Telomere Length and Arterial Stiffness Reflected by Brachial–Ankle Pulse Wave Velocity: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Telomere (TL) is a biomarker of biological aging, and its shortening is associated with major risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). This study aimed to identify whether TL is associated with arterial stiffness as reflected by brachial–ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). This population-based cross-sectional study involved 1065 individuals in the Iwaki area, Japan. Total TL length and TL G-tail length were measured by hybridization protection assay. The baPWV was measured on the right and left sides using a non-invasive vascular screening device. The associations between TL and baPWV were assessed by multivariate linear regression. Compared with the shortest total TL tertile, the longest total TL group showed a significant decrease in baPWV (lowest vs. highest tertile: adjusted beta: −41.24, 95% confidence interval (CI): −76.81, −5.68). The mean baPWV decreased with a longer TL (TL G-tail length: p trend < 0.001, total TL: p trend < 0.001). TL G-tail and total TL lengths were inversely associated with baPWV, implicating TL shortening in the development of CVD. This study provides evidence of the factors influencing CVD risks at a very early stage when individuals can still take necessary precautions before CVD gives rise to a symptomatic health outcome.

Telomere Shortening in Three Diabetes Mellitus Types in a Mexican Sample

“…This study found that European patients with diabetes displayed a more pronounced telomere length compared with Asian and US patients. Additionally they demonstrated that telomere length was affected by diabetes type, BMI, age and sex [ 26 ]. These results agree with other meta-analyses that concluded that a significant association between diabetes and telomere length was influenced by geographical region and diabetes type [ 18 , 27 ].…”

“…BMI was the only significant clinical variable, mainly in the T2DM group, which was found to have a higher body mass index in comparison to the LADA and LADY groups. BMI and sex have been described as strong predictors of the association between diabetes and telomere length [ 26 ]. This is supported by a study conducted by Al-Thuwaini, who found that higher waist circumference, along with higher HbA1c levels and fasting blood glucose and lower high-density lipoprotein to be correlated with shortened telomere length in diabetic patients [ 28 ].…”

Does the Protective Effect of Zinc on Telomere Length Depend on the Presence of Hypertension or Type 2 Diabetes? Results from the Iwaki Health Promotion Project, Japan

“…Total telomere length was assessed by stripping the double strand at high temperature and reacting (hydrolyzing) the probe, while G-tail was measured without stripping the double strand. The detailed methods of measurement are described in the previously published literature [11]. Coefficients of variables were less than 5% for both total telomere length and G-tail measurements.…”

“…Telomere length and G-tail length shorten in various metabolic diseases [9][10][11][12]. Chronic inflammation, accompanying increased cell proliferation, results in loss of telomere repeats [13].…”

A Unified Model of Age-Related Cardiovascular Disease

“…Importantly, these processes are linked with telomerase activity. In the case of laminar fluid stress, telomerase is required for normal endothelial cell response [ 79 ], while telomere shortening is associated with increasing arterial stiffness [ 80 ]. This vascular dysfunction is ameliorated or normalized by telomerase, causing reversion to a pattern of gene expression typical of younger endothelial cells [ 81 , 82 ], indicting endothelial cell aging in atherogenesis [ 83 ].…”