=-1.31, 95% CI (-2.24, -0.23)). Further analysis reveals that after adjusting for ΔHOMA-IR, ΔHOMA-β, and ΔQUICKI, the high-level group of ΔLEP still exhibits a significant negative correlation with ΔRLTL (B=-1.37, 95% CI (-2.43, -0.31)). However, the interaction effects between ΔHOMA-IR, ΔHOMA-β, ΔQUICKI, and ΔLEP do not affect ΔRLTL.

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated levels of leptin were significantly correlated with shortened telomere length. This suggests that increased leptin levels may impact overall individual health by affecting telomere length, underscoring the importance of measures to reduce leptin levels to mitigate the onset and progression of related diseases.

Association Between Telomere Length and Cardiovascular Risk: Pharmacological Treatments Affecting Telomeres and Telomerase Activity

Telomeres represent the ends of chromosomes, and they are composed of an extensive number of - TTAGGG nucleotide sequence repeats in humans. Telomeres prevent chromosome degradation, participate in stabilization, and regulate the DNA repair system. Inflammation and oxidative stress have been identified as important processes causing cardiovascular disease and accelerating telomere shortening rate. This review investigates the link between telomere length and pathological vascular conditions from experimental and human studies. Also, we discuss pharmacological treatments affecting telomeres and telomerase activity.

The Leucocyte Telomere Length, GSTM1 and GSTT1 Null Genotypes and the Risk of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Simple Summary

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by chronic inflammation and oxidative stress, both in the airways and blood, and in other organs. Elevated oxidative stress and inflammation have been reported to affect leucocyte telomere length (LTL). We explored the link between GSTM1 and GSTT1 gene polymorphisms, LTL and COPD risk. For GSTM1 and GSTT1, we genotyped 152 COPD patients and 131 non-affected controls, while for TL, we assessed 91 patients and 88 controls. There was a significant difference in GSTM1 null genotype frequency between the patients and controls (0.59 vs. 0.38, p ≤ 0.000), but such was not found for GSTT1 (p = 0.192). COPD patients carrying the GSTM1 null genotype had shorter telomeres compared to those carrying the non-null genotype (15,720 bp vs. 22,442 bp, p = 0.008); and in controls, the opposite occurred (31,354 bp vs. 17,800 bp, p = 0.020). According to our results GSTM1, but not GSTT1, null genotypes might play role in leucocyte telomere shortening, and thus be involved in the pathogenesis of COPD.

Abstract

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by chronic inflammation and oxidative stress both in the airways and blood and other organs. Elevated oxidative stress and inflammation have been reported to affect leucocyte telomere length (LTL). Glutathione S-transferase (GST) enzymes are a large family of xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes that utilize different ROS products. We aimed to explore the link between GSTM1 and GSTT1 gene polymorphisms, LTL and COPD risk. For GSTM1, we genotyped 152 COPD patients and 131 non-affected controls; for GSTT1, we genotyped 149 COPD patients and 130 controls. We were able to assess TL for 91 patients and 88 controls. There was a significant difference in the GSTM1 null genotype frequency between the patients and controls (0.59 vs. 0.38, p ≤ 0.000), but such was not found for GSTT1 (p = 0.192). When combining both polymorphisms, we obtained a significantly greater presence of at least one null genotype among patients (0.12 vs. 0.05, p = 0.027). An association between GSTT1 and LTL was not found. COPD patients carrying the GSTM1 null genotype had shorter telomeres compared to those carrying the non-null genotype (15,720 bp vs. 22,442 bp, p = 0.008); as for the controls, it was the opposite (31,354 bp vs. 17,800 bp, p = 0.020). The significance in both groups remained when combining GSTM1 and GSTT1 (COPD (at least one null) 16,409 bp vs. COPD (non-null) 22,092 bp, p = 0.029; control (at least one null) 29,666 bp vs. control (non-null) 16,370 bp, p = 0.027). The total glutathione level in GSTM1 non-null controls was higher compared to the null genotype (15.39 ng/mL vs. 5.53 ng/mL, p = 0.002). In COPD patients, we found no association (p = 0.301). In conclusion, according to our results, GSTM1, but not GSTT1, null genotypes might play a role in leucocyte telomere shortening, and thus be involved in the pathogenesis of COPD.

