Telomere Length as a Biomarker of Biological Aging in Shift Workers

Ledda, Caterina; Loreto, Carla; Rapisarda, Venerando

doi:10.3390/app10082764

Cited by 12 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 78 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…There is evidence of accelerated telomere shortening in shift workers. In a recent systematic review of the literature, Ledda et al identified seven studies that underlined that the intensity of shift work is related to modest TL shortening [249]. For instance, a significant decrease in LTL was seen in nurses having worked in night shifts for ≥12 years (β = −0.07) [250], and salivary TL was shortest among those who worked >4 consecutive night shifts for ≥5 years [251].…”

Section: Shift Workmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic, Environmental and Lifestyle Determinants of Accelerated Telomere Attrition as Contributors to Risk and Severity of Multiple Sclerosis

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Telomeres are protective structures at the ends of linear chromosomes. Shortened telomere lengths (TL) are an indicator of premature biological aging and have been associated with a wide spectrum of disorders, including multiple sclerosis (MS). MS is a chronic inflammatory, demyelinating and neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system. The exact cause of MS is still unclear. Here, we provide an overview of genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors that have been described to influence TL and to contribute to susceptibility to MS and possibly disease severity. We show that several early-life factors are linked to both reduced TL and higher risk of MS, e.g., adolescent obesity, lack of physical activity, smoking and vitamin D deficiency. This suggests that the mechanisms underlying the disease are connected to cellular aging and senescence promoted by increased inflammation and oxidative stress. Additional prospective research is needed to clearly define the extent to which lifestyle changes can slow down disease progression and prevent accelerated telomere loss in individual patients. It is also important to further elucidate the interactions between shared determinants of TL and MS. In future, cell type-specific studies and advanced TL measurement methods could help to better understand how telomeres may be causally involved in disease processes and to uncover novel opportunities for improved biomarkers and therapeutic interventions in MS.

show abstract

Section: Shift Workmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic, Environmental and Lifestyle Determinants of Accelerated Telomere Attrition as Contributors to Risk and Severity of Multiple Sclerosis

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Furthermore, obesity is an additional risk factor for injury, due to important physical limitations in movement and agility, which can reduce worker safety [ 11 , 12 ]. Metabolic syndrome is a clinical situation in which several interrelated factors contribute to increasing the possibility of developing diseases affecting the cardiovascular system and metabolism (e.g., diabetes) [ 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Combined Multidisciplinary Intervention for Health Promotion in the Workplace: A Pilot Study

Rapisarda

Cannizzaro

Barchitta

et al. 2021

JCM

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of a joint health promotion intervention on a cohort of healthcare workers (HCWs) who had at least one cardiovascular risk factor. The HCWs were assessed at three different times, i.e., time zero (T0), after 6 months (T6), and after 12 months (T12). The following parameters were measured at a medical examination: physical activity, blood pressure, waist circumference, body mass index (BMI), routine laboratory tests, plicometric analysis, work ability index (WAI), and body image dissatisfaction (BID). Among the 447 HCWs, 38 HCWs were included in the study; 45% (n = 17) were male. At T12, the average blood pressure, waist/hip ratio (WHR) index, BMI, total cholesterol, triglyceride level, and blood glucose values were reduced. The levels of physical activity and adherence to the Mediterranean diet had progressively increased. The WAI showed a significant shift from low to good work performance at T12, as well as BID score. This is the first study that has analyzed work performance in relation to a workplace health promotion through a multidisciplinary approach. This health promotion intervention that combined diet and sport activity has led to a significant change in HCWs’ lifestyles and body perceptions, as well as their ability to work. This project highlights the importance of using a multidisciplinary approach and the workplace setting in health promotion programs.

show abstract

“…Souza et al demonstrated that occupational coal exposure was associated with shortened RTL [ 16 ], and a case-control study in India found that shorter RTL was associated with essential hypertension [ 23 ]. The telomere length of health care workers (mainly nurses) showed that shift work can lead to shortened telomere length, increased systemic inflammation, and oxidative stress imbalance [ 24 ]. The shift work of coal miners in this study may also be an important risk factor for telomere length, which deserves further research.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Relative Telomere Length in Peripheral Blood Cells and Hypertension Risk among Mine Workers: A Case-Control Study in Chinese Coal Miners

Chen

Fan

et al. 2020

BioMed Research International

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Hypertension is a common chronic disease in middle-aged and elderly people and is an important risk factor for many cardiovascular diseases. Its pathogenesis remains unclear. Epidemiological studies have found that the loss of telomere length in peripheral blood cells can increase the risk of coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, and other diseases. However, a correlation between loss of telomere length and hypertension has not been established. In this study, we aimed to explore the association between telomere length and the risk of essential hypertension (EH) in Chinese coal miners. A case-control study was performed with 215 EH patients and 222 healthy controls in a large coal mining group located in North China. Face-to-face interviews were conducted by trained staff with the necessary medical knowledge. Relative telomere length (RTL) was measured by a quantitative real-time PCR assay using DNA extracted from peripheral blood. In the control group, the age-adjusted RTL was statistically significantly lower in miners performing hard physical labour compared with nonphysical labour ( P = 0.043 ). A significantly shorter age-adjusted RTL was found in the control group of participants who consumed alcohol regularly compared with those who do not consume alcohol ( P = 0.024 ). Age-adjusted RTL was negatively correlated with body mass index (BMI) and alcohol consumption. Hypertension was also found to be significantly correlated with factors such as age, BMI, alcohol consumption, smoking, and tea consumption. Our results suggest that RTL is associated with hypertension in coal miners.

show abstract

Telomere Length as a Biomarker of Biological Aging in Shift Workers

Cited by 12 publications

References 78 publications

Genetic, Environmental and Lifestyle Determinants of Accelerated Telomere Attrition as Contributors to Risk and Severity of Multiple Sclerosis

Genetic, Environmental and Lifestyle Determinants of Accelerated Telomere Attrition as Contributors to Risk and Severity of Multiple Sclerosis

A Combined Multidisciplinary Intervention for Health Promotion in the Workplace: A Pilot Study

Relative Telomere Length in Peripheral Blood Cells and Hypertension Risk among Mine Workers: A Case-Control Study in Chinese Coal Miners

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About