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Yu J, Pu F, Yang G, Hao M, Zhang H, Zhang J, Cao X, Zhu L, Wan Y, Wang X, Liu Z. Sex-Specific Association Between Childhood Adversity and Accelerated Biological Aging. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2309346. [PMID: 38704685 PMCID: PMC11234451 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202309346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
Is childhood adversity associated with biological aging, and if so, does sex modify the association, and do lifestyle and mental health mediate the association? A lifespan analysis is conducted using data on 142 872 participants from the UK Biobank to address these questions. Childhood adversity is assessed through the online mental health questionnaire (2016), including physical neglect, physical abuse, emotional neglect, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and a cumulative score. Biological aging is indicated by telomere length (TL) measured from leukocyte DNA using qPCR, and the shorter TL indicates accelerated biological aging; a lifestyle score is constructed using body mass index, physical activity, drinking, smoking, and diet; mental disorder is assessed using depression, anxiety, and insomnia at the baseline survey. The results reveal a sex-specific association such that childhood adversity is associated with shorter TL in women after adjusting for covariates including polygenic risk score for TL, but not in men. Unhealthy lifestyle and mental disorder partially mediate the association in women. The proportions of indirect effects are largest for sexual and physical abuse. These findings highlight the importance of behavioral and psychological interventions in promoting healthy aging among women who experienced childhood adversity, particularly sexual and physical abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Yu
- Center for Clinical Big Data and Analytics of the Second Affiliated Hospital, and Department of Big Data in Health Science School of Public Health, The Key Laboratory of Intelligent Preventive Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Fan Pu
- Center for Clinical Big Data and Analytics of the Second Affiliated Hospital, and Department of Big Data in Health Science School of Public Health, The Key Laboratory of Intelligent Preventive Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Gan Yang
- Center for Clinical Big Data and Analytics of the Second Affiliated Hospital, and Department of Big Data in Health Science School of Public Health, The Key Laboratory of Intelligent Preventive Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Meng Hao
- Human Phenome Institute and State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Zhangjiang Fudan International Innovation Center, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Human Phenome Institute and State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Zhangjiang Fudan International Innovation Center, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Ageing and Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Jingyun Zhang
- Center for Clinical Big Data and Analytics of the Second Affiliated Hospital, and Department of Big Data in Health Science School of Public Health, The Key Laboratory of Intelligent Preventive Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Xingqi Cao
- Center for Clinical Big Data and Analytics of the Second Affiliated Hospital, and Department of Big Data in Health Science School of Public Health, The Key Laboratory of Intelligent Preventive Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Lijun Zhu
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Aging and Physic-chemical Injury Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Yuhui Wan
- MOE Key Laboratory of Population Health across Life Cycle/Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Population Health and Aristogenics, and Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Xiaofeng Wang
- Human Phenome Institute and State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Zhangjiang Fudan International Innovation Center, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Ageing and Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Zuyun Liu
- Center for Clinical Big Data and Analytics of the Second Affiliated Hospital, and Department of Big Data in Health Science School of Public Health, The Key Laboratory of Intelligent Preventive Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
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Butts B, Hope C, Herring C, Mueller K, Gary RA. The Effects of Exercise on Telomere Length in Persons With Heart Failure. J Cardiovasc Nurs 2024; 39:E86-E92. [PMID: 37801568 PMCID: PMC10997734 DOI: 10.1097/jcn.0000000000001044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Telomere length is reduced in persons with heart failure (HF). Inflammation is a putative mechanism contributing to telomere shortening. Although physical activity is known to increase telomere length, its effects in HF are unknown. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to examine the effects of exercise on telomere length and its relationship with interleukin (IL)-1β in persons with HF. METHODS This secondary analysis of a 3-month home-based aerobic exercise intervention measured total telomere length and IL-1β levels in persons with HF (69% with reduced ejection fraction). RESULTS Total telomere length increased and plasma IL-1β levels decreased in the exercise group from baseline to 3 months. Total telomere length was negatively associated with IL-1β at baseline ( r = -0.441 P = .001). CONCLUSIONS The association between telomere length and IL-1β suggests a relationship between inflammation and cellular aging. Moderate-intensity exercise may help maintain cellular functions. Further research is needed to examine the effects on outcomes in persons with HF.
