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Wang S, Song L, Fan R, Chen Q, Fu R, You M, Wu Y, Cai M, Li Y, Xu M. Nucleotides as an Anti-Aging Supplementation in Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial (TALENTs study). ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2025:e2417728. [PMID: 40433895 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202417728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2024] [Revised: 04/13/2025] [Indexed: 05/29/2025]
Abstract
Aging impairs nutrient metabolism and accelerates biological aging, negatively affecting health and longevity. The Targeting Aging and Longevity with Exogenous Nucleotides (TALENTs) trial (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05243108) aimed to explore whether nucleotides (NTs) supplementation can delay biological aging and improve health outcomes in the elderly. The trial is a 19-week, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study in Chengdu, China, with 121 participants (60-70 years). Participants are randomly assigned to either NTs (1.2 g day-1) or placebo group (1:1). The results of primary outcomes showed that NTs had significantly greater reduction in median DNA methylation age compared to placebo over 19 weeks (β = -3.08 years, 95% CI: -5.07 to -1.10, P = 0.0023), with a trend toward reduction observed over 11 weeks (β = -1.94 years, 95% CI: -4.32 to 0.45, P = 0.11); whereas no significant difference changes of leukocyte telomere length are showed between groups (week 11: β = 0.09, 95% CI: -0.10 to 0.29, P = 0.36; week 19: β = 0.12, 95% CI: -0.05 to 0.28, P = 0.18). Insulin sensitivity improved in the NTs group, with a significant reduction in HOMA-IR over 19 weeks (β = -0.45, 95% CI: -0.86 to -0.04, P = 0.033). No severe adverse events or significant changes in safety indicators are reported. Together, our findings establish that NTs may delay biological aging and improve insulin sensitivity with a well-tolerated safety profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuyue Wang
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Lixia Song
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Rui Fan
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Qianqian Chen
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Ruisheng Fu
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Mei You
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Yuxiao Wu
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Meng Cai
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Yong Li
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Meihong Xu
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Toxicological Research and Risk Assessment for Food Safety, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
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De la Fuente B, Milagro FI, Cuervo M, Martínez JA, Riezu-Boj JI, Zalba G, Marti Del Moral A, García-Calzón S. Beneficial Effects of a Moderately High-Protein Diet on Telomere Length in Subjects with Overweight or Obesity. Nutrients 2025; 17:319. [PMID: 39861449 PMCID: PMC11767735 DOI: 10.3390/nu17020319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2024] [Revised: 01/10/2025] [Accepted: 01/15/2025] [Indexed: 01/27/2025] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Telomere length (TL) is a key biomarker of cellular aging, with shorter telomeres associated with age-related diseases. Lifestyle interventions mitigating telomere shortening are essential for preventing such conditions. This study aimed to examine the effects of two weight loss dietary strategies, based on a moderately high-protein (MHP) diet and a low-fat (LF) diet on TL in individuals with overweight or obesity. METHODS AND RESULTS A total of 164 participants, aged 18-65 years from the OBEKIT trial received the MHP (n = 83) or the LF diet (n = 81) for 4 months and had TL data for analyses. TL was measured at baseline and after 4 months of the intervention using monochrome multiplex quantitative polymerase chain reaction (MMqPCR). Both groups experienced significant improvements in anthropometric and biochemical parameters after the dietary intervention (p < 0.001). The MHP group showed an increase in TL (+0.16 ± 0.13) compared to the LF group (-0.05 ± 0.13) in multiple-adjusted models (p = 0.016). An interaction was observed between the sex and dietary group, where women in the MHP group had increased TL (+0.23 ± 0.16) after 4 months compared to women in the LF group (-0.13 ± 0.15; p = 0.001); no differences between dietary groups were found in men. This increase in TL for women was associated with an increase in protein intake (p = 0.006), measured through dietary questionnaires. CONCLUSION This study shows that a MHP diet may have a protective effect on TL during weight loss, particularly in women, potentially contributing to healthier aging. These results highlight the importance of considering macronutrient composition in dietary interventions aimed at preserving TL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blanca De la Fuente
- Department of Nutrition, Food Sciences and Physiology, Center for Nutrition and Research, University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (B.D.l.F.); (F.I.M.); (M.C.); (J.A.M.); (J.I.R.-B.)
| | - Fermín I. Milagro
- Department of Nutrition, Food Sciences and Physiology, Center for Nutrition and Research, University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (B.D.l.F.); (F.I.M.); (M.C.); (J.A.M.); (J.I.R.-B.)
