scholarly journals Metabolic Signature of Leukocyte Telomere Length in Elite Male Soccer Players

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shamma Al-Muraikhy ◽  
Maha Sellami ◽  
Alexander S Domling ◽  
Najeha Rizwana ◽  
Abdelali Agouni ◽  
...  

Introduction: Biological aging is associated with changes in the metabolic pathways. Leukocyte telomere length (LTL) is a predictive marker of biological aging; however, the underlying metabolic pathways remain largely unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the metabolic alterations and identify the metabolic predictors of LTL in elite male soccer players.Methods: Levels of 837 blood metabolites and LTL were measured in 126 young elite male soccer players who tested negative for doping abuse at anti-doping laboratory in Italy. Multivariate analysis using orthogonal partial least squares (OPLS), univariate linear models and enrichment analyses were conducted to identify metabolites and metabolic pathways associated with LTL. Generalized linear model followed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis were conducted to identify top metabolites predictive of LTL.Results: Sixty-seven metabolites and seven metabolic pathways showed significant associations with LTL. Among enriched pathways, lysophospholipids, benzoate metabolites, and glycine/serine/threonine metabolites were elevated with longer LTL. Conversely, monoacylglycerols, sphingolipid metabolites, long chain fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids were enriched with shorter telomeres. ROC analysis revealed eight metabolites that best predict LTL, including glutamine, N-acetylglutamine, xanthine, beta-sitosterol, N2-acetyllysine, stearoyl-arachidonoyl-glycerol (18:0/20:4), N-acetylserine and 3-7-dimethylurate with AUC of 0.75 (0.64–0.87, p < 0.0001).Conclusion: This study characterized the metabolic activity in relation to telomere length in elite soccer players. Investigating the functional relevance of these associations could provide a better understanding of exercise physiology and pathophysiology of elite athletes.

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (9) ◽  
pp. 906-917
Author(s):  
Adiba Ashrafi ◽  
Stephanie Cosentino ◽  
Min S. Kang ◽  
Joseph H. Lee ◽  
Nicole Schupf ◽  
...  

AbstractObjective:Leukocyte telomere length (LTL) is a widely hypothesized biomarker of biological aging. Persons with shorter LTL may have a greater likelihood of developing dementia. We investigate whether LTL is associated with cognitive function, differently for individuals without cognitive impairment versus individuals with dementia or incipient dementia.Method:Enrolled subjects belong to the Long Life Family Study (LLFS), a multi-generational cohort study, where enrollment was predicated upon exceptional family longevity. Included subjects had valid cognitive and telomere data at baseline. Exclusion criteria were age ≤ 60 years, outlying LTL, and missing sociodemographic/clinical information. Analyses were performed using linear regression with generalized estimating equations, adjusting for sex, age, education, country, generation, and lymphocyte percentage.Results:Older age and male gender were associated with shorter LTL, and LTL was significantly longer in family members than spouse controls (p < 0.005). LTL was not associated with working or episodic memory, semantic processing, and information processing speed for 1613 cognitively unimpaired individuals as well as 597 individuals with dementia or incipient dementia (p < 0.005), who scored significantly lower on all cognitive domains (p < 0.005).Conclusions:Within this unique LLFS cohort, a group of families assembled on the basis of exceptional survival, LTL is unrelated to cognitive ability for individuals with and without cognitive impairment. LTL does not change in the context of degenerative disease for these individuals who are biologically younger than the general population.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 207-208
Author(s):  
Joseph Zmuda ◽  
Joseph Lee ◽  
Lawrence Honig ◽  
Kaare Christensen ◽  
Mary Feitosa ◽  
...  

Abstract Leukocyte telomere length (LTL) is a potential marker of biological aging, but its relationship to fatigability, a prognostic indicator of phenotypic aging (e.g., functional decline) is unknown. We hypothesized shorter LTL would predict greater perceived physical fatigability. Two generations of participants (N=1,997; 309 probands, 1,688 offspring) were from the Long Life Family Study (age=73.7±10.4, range 60-108, 54.4% women). LTL was assayed at baseline and 8.0±1.1 years later perceived physical fatigability was measured using the validated, self-administered 10-item Pittsburgh Fatigability Scale (PFS, 0-50, higher scores=greater fatigability). Prevalence of greater physical fatigability (PFS scores≥15) was 41.9%. Using multivariate linear regression, one kilobase pair shorter LTL predicted higher PFS Physical scores (β=0.9, p=0.025), adjusted for family relatedness, generation (indicator for age), field center, follow-up time, sex, and follow-up body mass index, physical activity, health conditions. LTL, a promising marker of future fatigability, may allow for early identification of those at-risk for deleterious aging.