Obesity Accelerates Leukocyte Telomere Length Shortening in Apparently Healthy Adults: A Meta-Analysis

Background

Shorter telomere length is associated with numerous comorbidities. Several studies have investigated the role of obesity in telomere shortening. In the current systematic review and meta-analysis, we summarized the results of studies that evaluated the association between obesity and telomere length.

Methods

A systematic search from Scopus, PubMed, Embase, and ProQuest electronic databases up to 19 March 2021 without language restriction was performed and after data extraction and screening, 19 manuscripts were eligible to be included in the final meta-synthesis.

Results

The highest category of telomere length was associated with an approximate 0.75 kg/m2 reduction in body mass index (BMI; WMD = -0.75 kg/m2; CI = -1.19, -0.31; p < 0.001; I 2 = 99.4%). Moreover, overweight/obese individuals had 0.036 kbp shorter telomere length compared with non-overweight/obese adults (WMD = -0.036; CI = -0.05, -0.02; p = 0.030; I 2 = 100%). According to the results of subgroupings, continent, age, and sample size could be possible sources of heterogeneity.

Conclusion

From the results, it was clear that obesity was associated with shorter telomere length. Because of the observational design of included studies, the causality inference of results should be done with caution; thus, further longitudinal studies are warranted for better inference of causal association.

Association between body temperature and leukocyte telomere length in Korean middle-aged and older adults

OBJECTIVES

Data on associations between body temperature (BT) and leukocyte telomere length (LTL), which has been widely used as a biomarker of cellular senescence in recent epidemiological studies, are limited. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the associations between a normal BT range (35.0-37.5°C) and LTL via 6-year longitudinal observations of 2,004 male and female adults aged 50 or older.

METHODS

BT was obtained by measuring the tympanic temperature, and relative LTL was determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Robust regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between the baseline and follow-up LTL values and their differences.

RESULTS

A significant inverse association was found between BT and LTL at baseline. The regression coefficient estimate was -0.03 (95% confidence interval, -0.07 to -0.001; p<0.05). This association was stronger in participants with a body mass index >25 kg/m² and males (p<0.01). However, there were no associations between BT and LTL at follow-up or BT and 6-year longitudinal differences in LTL.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that having a high BT between 35°C and 37.5°C (95°F and 99°F) may be detrimental for obese individuals in terms of biological aging.

Central obesity accelerates leukocyte telomere length (LTL) shortening in apparently healthy adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Shorter telomere length is associated with numerous comorbidities; central obesity might trigger leukocyte telomere shortening; in the current meta-analysis we evaluated the association of central obesity with leukocyte telomere length among adults. A systematic search from Scopus, PubMed, Embase and Proquest electronic databases up to May 2021 was done. The final screening, provided five articles to be included in final meta-analysis. Those in the highest category of telomere length had 3.72 cm lower waist circumference (WC) compared with those in the lowest category (WMD=-3.718; CI=-7.180, -0.257 P = 0.035; I² = 95.4%). Also, those in the highest LTL category had 0.02 lower waist to hip ratio (WHR) compared with those in the lowest category, although this association was not significant (WMD: -0.02; CI=-0.04, 0.01; P = 0.19; I²= 90.7%). In quality assessment of included studies, all of the studies had moderate or high quality score and there was no study with poor quality. Higher leukocyte telomere length was accompanied with lower WC among adults. This association was not significant for difference in WHR. Because of the high heterogeneity values and also because of the observational design of included studies, the inference of causality of these associations needs further investigations.Supplemental data for this article is available online at https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2021.1971155 .

Serum anti-inflammatory and inflammatory markers have no causal impact on telomere length: a Mendelian randomization study

INTRODUCTION

The relationship between inflammatory and anti-inflammatory markers and telomere length (TL), a biological index of aging, is still poorly understood. By applying a 2-sample Mendelian randomization (MR), we investigated the causal associations between adiponectin, bilirubin, C-reactive protein (CRP), leptin, and serum uric acid (SUA) with TL.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

MR was implemented by using summary-level data from the largest ever genome-wide association studies (GWAS) conducted on our interested exposure and TL. Inverse variance weighted method (IVW), weighted median (WM)-based method, MR-Egger, MR-Robust Adjusted Profile Score (RAPS), and MR-Pleiotropy RESidual Sum and Outlier (PRESSO) were applied. Sensitivity analysis was conducted using the leave-one-out method.