- Consorcio CIBER, M.P. Fisiopatología de La Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERObn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- IDISNA Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Marta Cuervo
- Department of Nutrition, Food Sciences and Physiology, Center for Nutrition and Research, University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (B.D.l.F.); (F.I.M.); (M.C.); (J.A.M.); (J.I.R.-B.)
- IDISNA Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - José A. Martínez
- Department of Nutrition, Food Sciences and Physiology, Center for Nutrition and Research, University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (B.D.l.F.); (F.I.M.); (M.C.); (J.A.M.); (J.I.R.-B.)
| | - José I. Riezu-Boj
- Department of Nutrition, Food Sciences and Physiology, Center for Nutrition and Research, University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (B.D.l.F.); (F.I.M.); (M.C.); (J.A.M.); (J.I.R.-B.)
- IDISNA Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Guillermo Zalba
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain;
| | - Amelia Marti Del Moral
- Department of Nutrition, Food Sciences and Physiology, Center for Nutrition and Research, University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (B.D.l.F.); (F.I.M.); (M.C.); (J.A.M.); (J.I.R.-B.)
- Consorcio CIBER, M.P. Fisiopatología de La Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERObn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- IDISNA Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Sonia García-Calzón
- Department of Nutrition, Food Sciences and Physiology, Center for Nutrition and Research, University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (B.D.l.F.); (F.I.M.); (M.C.); (J.A.M.); (J.I.R.-B.)
- Consorcio CIBER, M.P. Fisiopatología de La Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERObn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- IDISNA Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Epigenetics and Diabetes Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Lund University Diabetes Centre, Skåne University Hospital, 20502 Malmö, Sweden
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Fernández de la Puente M, Marti A, Canudas S, Zalba G, Razquin C, Boccardi V, Mecocci P, Babio N, Castañer-Niño O, Toledo E, Buil-Cosiales P, Salas-Salvadó J, García-Calzón S. Telomere length and 4-year changes in cognitive function in an older Mediterranean population at high risk of cardiovascular disease. Age Ageing 2024; 53:afae216. [PMID: 39385582 DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afae216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 10/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cognitive decline, a common process of brain ageing, has been associated with telomere length (TL). Delving into the identification of reliable biomarkers of brain ageing is essential to prevent accelerated cognitive impairment. METHODS We selected 317 non-smoking 'Prevención con Dieta Mediterránea-Plus' (PREDIMED-Plus) participants (mean age, 65.8 ± 5.0 years) with metabolic syndrome from two trial centres who were following a lifestyle intervention. We measured TL and cognitive function at baseline and after 3 and 4 years of follow-up, respectively. Associations between baseline or 3-year changes in TL and baseline or 4-year changes in cognitive function were analysed using multivariable regression models. RESULTS Baseline TL was not associated with baseline cognitive performance. Nevertheless, longer baseline TL was associated with improved 4-year changes in the Executive Function domain (β: 0.29; 95%CI: 0.12 to 0.44; P < 0.001) and the Global Cognitive Function domain (β: 0.19; 95%CI: 0.05 to 0.34; P = 0.010). Besides, a positive association was found between longer baseline TL and improved 4-year changes in the animal version of the Verbal Fluency Test (β: 0.33; 95%CI: 0.12 to 0.52; P = 0.002). By contrast, 3-year changes in TL were not associated with changes in cognitive function after 4 years. CONCLUSIONS Longer baseline TL could protect from cognitive decline and be used as a useful biomarker of brain ageing function in an older Mediterranean population at risk of cardiovascular disease and cognitive impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Fernández de la Puente
- Consorcio CIBER, M.P. Fisiopatología de La Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERObn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029, Madrid, Spain
- Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Departament de Bioquímica i Biotecnologia, Alimentació, Nutrició, Desenvolupament i Salut Mental (ANUT-DSM), Unitat de Nutrició Humana, 43201, Reus, Spain
- Institut D'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV), Hospital Universitari San Joan de Reus, 43204, Reus, Spain
| | - Amelia Marti
