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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http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/HJH.0000000000000217 | DOI Listing |
J Aging Health
January 2025
Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
Objectives: To examine the association of social connections with blood leukocyte telomere length (LTL) and all-cause mortality in older Costa Ricans.
Methods: Utilizing data from the Costa Rican Longevity and Healthy Aging Study (CRELES), a prospective cohort of 2827 individuals aged 60 and above followed since 2004, we constructed a Social Network Index (SNI) based on marital status, household size, interaction with non-cohabitating adult children, and church attendance. We used linear regression to assess SNI's association with baseline LTL ( = 1113), and Cox proportional-hazard models to examine SNI's relationship with all-cause mortality ( = 2735).
Sci Rep
January 2025
Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350005, China.
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), half of which are lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), is one of the most widely spread cancers in the world. Telomerase, which maintains telomere length and chromosomal integrity, enables cancer cells to avoid replicative senescence. When telomerase is inhibited, cancer cells' senescence began, preventing them from growing indefinitely.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAlzheimers Dement
December 2024
Institute of Public and Preventative Health, Augusta, GA, USA.
Background: Physiological changes, including metabolic and cellular aging, as well as increased inflammation, occur in people living with dementia (PWD). While there is existing evidence in other populations suggesting that exercise may improve physiological outcomes, their impact in PWD remains unclear. This randomized controlled trial (RCT) aimed to assess the effects of exercise on serum levels of metabolic aging, cellular aging, and inflammatory blood biomarkers relative to usual care alone in PWD.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAlzheimers Dement
December 2024
University of São Paulo Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Background: The Down Syndrome (DS), also referred to as trisomy of chromosome 21, is a prevalent cause of intellectual disability and also contributes to the acceleration of aging, among other developmental and health concerns. Certain pathological characteristics shared by DS and Alzheimer's Disease (AD) indicate similar commonalities. This study aims to unravel the relationship between the canonical Wnt/pathway, the amyloid precursor protein processing, the telomere shortening in DS individuals.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: People living with dementia (PWD) have upregulated inflammatory pathways, exaggerated metabolic aging, and cellular aging. They also have declines in physical function and heightened fall-risk. Understanding the physiologic factors that influence physical decline and fall-risk in PWD is vital to assess and prevent adverse health outcomes, such as future falls.
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