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Are A. Kalstad ◽  
Sjur Tveit ◽  
Peder L. Myhre ◽  
Kristian Laake ◽  
Trine B. Opstad ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Telomeres are non-coding sequences at the end of eukaryote chromosomes, which in complex with associated proteins serve to protect subtelomeric DNA. Telomeres shorten with each cell division, are regarded as a biomarker for aging and have also been suggested to play a role in atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease (CVD). The aim of the present study was to explore the associations between leukocyte telomere length and serum polyunsaturated fatty acids, diet, cardiovascular risk factors and features of myocardial infarction (MI) in elderly patients. Methods The material is based upon the first 299 included patients in the OMEMI trial, where patients aged 70–82 years of age are randomized to receive omega-3 supplements or corn oil (placebo) after MI. Patients were included 2–8 weeks after the index MI. DNA was extracted from whole blood, and leukocyte telomere length (LTL) was analyzed by qPCR and reported as a number relative to a reference gene. Serum long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA) content was analyzed by gas chromatography. Diet was evaluated with the validated SmartDiet food frequency questionnaire. Medical records, patient interviews and clinical examination provided previous medical history and anthropometric data. Non-parametric statistical tests were used. Results Median (25, 75 percentile) LTL was 0.55 (0.42, 0.72). Patients had a median age of 75 years, 70.2% were male and 45.2% used omega-3 supplements. There was a weak, but significant correlation between LTL and linoleic acid (r = 0.139, p = 0.017), but not with other LCPUFAs. There was a trend towards longer telomeres with a healthier diet, but this did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.073). No associations were found between LTL and CVD risk factors or features of MI. Conclusions In our population of elderly with a recent myocardial infarction LTL was associated with linoleic acid concentrations, but not with other LCPUFAs. Patients with a healthy diet tended to have longer telomeres. The limited associations may be due to age and the narrow age-span in our population. Further studies, designed to detect longitudinal changes should be performed to explore the role of telomeres in cardiovascular aging. Trial registration Clinical trials no. NCT01841944, registration date April 29, 2013.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Buyun Liu ◽  
Yangbo Sun ◽  
Guifeng Xu ◽  
Shuang Rong ◽  
Wei Bao

Abstract Objectives DNA damage induced by oxidative stress is implicated in accelerated telomere shortening, a biomarker of biological aging. Although selenium has antioxidant properties, its impact on telomere length is largely unknown. This study aimed to examine the association between dietary selenium intake and leukocyte telomere length in a nationally representative sample of US adults. Methods We included 7409 adults aged 20 years or older who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999–2002. Dietary selenium intake was calculated using data collected in the 24-hour dietary recall. Leukocyte telomere length was assayed using the quantitative polymerase chain reaction method. The association between selenium intake and telomere length was estimated by weighted linear regression models adjusting for demographic, socioeconomic and lifestyle factors, body mass index, supplements intake, and leukocyte cell type composition. Results The average dietary selenium intake was 109.1 mg/d (standard error [SE] 1.15). We didn't find a significant association between dietary selenium intake and telomere length in US adults. The average telomere length (SE) was 1.01 (0.02), 1.01 (0.01), and 1.04 (0.01) across increasing tertiles of dietary selenium intake. However, a significant interaction was observed for age (P = 0.02). Among individuals aged 20–44 years, the β coefficient of log-transformed telomere length, compared to lowest tertile of dietary selenium intake, was −0.041 (SE 0.012, P = 0.002) and −0.033 (SE 0.018, P = 0.07) for middle tertile and the highest tertile of selenium intake, respectively. The corresponding β coefficient was 0.009 (SE 0.016, P = 0.59) and −0.001 (SE 0.012, P = 0.95), respectively, for adults 45–64 years old, and 0.017 (SE 0.015, P = 0.28) and 0.059 (SE 0.021, P = 0.01), respectively, for those aged 65 years or older. The results were not appreciably changed even after additionally adjustment for dietary intake of vitamin A, vitamin E, and zinc. Conclusions The association between dietary selenium intake and telomere length differed significantly by age groups, indicating that higher selenium intake may prevent telomere shortening in older adults but not in younger or middle-aged adults. Further studies about the underlying mechanisms are warranted. Funding Sources NA.


Circulation ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 129 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yun Zhu ◽  
Jiang He ◽  
Jue Lin ◽  
Tet Matsuguchi ◽  
Elizabeth Blackburn ◽  
...  