- Consorcio CIBER, M.P. Fisiopatología de La Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERObn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Nutrition, Food Sciences and Physiology, Center for Nutrition and Research, University of Navarra, 31009, Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), University of Navarra, 31008, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Silvia Canudas
- Department of Nutrition, Food Sciences and Gastronomy, School of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, Food Torribera Campus, University of Barcelona, 08921, Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Spain
- Institute of Nutrition and Food Safety, University of Barcelona, INSA-UB Maria de Maeztu Unit of Excellence, 08921, Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Spain
| | - Guillermo Zalba
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), University of Navarra, 31008, Pamplona, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, University of Navarra, 31009, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Cristina Razquin
- Consorcio CIBER, M.P. Fisiopatología de La Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERObn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029, Madrid, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), University of Navarra, 31008, Pamplona, Spain
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Navarra, 31009, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Virginia Boccardi
- Institute of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06132, Perugia, Italy
| | - Patrizia Mecocci
- Institute of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06132, Perugia, Italy
- Division of Clinical Geriatrics, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Nancy Babio
- Consorcio CIBER, M.P. Fisiopatología de La Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERObn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029, Madrid, Spain
- Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Departament de Bioquímica i Biotecnologia, Alimentació, Nutrició, Desenvolupament i Salut Mental (ANUT-DSM), Unitat de Nutrició Humana, 43201, Reus, Spain
- Institut D'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV), Hospital Universitari San Joan de Reus, 43204, Reus, Spain
| | - Olga Castañer-Niño
- Consorcio CIBER, M.P. Fisiopatología de La Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERObn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029, Madrid, Spain
- Cardiovascular Risk and Nutrition Research Group (CARIN), Hospital Del Mar Research Institute (IMIM), 08003, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Estefanía Toledo
- Consorcio CIBER, M.P. Fisiopatología de La Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERObn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029, Madrid, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), University of Navarra, 31008, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Pilar Buil-Cosiales
- Consorcio CIBER, M.P. Fisiopatología de La Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERObn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029, Madrid, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), University of Navarra, 31008, Pamplona, Spain
- Servicio Navarro de Salud, Atención Primaria Pamplona, 31003, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Jordi Salas-Salvadó
- Consorcio CIBER, M.P. Fisiopatología de La Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERObn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029, Madrid, Spain
- Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Departament de Bioquímica i Biotecnologia, Alimentació, Nutrició, Desenvolupament i Salut Mental (ANUT-DSM), Unitat de Nutrició Humana, 43201, Reus, Spain
- Institut D'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV), Hospital Universitari San Joan de Reus, 43204, Reus, Spain
| | - Sonia García-Calzón
- Consorcio CIBER, M.P. Fisiopatología de La Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERObn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Nutrition, Food Sciences and Physiology, Center for Nutrition and Research, University of Navarra, 31009, Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), University of Navarra, 31008, Pamplona, Spain
- Epigenetic and Diabetes Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University Diabetes Center, Scania University Hospital, 214 28, Malmö, Sweden