RESULTS

With regard to adiponectin, CRP, leptin, and SUA levels, we found no effect on TL for all 4 types of tests (all p > 0.108). Results of the MR-Egger (p = 0.892) and IVW (p = 0.124) showed that bilirubin had no effect on telomere maintenance, whereas the results of the WM (p = 0.030) and RAPS (p = 0.022) were negative, with higher bilirubin concentrations linked to shorter TL. There was a low likelihood of heterogeneity for all the estimations, except for bilirubin (IVW p = 0.026, MR Egger p = 0.018). MR-PRESSO highlighted no outlier. For all the estimations, we observed negligible intercepts that were indicative of low likelihood of the pleiotropy (all p > 0.161). The results of leave-one-out method demonstrated that the links are not driven because of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results highlight that neither the anti-inflammatory nor pro-inflammatory markers tested have any significant causal effect on TL. The casual role of bilirubin on TL still needs to be investigated.

Active surveillance in prostate cancer management: where do we stand now?

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common cancer in men, with a steadily rising incidence, affecting on average one in six men during their lifetime. The increase in morbidity is related to the increasing overall life expectancy, prostate-specific antigen testing, implementation of new molecular markers for cancer detection and the more frequent application of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging. There is growing evidence demonstrating that active surveillance (AS) is an alternative to immediate intervention in patients with very low- and low-risk prostate cancer. Ongoing reports from multiple studies have consistently demonstrated a very low rate of metastases and prostate cancer specific mortality in selected cohorts of patients. As a matter of fact, AS has been adopted by many institutions as a safe and effective management strategy. The aim of our review is to summarize the contemporary data on AS in patients affected with PCa with the intention to present the most clinically useful and pertinent AS protocols.

The Dietary Inflammatory Index® and Alternative Healthy Eating Index 2010 in relation to leucocyte telomere length in postmenopausal women: a cross-sectional study

Telomeres are nucleoprotein complexes that form the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes where they protect DNA from genomic instability, prevent end-to-end fusion and limit cellular replicative capabilities. Increased telomere attrition rates, and relatively shorter telomere length, is associated with genomic instability and has been linked with several chronic diseases, malignancies and reduced longevity. Telomeric DNA is highly susceptible to oxidative damage and dietary habits may make an impact on telomere attrition rates through the mediation of oxidative stress and chronic inflammation. The aim of this study was to examine the association between leucocyte telomere length (LTL) with both the Dietary Inflammatory Index^® 2014 (DII^®) and the Alternative Healthy Eating Index 2010 (AHEI-2010). This is a cross-sectional analysis using baseline data from 263 postmenopausal women from the Alberta Physical Activity and Breast Cancer Prevention (ALPHA) Trial, in Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. No statistically significant association was detected between LTL z-score and the AHEI-2010 (P = 0·20) or DII^® (P = 0·91) in multivariable adjusted models. An exploratory analysis of AHEI-2010 and DII^® parameters and LTL revealed anthocyanidin intake was associated with LTL (P < 0·01); however, this association was non-significant after a Bonferroni correction was applied (P = 0·27). No effect modification by age, smoking history, or recreational physical activity was detected for either relationship. Increased dietary antioxidant and decreased oxidant intake were not associated with LTL in this analysis.

DNA damage in obesity: Initiator, promoter and predictor of cancer

Epidemiological evidence linking obesity with increased risk of cancer is steadily growing, although the causative aspects underpinning this association are only partially understood. Obesity leads to a physiological imbalance in the regulation of adipose tissue and its normal functioning, resulting in hyperglycaemia, dyslipidaemia and inflammation. These states promote the generation of oxidative stress, which is exacerbated in obesity by a decline in anti-oxidant defence systems. Oxidative stress can have a marked impact on DNA, producing mutagenic lesions that could prove carcinogenic. Here we review the current evidence for genomic instability, sustained DNA damage and accelerated genome ageing in obesity. We explore the notion of genotoxicity, ensuing from systemic oxidative stress, as a key oncogenic factor in obesity. Finally, we advocate for early, pre-malignant assessment of genome integrity and stability to inform surveillance strategies and interventions.

