Longer Telomere Length and its Association with Lower Levels of C-Peptide

Abstract

BackgroundTelomeres undergo shortening with each cell division, which could be accelerated by increase obesity and is also related to endocrinology systems. In this study, we aimed to examine the complex association between telomere, C-peptide, and obesity as well as chronic inflammation in a large population-based cross-sectional survey.MethodsWe used data from a community-based population study, where around 1,382 participants were recruited and had telomere length measured. The association of telomere length with C-peptide was studied using multiple linear regression models. We also examined if obesity, measured by body mass index (BMI), and inflammation could affect this observed association.ResultsAround 48% of these participants were men and 52% were women. The average ages were 51.7 years old for men and 49.1 years old for women. After controlling for age and sex, 1 U increase of telomere length was associated with −0.17 (−0.28, −0.06) unit decrease of C-peptide. Additionally controlling for BMI, the association magnitude was decreased to −0.13 (−0.23, −0.04). Further adjusting for inflammation biomarker did not change the effect estimates.ConclusionLonger telomere was associated with lower levels of C-peptide. This association could be attenuated by adjusting for obesity.

C-peptide is a predictor of telomere shortening: A five-year longitudinal study

“…Our main finding on C-peptide is supported by a large crosssectional survey conducted on 1382 adult men and women, where a longer telomere was associated with lower C-peptide level (28). Very few studies report on this association, and none on the longitudinal link.…”

“…Telomere shortening has been reported to occur even before the onset of type 2 diabetes, at the prediabetes or even insulin resistance stage ( 31 ), consistent with our finding. Similarly, a community-based prospective study on 1382 participants from the NHANES population found that telomere length was inversely associated with C-peptide levels, independent of obesity and inflammation status ( 28 ). Moreover, in a subset of the Offspring cohort of the Framingham Heart Study, insulin resistance and oxidative stress were both found to be independently associated with shorter telomere length ( 32 ).…”

The Effect of Ke Peptide on the Telomere Length of Pha-Stimulated Human Lymphocytes

“…Ключевым проявлением клеточного старения является уменьшение длины теломер и достижение лимита Хейфлика. Установлено, что длина теломер коррелирует с концентрацией С-пептида в крови в норме и при метаболических нарушениях [6]. Пептид KE (Lys-Glu, Вилон) -представитель пептидных тимомиметиков, который был обнаружен в составе полипептидного комплекса Тималина.…”