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Boccardi V, Polom J. Searching for Beauty and Health: Aging in Women, Nutrition, and the Secret in Telomeres. Nutrients 2024; 16:3111. [PMID: 39339711 PMCID: PMC11434636 DOI: 10.3390/nu16183111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2024] [Revised: 09/07/2024] [Accepted: 09/09/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Women typically outlive men, yet they often experience greater frailty and a higher incidence of chronic diseases as they age. By exploring the biological foundations of aging, with a particular focus on telomere dynamics, this manuscript aims to describe how dietary and lifestyle choices can significantly influence the aging process. The review comprehensively examines current research, underscoring the power of nutrition to counteract age-related changes, support healthy aging, and maintain vitality and beauty in women. The exploration of telomeres-the protective caps at the ends of chromosomes-reveals how they serve as markers of cellular aging and are potential targets for interventions aimed at enhancing women's longevity and quality of life. This study also emphasizes the importance of sex-specific approaches and precision medicine in understanding the unique health challenges women face as they age. By proposing targeted strategies, the review seeks to address these challenges, offering insights into preventive measures that can foster resilience, promote well-being, and extend healthy life expectancy in women. Ultimately, this work provides a sophisticated understanding of the aging process in women, highlighting the pivotal role of tailored interventions in preserving both health and beauty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Boccardi
- Division of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Joanna Polom
- Department of Medicine, Academy of Applied Medical and Social Sciences, Lotnicza 2, 82-300 Elblag, Poland;
- Department of Medical Laboratory Diagnostics-Fahrenheit Biobank BBMRI.pl, Medical University of Gdańsk, Marii Skłodowskiej-Curie 3a, 80-210 Gdańsk, Poland
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Baliou S, Ioannou P, Apetroaei MM, Vakonaki E, Fragkiadaki P, Kirithras E, Tzatzarakis MN, Arsene AL, Docea AO, Tsatsakis A. The Impact of the Mediterranean Diet on Telomere Biology: Implications for Disease Management-A Narrative Review. Nutrients 2024; 16:2525. [PMID: 39125404 PMCID: PMC11313773 DOI: 10.3390/nu16152525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2024] [Revised: 07/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Telomeres are nucleoprotein complexes at the ends of chromosomes that are under the control of genetic and environmental triggers. Accelerated telomere shortening is causally implicated in the increasing incidence of diseases. The Mediterranean diet has recently been identified as one that confers protection against diseases. This review aimed to identify the effect of each component of the Mediterranean diet on telomere length dynamics, highlighting the underlying molecular mechanisms. METHODS PubMed was searched to identify relevant studies to extract data for conducting a narrative review. RESULTS The Mediterranean diet alleviates clinical manifestations in many diseases. Focusing on autoimmune diseases, the Mediterranean diet can be protective by preventing inflammation, mitochondrial malfunction, and abnormal telomerase activity. Also, each Mediterranean diet constituent seems to attenuate aging through the sustenance or elongation of telomere length, providing insights into the underlying molecular mechanisms. Polyphenols, vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids seem to be essential in telomere homeostasis, since they inhibit inflammatory responses, DNA damage, oxidative stress, mitochondrial malfunction, and cell death and induce telomerase activation. CONCLUSIONS The Mediterranean diet is beneficial for maintaining telomere dynamics and alleviating age-related illnesses. This review provides a comprehensive overview of cross-sectional, observational, and randomized controlled trials regarding the beneficial impact of every constituent in the Mediterranean diet on telomere length and chronic disease management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stella Baliou
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Medical School, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece; (S.B.); (E.V.); (P.F.); (E.K.); (M.N.T.); (A.T.)
- Lifeplus S.A., Science & Technological Park of Crete, C Building, Vassilika Vouton, 70013 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Petros Ioannou
- School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Miruna-Maria Apetroaei
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 6, Traian Vuia Street, 020956 Bucharest, Romania; (M.-M.A.); (A.L.A.)
| | - Elena Vakonaki
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Medical School, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece; (S.B.); (E.V.); (P.F.); (E.K.); (M.N.T.); (A.T.)
- Lifeplus S.A., Science & Technological Park of Crete, C Building, Vassilika Vouton, 70013 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Persefoni Fragkiadaki
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Medical School, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece; (S.B.); (E.V.); (P.F.); (E.K.); (M.N.T.); (A.T.)
- Lifeplus S.A., Science & Technological Park of Crete, C Building, Vassilika Vouton, 70013 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Evangelos Kirithras
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Medical School, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece; (S.B.); (E.V.); (P.F.); (E.K.); (M.N.T.); (A.T.)