BCL2 and miR-181a transcriptional alterations in umbilical-cord blood cells can be putative biomarkers for obesity

Several findings suggest that in utero stressor stimuli can alter fetal development by promoting transcriptional changes, and predisposing the neonate to diseases later in life. This study aimed to investigate whether a hyperglycemic environment in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is able to cause fetal genetic alterations and predispose neonates to obesity. Transcriptional alteration of SIRT1, TP53 and BCL2 genes, miR-181a (a SIRT1 or BCL2 regulator) and telomere length were evaluated in placental and umbilical-cord blood cells. Healthy (HP; n = 20) and GDM (n = 20) pregnant women and their respective neonates were included in the study. Additionally, obese (n = 20) and eutrophic (n = 20) adults also participated as reference populations. Gene expression data showed down-regulation of BCL2 in umbilical-cord and peripheral blood cells from GDM neonates and obese adults, respectively. The miR-181a was down-regulated only in umbilical-cord blood cells of GDM neonates. Telomere length presented no significant difference. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that the GDM hyperglycemic intrauterine environment promotes transcriptional alterations in BCL2 and miR-181a in neonate umbilical-cord blood cells. Furthermore, both GDM neonates and obese subjects share the same transcriptional alteration in BCL2. Considering the relationship between obesity development and the functions regulated by these two genes, BCL2 and miR-181a could be adopted as potential biomarkers for childhood obesity. However, further study designs are recommended to confirm this hypothesis.

Association between telomere length and diabetes mellitus: A meta-analysis

Objective We investigated the relationship between diabetes and telomere length by meta-analysis. Methods We searched five popular databases for articles published between 1990 and 2015 using "diabetes" and "telomere" as search terms. Data were processed with RevMan5, and random- or fixed-effects meta-analysis was applied. The effects of geographical region, diabetes type, body mass index (BMI), age and sex were examined. Funnel plots were applied to evaluate publication bias. Results Seventeen articles were obtained from 571 references. We identified a significant association between telomere length and diabetes mellitus (standardized mean difference [SMD]: -3.41; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -4.01, -2.80; heterogeneity, I2 = 99%) by comparing 5575 patients with diabetes and 6349 healthy individuals. The pooled SMD by geographic region indicated a significant association between shortened telomere length and diabetes mellitus (SMD: -3.41; 95% CI: -4.01, -2.80; heterogeneity, I2 = 99%). In addition, telomere length was significantly associated with age (SMD: -3.41; 95% CI: -4.01, -2.80), diabetes type (SMD: -3.41; 95% CI: -4.01, -2.80), BMI (SMD: -1.61; 95% CI: -1.98, -1.23) and sex (SMD: -4.94; 95% CI: -9.47, -0.40). Conclusions The study demonstrated a close relationship between diabetes mellitus and telomere length, which was influenced by region, age, diabetes type, BMI and sex.

Association between Genetic Variations Affecting Mean Telomere Length and the Prevalence of Hypertension and Coronary Heart Disease in Koreans

In this study, we investigated whether the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with telomere length (TL) were associated with the incidence of hypertension (HTN)/coronary heart disease (CHD) and cardiovascular risk factors in the Korean population. Data from 5,705 (ages 39–70) participants in the Korean Genome Epidemiology Study (rural Ansung and urban Ansan cohorts) were studied. Twelve SNPs known to be associated with telomere biology were tested for an association with HTN/CHD. As results, no significant associations were found between the selected TL-related SNPs and prevalence of HTN and CHD. Among non-alcohol users, subjects with minor alleles in rs1269304 and rs10936601 (TERC and LRRC34, respectively) exhibited a higher rate of CHD occurrence (odds ratio [OR], 1.862; 95% confidence intervals [CIs], 1.137, 3.049; OR, 1.855; 95% CIs, 1.111, 2.985; respectively). However, alcohol users with minor alleles in rs398652 (PELI2) were significantly associated with higher HTN prevalence (OR, 1.179; 95% CIs, 1.040, 1.336). Of the 3 SNPs related to disease outcomes, rs1296304 was significantly associated with increased levels of diastolic blood pressure (β estimate, 0.470; 95% CIs, 0.013, 0.926). The minor allele in rs398652 was significantly associated with higher levels of body mass index (OR, 0.128; 95% CIs, 0.010, 0.246) and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (OR, 0.013; 95% CIs, 0.001, 0.024). In conclusion, there were no significant associations between the selected TL-related SNPs and the occurrence of HTN/CHD in Koreans. However, the results suggest the presence of a possible interaction between related SNPs and alcohol behavior associated with HTN/CHD occurrence.

