Change in relative telomere length over fifteen years is associated with markers of cardiovascular ageing in middle-aged subjects – the Malmö Diet and Cancer Study, Sweden

Objective.  To analyse the association between long-term changes in relative telomere length (RTL) and selected markers of cardiovascular ageing such as history of myocardial infarction (MI), pulse pressure or usage of antihypertensive (AHT) drugs during 15 years of follow-up.

Subjects  and  methods.  332 middle-aged subjects were recruited from a population-based, case-control study of patients with MI. RTL in blood at baseline and after 15 years of follow-up was investigated through quantitative PCR. Z-statistics was used to compare the log-distribution of RTL at baseline and at follow-up, respectively. The difference (Δz-score) was calculated for each individual as a marker of relative change in telomere length over 15 years. Multiple regression analysis was used with Δz-score as dependent variable, and age, sex, RTL at baseline, and clinical markers of cardiovascular ageing as independent variables.

Results.  We found that Δz-score of RTL was independently associated with both total (prevalent/incident) MI (p < 0.039) and usage of AHT drugs (p < 0.015) at baseline. Subjects with MI or on AHT drugs showed a greater reduction in the z-score for RTL during follow-up, implying a higher degree of telomere shortening.

Conclusion.  Changes in blood relative telomere attrition (RTL) is a potential marker of cardiovascular ageing, as illustrated by significant and independent associations between Δ z-score and prevalent/incident MI, as well as with base-line usage of antihypertensive drugs — a marker of longstanding hypertension in need of treatment.

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