- Lifeplus S.A., Science & Technological Park of Crete, C Building, Vassilika Vouton, 70013 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Manolis N. Tzatzarakis
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Medical School, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece; (S.B.); (E.V.); (P.F.); (E.K.); (M.N.T.); (A.T.)
| | - Andreea Letitia Arsene
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 6, Traian Vuia Street, 020956 Bucharest, Romania; (M.-M.A.); (A.L.A.)
| | - Anca Oana Docea
- Department of Toxicology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
- Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Petru Rares, 200349 Craiova, Romania
| | - Aristides Tsatsakis
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Medical School, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece; (S.B.); (E.V.); (P.F.); (E.K.); (M.N.T.); (A.T.)
- Lifeplus S.A., Science & Technological Park of Crete, C Building, Vassilika Vouton, 70013 Heraklion, Greece
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Li X, Li M, Cheng J, Guan S, Hou L, Zu S, Yang L, Wu H, Li H, Fan Y, Zhang B. Association of healthy and unhealthy plant-based diets with telomere length. Clin Nutr 2024; 43:1694-1701. [PMID: 38879916 DOI: 10.1016/j.clnu.2024.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Previous studies have shown that plant-rich dietary patterns, such as the Mediterranean diet, are associated with longer telomeres. However, no association has been found between vegetarian diet and telomere length. We hypothesized that the quality of plant-based diets plays an important role in telomere length. METHODS Data were obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2002. Diet was assessed using a 24-h recall method. Plant-based diet quality was assessed using the overall plant-based diet index (PDI), healthy PDI (hPDI), and unhealthy PDI (uPDI). Telomere length was measured using quantitative PCR. Linear and ordinal logistic regression models were used to assess the association of PDIs with log-transformed telomere length and ordinal quintiles of telomere length in descending order, respectively. RESULTS In both regression models, the overall PDI was not associated with telomere length. The hPDI was associated with longer telomere length [percentage change = 2.34%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.42%, 4.31%, Ptrend = 0.016; odds ratio (OR) = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.69, 0.95, Ptrend = 0.013]. However, uPDI was associated with shorter telomere length (percentage change = -3.17%, 95% CI: -5.65%, -0.62%, Ptrend = 0.017; OR = 1.25, 95% CI:1.03, 1.53, Ptrend = 0.014) and this inverse association was stronger in the non-Hispanic white population (Pinteraction = 0.001 in both regression models). CONCLUSIONS A plant-based dietary pattern rich in healthy plant foods is associated with longer telomeres. However, plant-based dietary patterns rich in unhealthy plant-based foods are associated with shorter telomere lengths, especially in non-Hispanic white populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiude Li
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, Anhui, China.
| | - Meiling Li
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China.
| | - Jing Cheng
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, Anhui, China.
| | - Shixia Guan
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, Anhui, China.
| | - Lili Hou
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, Anhui, China.
| | - Shuang Zu
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, Anhui, China.
| | - Le Yang
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, Anhui, China.
| | - Hanhan Wu
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, Anhui, China.
| | - Huixian Li
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, Anhui, China.
| | - Yunshan Fan
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, Anhui, China.
| | - Bao Zhang
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, Anhui, China.