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Woo JMP, Parks CG, Hyde EE, Auer PL, Simanek AM, Konkel RH, Taylor J, Sandler DP, Meier HCS. Early life trauma and adult leucocyte telomere length. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2022; 144:105876. [PMID: 35939862 PMCID: PMC9446387 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2022.105876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Telomere length, a biomarker of cell division and cellular aging, has been associated with multiple chronic disease endpoints. Experienced trauma over the life course may contribute to telomere shortening via mechanisms of stress embodiment. However, it is unclear how patterns of co-occurring trauma during sensitive periods (e.g., early life) throughout the life course may influence telomere shortening. We examine the relationship between co-occurring early life trauma on adult telomere length and the extent to which adulthood trauma, socioeconomic position, and health and lifestyle factors may mediate this relationship. METHODS We use data from a sample of participants in the Sister Study (N = 740, analytic sample: n = 602), a prospective cohort of U.S. self-identified females aged 35-74 years at enrollment (2003-2009) for whom leukocyte telomere length was measured in baseline blood samples. Participants reported their experience of 20 different types of trauma, from which we identified patterns of co-occurring early life trauma (before age 18) using latent class analysis. We estimated the direct and indirect effects of early life trauma on leukocyte telomere length using structural equation modeling, allowing for mediating adult pathways. RESULTS Approximately 47 % of participants reported early life trauma. High early life trauma was associated with shorter telomere length compared to low early life trauma (β = -0.11; 95 % CI: -0.22, -0.004) after adjusting for age and childhood socioeconomic position. The inverse association between early life trauma and adult leukocyte telomere length was largely attributable to the direct effect of early life trauma on telomere length (β = -0.12; 95 %CI: -0.23, -0.01). Mediating indirect pathways via adult trauma, socioeconomic position, and health metrics did not substantively contribute the overall association. CONCLUSIONS These findings highlight the role of patterns of co-occurring early life trauma on shortened telomere length independent of adult pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer M P Woo
- Joseph J. Zilber School of Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 1240 N. 10th Street, Milwaukee, WI, USA; Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Christine G Parks
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Emily E Hyde
- Joseph J. Zilber School of Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 1240 N. 10th Street, Milwaukee, WI, USA; Wisconsin Population Health Fellowship, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 610 Walnut Street, 575 WARF, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Paul L Auer
- Joseph J. Zilber School of Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 1240 N. 10th Street, Milwaukee, WI, USA; Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Amanda M Simanek
- Joseph J. Zilber School of Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 1240 N. 10th Street, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Rebecca H Konkel
- Helen Bader School of Social Welfare, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 2400 E. Hartford Avenue, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Jack Taylor
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Dale P Sandler
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Helen C S Meier
- Joseph J. Zilber School of Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 1240 N. 10th Street, Milwaukee, WI, USA; Survey Research Center, Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, 426 Thompson St, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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Chen MA, LeRoy AS, Majd M, Chen JY, Brown RL, Christian LM, Fagundes CP. Immune and Epigenetic Pathways Linking Childhood Adversity and Health Across the Lifespan. Front Psychol 2021; 12:788351. [PMID: 34899540 PMCID: PMC8662704 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.788351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Childhood adversity is associated with a host of mental and physical health problems across the lifespan. Individuals who have experienced childhood adversity (e.g., child abuse and neglect, family conflict, poor parent/child relationships, low socioeconomic status or extreme poverty) are at a greater risk for morbidity and premature mortality than those not exposed to childhood adversity. Several mechanisms likely contribute to the relationship between childhood adversity and health across the lifespan (e.g., health behaviors, cardiovascular reactivity). In this paper, we review a large body of research within the field of psychoneuroimmunology, demonstrating the relationship between early life stress and alterations of the immune system. We first review the literature demonstrating that childhood adversity is associated with immune dysregulation across different indices, including proinflammatory cytokine production (and its impact on telomere length), illness and infection susceptibility, latent herpesvirus reactivation, and immune response to a tumor. We then summarize the growing literature on how childhood adversity may alter epigenetic processes. Finally, we propose future directions related to this work that have basic and applied implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle A Chen
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Rice University, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Angie S LeRoy
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Rice University, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Marzieh Majd
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Rice University, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Jonathan Y Chen
- McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Ryan L Brown
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Rice University, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Lisa M Christian
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Health and the Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Christopher P Fagundes
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Rice University, Houston, TX, United States.,Department of Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States.,Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
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