Background: Telomere length is an emerging biomarker for cellular senescence or biological aging. Short leukocyte telomere length (LTL) has been associated with a wide range of age-related metabolic disorders such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Telomere attrition induces profound metabolic dysfunction in animal models, but no study has examined the metabolic profiles of biological aging assessed by telomere length in human. Objective: To identify metabolic profiles of leukocyte telomere length in American Indians participating in the Strong Heart Family Study (SHFS, 2001-2003). Methods: This study included 432 SHFS participants free of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. LTL was measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Plasma metabolites were detected using an untargeted metabolomics approach by high-resolution liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/MS). The association of leukocyte telomere length with concentration of each metabolite was examined using generalized estimating equation (GEE), adjusting for age, sex, study center, body mass index, fasting glucose and fasting insulin. Multiple testing was corrected by Bonferroni correction (significance level 2.8х10-6). Results: After adjusting for covariates and multiple testing, three metabolites including cytosine, selenophosphate and pentyl propanoate, were significantly associated with LTL. Of these, cytosine was positively associated with LTL (β=0.0476, 95% CI, 0.0474 to 0.0478, P=1.90х10-7), and selenophosphate (β =-0.1522, 95% CI, -0.1525 to -0.1519, P=2.48х10-8) and pentyl propanoate (β =-0.0644, 95% CI, -0.0683 to -0.0606, P=1.08х10-8) were negatively associated with LTL. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that participants with longer (top telomere tertile) and shorter (bottom telomere tertile) LTL can be clearly separated by partial least square discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) using these three metabolites. Multiple unknown compounds were also independently associated with LTL. Conclusions: This study, for the first time, identifies metabolites and metabolic profiles associated with interindividual variability in leukocyte telomere length, independent of potential confounders. Our findings provide novel insights into understanding of telomere biology and metabolic mechanisms underlying age-related disorders.


SLEEP ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 42 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Judith E Carroll ◽  
Michael R Irwin ◽  
Teresa E Seeman ◽  
Ana V Diez-Roux ◽  
Aric A Prather ◽  
...  

AbstractStudy ObjectivesSleep disturbances and sleep apnea are associated with increased vulnerability to age-related disease, altering molecular pathways affecting biological aging. Telomere length captures one component of biological aging. We evaluated whether objectively assessed sleep and sleep apnea relate to leukocyte telomere length (LTL) in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).MethodsMen and women aged 44–84 years (n = 672) from the MESA Stress and MESA Sleep studies underwent polysomnography and 7 day actigraphy (at Exam 5) and assessment of LTL (at baseline [Exam 1] and about 10 years later [Exam 5]).ResultsGeneral linear models adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, BMI, physical activity, and smoking found that severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA; apnea–hypopnea index > 30) was cross-sectionally associated with shorter LTL (p = 0.007). Modest associations of shorter LTL with less rapid eye movement sleep, more stage 1 sleep, wake after sleep onset >30 min, and long sleep duration were found, but these effects were diminished after adjusting for lifestyle and OSA. Exploratory analyses found that higher arousal index at Exam 5 was associated with greater LTL decline over the prior 10 years (p = 0.004).ConclusionsOSA was associated with shorter LTL. Individuals with high-arousal frequency had greater leukocyte telomere attrition over the prior decade. These findings suggest that sleep apnea and sleep fragmentation are associated with accelerated biological aging.


2013 ◽  
Vol 28 ◽  
pp. 16-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janice K. Kiecolt-Glaser ◽  
Elissa S. Epel ◽  
Martha A. Belury ◽  
Rebecca Andridge ◽  
Jue Lin ◽  
...  

2016 ◽  
Vol 120 (2) ◽  
pp. 148-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua Denham ◽  
Brendan J. O'Brien ◽  
Priscilla R. Prestes ◽  
Nicholas J. Brown ◽  
Fadi J. Charchar

Leukocyte telomeres shorten with age, and excessive shortening is associated with age-related cardiometabolic diseases. Exercise training may prevent disease through telomere length maintenance although the optimal amount of exercise that attenuates telomere attrition is unknown. Furthermore, the underlying molecular mechanisms responsible for the enhanced telomere maintenance observed in endurance athletes is poorly understood. We quantified the leukocyte telomere length and analyzed the expression of telomere-regulating genes in endurance athletes and healthy controls (both n = 61), using quantitative PCR. We found endurance athletes have significantly longer (7.1%, 208-416 nt) leukocyte telomeres and upregulated TERT (2.0-fold) and TPP1 (1.3-fold) mRNA expression compared with controls in age-adjusted analysis. The telomere length and telomere-regulating gene expression differences were no longer statistically significant after adjustment for resting heart rate and relative V̇o2 max (all P > 0.05). Resting heart rate emerged as an independent predictor of leukocyte telomere length and TERT and TPP1 mRNA expression in stepwise regression models. To gauge whether volume of exercise was associated with leukocyte telomere length, we divided subjects into running and cycling tertiles (distance covered per week) and found individuals in the middle and highest tertiles had longer telomeres than individuals in the lowest tertile. These data emphasize the importance of cardiorespiratory fitness and exercise training in the prevention of biological aging. They also support the concept that moderate amounts of exercise training protects against biological aging, while higher amounts may not elicit additional benefits.


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