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Almuraikhy S, Sellami M, Naja K, Al-Amri HS, Anwardeen N, Aden A, Dömling A, Elrayess MA. Joint Effects of Exercise and Ramadan Fasting on Telomere Length: Implications for Cellular Aging. Biomedicines 2024; 12:1182. [PMID: 38927389 PMCID: PMC11200901 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12061182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2024] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Aging is a fundamental biological process that progressively impairs the functionality of the bodily systems, leading to an increased risk of diseases. Telomere length is one of the most often used biomarkers of aging. Recent research has focused on developing interventions to mitigate the effects of aging and improve the quality of life. The objective of this study was to investigate the combined effect of exercise and Ramadan fasting on telomere length. Twenty-nine young, non-obese, healthy females were randomized into two groups: the control group underwent a 4-week exercise training program, and the second group underwent a 4-week exercise training program while fasting during Ramadan. Blood samples were collected, and measurements of clinical traits, cytokines, oxidative stress, and telomere length were performed before and after intervention. Telomere length increased significantly from baseline in the exercise-while-fasting group, but showed no significant change in the exercise control group. This increase was accompanied by a reduction in TNF-α, among other cytokines. Additionally, a significant positive correlation was observed between the mean change in telomere length and HDL in the exercise-while-fasting group only. This study is the first to report an increase in telomere length after combining Ramadan fasting with training, suggesting that exercising while fasting may be an effective tool for slowing down the aging rate. Further studies using larger and more diverse cohorts are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shamma Almuraikhy
- Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar; (S.A.); (K.N.); (N.A.)
- Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, Drug Design, Groningen University, 9712 CP Groningen, The Netherlands;
| | - Maha Sellami
- Physical Education Department (PE), College of Education, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar; (M.S.); (H.S.A.-A.)
| | - Khaled Naja
- Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar; (S.A.); (K.N.); (N.A.)
| | - Hadaia Saleh Al-Amri
- Physical Education Department (PE), College of Education, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar; (M.S.); (H.S.A.-A.)
| | - Najeha Anwardeen
- Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar; (S.A.); (K.N.); (N.A.)
| | - Amina Aden
- Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), Doha P.O. Box 3050, Qatar;
| | - Alexander Dömling
- Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, Drug Design, Groningen University, 9712 CP Groningen, The Netherlands;
| | - Mohamed A. Elrayess
- Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar; (S.A.); (K.N.); (N.A.)
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar
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Akkar I, Koyuncuoglu G, Turgut ZI, Dogan MH, Kizilarslanoglu MC. Comment on: Effect of a 3-year lifestyle intervention on telomere length in participants from PREDIMED-Plus. Clin Nutr 2024; 43:1092. [PMID: 38296763 DOI: 10.1016/j.clnu.2024.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Ilyas Akkar
- University of Health Sciences Türkiye, Konya City Hospital, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Geriatrics, Konya, Turkey.
| | - Guldane Koyuncuoglu
- University of Health Sciences Türkiye, Konya City Hospital, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Geriatrics, Konya, Turkey
| | - Zeynep Iclal Turgut
- University of Health Sciences Türkiye, Konya City Hospital, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Geriatrics, Konya, Turkey
| | - Mustafa Hakan Dogan
- University of Health Sciences Türkiye, Konya City Hospital, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Geriatrics, Konya, Turkey
| | - Muhammet Cemal Kizilarslanoglu
- University of Health Sciences Türkiye, Konya City Hospital, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Geriatrics, Konya, Turkey
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Marti A, Fernández de la Puente M, Canudas S, García-Calzón S, Salas-Salvadó J. Response to Letter to the Editor Clinical Nutrition. Clin Nutr 2024; 43:1093. [PMID: 38438287 DOI: 10.1016/j.clnu.2024.02.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- A Marti
- Consorcio CIBER, M.P. Fisiopatología de La Obesidad y Nutricion (CIBERObn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain; Department of Nutrition, Food Sciences and Physiology, Center for Nutrition and Research, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.
| | - M Fernández de la Puente
- Consorcio CIBER, M.P. Fisiopatología de La Obesidad y Nutricion (CIBERObn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain; Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Departament de Bioquímica i Biotecnologia, Alimentacio, Nutricio, Desenvolupament i Salut Mental (ANUT-DSM), Unitat de Nutricio Humana, Reus, Spain; Institut D'Investigacio Sanitaria Pere Virgili (IISPV), Hospital Universitari San Joan de Reus, Reus, Spain
| | - S Canudas
- Department of Nutrition, Food Sciences and Gastronomy, School of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, Food Torribera Campus, University of Barcelona, Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Spain; Institute of Nutrition and Food Safety of the University of Barcelona, INSA-UB Maria de Maeztu Unit of Excellence, Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Spain.