Global DNA methylation patterns in Barrett's esophagus, dysplastic Barrett's, and esophageal adenocarcinoma are associated with BMI, gender, and tobacco use

BACKGROUND

The risk of developing Barrett's esophagus (BE) and/or esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) is associated with specific demographic and behavioral factors, including gender, obesity/elevated body mass index (BMI), and tobacco use. Alterations in DNA methylation, an epigenetic modification that can affect gene expression and that can be influenced by environmental factors, is frequently present in both BE and EAC and is believed to play a role in the formation of BE and its progression to EAC. It is currently unknown whether obesity or tobacco smoking influences the risk of developing BE/EAC via the induction of alterations in DNA methylation. To investigate this possibility, we assessed the genome-wide methylation status of 81 esophageal tissues, including BE, dysplastic BE, and EAC epithelia using HumanMethylation450 BeadChips (Illumina).

RESULTS

We found numerous differentially methylated loci in the esophagus tissues when comparing males to females, obese to lean individuals, and smokers to nonsmokers. Differences in DNA methylation between these groups were seen in a variety of functional genomic regions and both within and outside of CpG islands. Several cancer-related pathways were found to have differentially methylated genes between these comparison groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest obesity and tobacco smoking may influence DNA methylation in the esophagus and raise the possibility that these risk factors affect the development of BE, dysplastic BE, and EAC through influencing the epigenetic status of specific loci that have a biologically plausible role in cancer formation.

BMP4 promotes a phenotype change of an esophageal squamous epithelium via up-regulation of KLF4

INTRODUCTION

Barrett's esophagus is a metaplastic lesion. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the roles of KLF4 and BMP4 in the pathogenesis of Barrett's epithelium.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Immunohistochemistry was used to analyse the expression of KLF4, BMP4, CDX2, MUC2 and MUC5AC in human esophageal specimens. Human esophageal squamous epithelial cells were subjected to bile acid treatment and used in transfection experiments. Quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot analysis were used to detect the expression of KLF4, BMP4, CDX2, MUC2 and MUC5ac.

RESULTS

In human tissues, Barrett's epithelium strongly expressed BMP4, p-Smad1/5/8 and KLF4. Furthermore, bile acids increased the expression of BMP4, KLF4, p-Smad1/5/8, CDX2, MUC2 and MUC5ac in esophageal epithelial cells in a time-dependent manner. Moreover, we found that BMP4 up-regulated the expression of KLF4, CDX2, MUC2 and MUC5ac, but Noggin, a specific BMP4 antagonist, can block the expression of KLF4, CDX2, MUC2 and MUC5ac induced by BMP4. However, BMP4 cannot induce the expression of CDX2, MUC2 and MUC5ac in cells with KLF4 siRNA, and Noggin cannot block the expression of KLF4, CDX2, MUC2 and MUC5ac in cells transfected with the KLF4 expression vector.

CONCLUSION

Our results demonstrate that BMP4 promotes a phenotype change of an esophageal squamous epithelium via up-regulation of KLF4.

