Reduced telomere length is not associated with early signs of vascular aging in young men born after intrauterine growth restriction: a paradox?

J Hypertens

aDepartment for Nephrology, Hypertension, Dialysis and Transplantation, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Croatia bDanish Aging Research Center, University of Southern Denmark, Aarhus and Copenhagen, Denmark cDepartment for Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Institute dDepartment of Cardiovascular Diseases, University Hospital Center eDepartment for Molecular Medicine, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia fDepartment of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden.

Published: August 2014

AI Article Synopsis

  • - The study investigates how being born small for gestational age (SGA) affects cardiovascular risk, focusing on the relationship between intrauterine growth impairment and early signs of vascular aging, including telomere shortening as a possible biomarker.
  • - Researchers analyzed 114 young men, comparing those born SGA with those born at normal size (AGA), finding that SGA individuals had higher pulse pressure and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), indicating early vascular aging.
  • - Surprisingly, SGA men had longer leukocyte telomere length (LTL) compared to AGA men, leading to speculation about a faster telomere attrition rate and potential early cardiovascular risks; further follow-up is needed to

Article Abstract

Objective: The mechanisms that increase cardiovascular risk in individuals born small for gestational age (SGA) are not well understood. Telomere shortening has been suggested to be a predictor of disease onset. Our aim was to determine whether impaired intrauterine growth is associated with early signs of vascular aging and whether telomere length could be a biomarker of this pathway.

Methods: One hundred and fourteen healthy young men born SGA or after normal pregnancy [appropriate for gestational age (AGA)] were enrolled. Patient data were gathered from questionnaires and clinical exams, including blood pressure (BP) measurement routine laboratory analyses, and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT). Leukocyte telomere length (LTL) was assessed by quantitative PCR. Birth data were obtained from medical records.

Results: The SGA group had significantly higher pulse pressure and cIMT, and a trend to increased SBP and heart rate in comparison to the AGA group. Interestingly, SGA men exhibited a 42% longer LTL than the AGA group. LTL was inversely associated with age, BMI, BP and birth parameters. In multiple regression analysis, BMI was the key determinant of SBP and cIMT.

Conclusion: Young men born SGA show early signs of vascular aging. Unexpectedly, in our cohort, the SGA group had longer telomeres than the normal controls. Although longer telomeres are predictive of better health in the future, our findings could indicate a faster telomere attrition rate and probable early onset of cardiovascular risk in SGA participants. Follow-up of this cohort will clarify hypothesis and validate telomere dynamics as indicators of future health risks.

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Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/HJH.0000000000000217DOI Listing

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