| | - S García-Calzón
- Consorcio CIBER, M.P. Fisiopatología de La Obesidad y Nutricion (CIBERObn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain; Department of Nutrition, Food Sciences and Physiology, Center for Nutrition and Research, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.
| | - J Salas-Salvadó
- Consorcio CIBER, M.P. Fisiopatología de La Obesidad y Nutricion (CIBERObn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain; Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Departament de Bioquímica i Biotecnologia, Alimentacio, Nutricio, Desenvolupament i Salut Mental (ANUT-DSM), Unitat de Nutricio Humana, Reus, Spain; Institut D'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV), Hospital Universitari San Joan de Reus, Reus, Spain
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10
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Coltell O, Asensio EM, Sorlí JV, Ortega-Azorín C, Fernández-Carrión R, Pascual EC, Barragán R, González JI, Estruch R, Alzate JF, Pérez-Fidalgo A, Portolés O, Ordovas JM, Corella D. Associations between the New DNA-Methylation-Based Telomere Length Estimator, the Mediterranean Diet and Genetics in a Spanish Population at High Cardiovascular Risk. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:2004. [PMID: 38001857 PMCID: PMC10669035 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12112004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Biological aging is a relevant risk factor for chronic diseases, and several indicators for measuring this factor have been proposed, with telomere length (TL) among the most studied. Oxidative stress may regulate telomere shortening, which is implicated in the increased risk. Using a novel estimator for TL, we examined whether adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet), a highly antioxidant-rich dietary pattern, is associated with longer TL. We determined TL using DNA methylation algorithms (DNAmTL) in 414 subjects at high cardiovascular risk from Spain. Adherence to the MedDiet was assessed by a validated score, and genetic variants in candidate genes and at the genome-wide level were analyzed. We observed several significant associations (p < 0.05) between DNAmTL and candidate genes (TERT, TERF2, RTEL1, and DCAF4), contributing to the validity of DNAmTL as a biomarker in this population. Higher adherence to the MedDiet was associated with lower odds of having a shorter TL in the whole sample (OR = 0.93; 95% CI: 0.85-0.99; p = 0.049 after fully multivariate adjustment). Nevertheless, this association was stronger in women than in men. Likewise, in women, we observed a direct association between adherence to the MedDiet score and DNAmTL as a continuous variable (beta = 0.015; SE: 0.005; p = 0.003), indicating that a one-point increase in adherence was related to an average increase of 0.015 ± 0.005 kb in TL. Upon examination of specific dietary items within the global score, we found that fruits, fish, "sofrito", and whole grains exhibited the strongest associations in women. The novel score combining these items was significantly associated in the whole population. In the genome-wide association study (GWAS), we identified ten polymorphisms at the suggestive level of significance (p < 1 × 10-5) for DNAmTL (intergenics, in the IQSEC1, NCAPG2, and ABI3BP genes) and detected some gene-MedDiet modulations on DNAmTL. As this is the first study analyzing the DNAmTL estimator, genetics, and modulation by the MedDiet, more studies are needed to confirm these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oscar Coltell
- Department of Computer Languages and Systems, Universitat Jaume I, 12071 Castellón, Spain
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Eva M Asensio
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - José V Sorlí
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Carolina Ortega-Azorín
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Rebeca Fernández-Carrión
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Eva C Pascual
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Rocío Barragán
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - José I González
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Ramon Estruch
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Internal Medicine, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan F Alzate
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín 050010, Colombia
- Facultad de Medicina, Centro Nacional de Secuenciación Genómica-CNSG, Sede de Investigación Universitaria-SIU, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín 050010, Colombia
| | - Alejandro Pérez-Fidalgo
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Clinic Hospital of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Centre on Cancer (CIBERONC), Health Institute Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Olga Portolés
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Jose M Ordovas
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Clinic Hospital of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Nutrition and Genomics, JM-USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111, USA
- Nutritional Control of the Epigenome Group, Precision Nutrition and Obesity Program, IMDEA Food, UAM + CSIC, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Dolores Corella
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
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