Leukocyte telomere length in relation to the risk of Barrett's esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma

Chronic inflammation and oxidative damage caused by obesity, cigarette smoking, and chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are major risk factors associated with Barrett's esophagus (BE) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). EAC has been increasing the past few decades, and early discovery and treatment are crucial for survival. Telomere shortening due to cell division and oxidative damage may reflect the impact of chronic inflammation and could possibly be used as predictor for disease development. We examined the prevalence of shorter leukocyte telomere length (LTL) among individuals with GERD, BE, or EAC using a pooled analysis of studies from the Barrett's and Esophageal Adenocarcinoma Consortium (BEACON). Telomere length was measured in leukocyte DNA samples by Q-PCR. Participants included 1173 patients (386 with GERD, 384 with EAC, 403 with BE) and 736 population-based controls. The association of LTL (in tertiles) along the continuum of disease progression from GERD to BE to EAC was calculated using study-specific odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) from logistic regression models adjusted for potential confounders. Shorter LTL were less prevalent among GERD patients (OR 0.57; 95% CI: 0.35-0.93), compared to population-based controls. No statistically significant increased prevalence of short/long LTL among individuals with BE or EAC was observed. In contrast to some earlier reports, our findings add to the evidence that leukocyte telomere length is not a biomarker of risk related to the etiology of EAC. The findings do not suggest a relationship between LTL and BE or EAC.

Shortened leukocyte telomere length in type 2 diabetes mellitus: genetic polymorphisms in mitochondrial uncoupling proteins and telomeric pathways

Current debate in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) has focused on shortened leukocyte telomere length (LTL) as the result of a number of possible causes, including polymorphisms in mitochondrial uncoupling proteins (UCPs) leading to oxidative stress, telomere regulatory pathway gene polymorphisms, or as a direct result of associated cardiovascular complications inducing tissue organ inflammation and oxidative stress. There is evidence that a heritable shorter telomere trait is a risk factor for development of T2DM. This review discusses the contribution and balance of genetic regulation of UCPs and telomere pathways in the context of T2DM. We discuss genotypes that are well known to influence the shortening of LTL, in particular OBFC1 and telomerase genotypes such as TERC. Interestingly, the interaction between short telomeres and T2DM risk appears to involve mitochondrial dysfunction as an intermediate process. A hypothesis is presented that genetic heterogeneity within UCPs may directly affect oxidative stress that feeds back to influence the fine balance of telomere regulation, cell cycle regulation and diabetes risk and/or metabolic disease progression.

Divergence of mechanistic pathways mediating cardiovascular aging and developmental programming of cardiovascular disease

Aging and developmental programming are both associated with oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction, suggesting common mechanistic origins. However, their interrelationship has been little explored. In a rodent model of programmed cardiovascular dysfunction we determined endothelial function and vascular telomere length in young (4 mo) and aged (15 mo) adult offspring of normoxic or hypoxic pregnancy with or without maternal antioxidant treatment. We show loss of endothelial function [maximal arterial relaxation to acetylcholine (71 ± 3 vs. 55 ± 3%) and increased vascular short telomere abundance (4.2–1.3 kb) 43.0 ± 1.5 vs. 55.1 ± 3.8%) in aged vs. young offspring of normoxic pregnancy (P < 0.05). Hypoxic pregnancy in young offspring accelerated endothelial dysfunction (maximal arterial relaxation to acetylcholine: 42 ± 1%, P < 0.05) but this was dissociated from increased vascular short telomere length abundance. Maternal allopurinol rescued maximal arterial relaxation to acetylcholine in aged offspring of normoxic or hypoxic pregnancy but not in young offspring of hypoxic pregnancy. Aged offspring of hypoxic allopurinol pregnancy compared with aged offspring of untreated hypoxic pregnancy had lower levels of short telomeres (vascular short telomere length abundance 35.1 ± 2.5 vs. 48.2 ± 2.6%) and of plasma proinflammatory chemokine (24.6 ± 2.8 vs. 36.8 ± 5.5 pg/ml, P < 0.05). These data provide evidence for divergence of mechanistic pathways mediating cardiovascular aging and developmental programming of cardiovascular disease, and aging being decelerated by antioxidants even prior to birth.—Allison, B. J., Kaandorp, J. J., Kane, A. D., Camm, E. J., Lusby, C., Cross, C. M., Nevin-Dolan, R., Thakor, A. S., Derks, J. B., Tarry-Adkins, J. L., Ozanne, S. E., Giussani, D. A. Divergence of mechanistic pathways mediating cardiovascular aging and developmental programming of cardiovascular disease.