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Pölönen J, Pinola P, Ronkainen J, Blakemore AI, Buxton JL, Tapanainen JS, Franks S, Piltonen TT, Sebert S, Morin-Papunen L. Polycystic ovary syndrome and leukocyte telomere length: cross-sectional and longitudinal changes. Eur J Endocrinol 2022; 187:651-661. [PMID: 36074951 PMCID: PMC9578080 DOI: 10.1530/eje-22-0462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Telomeres are DNA-protein complexes that protect chromosome ends from DNA damage and are surrogate biomarkers of cellular aging. Current evidence, almost entirely from cross-sectional observations, supports negative associations between leukocyte telomere length (LTL) and adverse lifestyle factors and cardiometabolic risk factors. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the most common gynecological endocrine disorder, is associated with inflammation and oxidative stress, both factors associated with accelerated telomere attrition. We therefore hypothesized that LTL would be shorter and decrease more rapidly in women with PCOS in comparison to a control population. DESIGN This is a population-based cohort study comprising women of Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966, with clinical examinations at ages 31 and 46. The sample included self-reported PCOS (age 31, n = 190; age 46, n = 207) and referent women (age 31, n = 1054; age 46, n = 1324) with data on LTL. METHODS The association between LTL and PCOS at ages 31 and 46 was analyzed by linear regression models adjusted for BMI, smoking, alcohol consumption and socioeconomic status at the corresponding age. RESULTS Women with PCOS had similar mean LTL at ages 31 and 46 (P > 0.4 for both). The mean LTL change between ages 31 and 46 did not differ between groups (P = 0.19). However, we observed a significant LTL attrition between ages 31 and 46 in the reference population (P < 0.001), but not in women with PCOS (P = 0.96). CONCLUSIONS This finding may suggest a difference in the LTL attrition rate in women with PCOS, an unexpected finding that might affect their risk of age-related disease. Further research is needed to clarify the underlying mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Pölönen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Oulu and Oulu University Hospital, Medical Research Center, PEDEGO Research Unit, Oulu, Finland
| | - Pekka Pinola
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Oulu and Oulu University Hospital, Medical Research Center, PEDEGO Research Unit, Oulu, Finland
- Correspondence should be addressed to P Pinola or S Franks; or
| | - Justiina Ronkainen
- Center for Life Course Health Research, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Alex I Blakemore
- Department of Life Sciences, College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, London, UK
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Jessica L Buxton
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy and Chemistry, Kingston University London, London, UK
| | - Juha S Tapanainen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Oulu and Oulu University Hospital, Medical Research Center, PEDEGO Research Unit, Oulu, Finland
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Stephen Franks
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Correspondence should be addressed to P Pinola or S Franks; or
| | - Terhi T Piltonen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Oulu and Oulu University Hospital, Medical Research Center, PEDEGO Research Unit, Oulu, Finland
| | - Sylvain Sebert
- Center for Life Course Health Research, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Laure Morin-Papunen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Oulu and Oulu University Hospital, Medical Research Center, PEDEGO Research Unit, Oulu, Finland
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