| Title: | Very Low and High Levels of Vitamin D Are Associated with Shorter Leukocyte Telomere Length in 148,321 UK Biobank Participants |
| Journal: | Nutrients |
| Published: | 19 Mar 2023 |
| Pubmed: | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36986204/ |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15061474 |
| URL: | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/15/6/1474/pdf?version=1679207800 |
Publication 11219
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Abstract
Background: Shorter leukocyte telomere length (LTL) is observed in multiple age-related diseases, which are also associated with vitamin D deficiency (i.e., osteosarcopenia, neurocognitive disorders, cancer, osteoarthritis, etc.), suggesting a close association between vitamin D and LTL. In this study, we examined the relationship between vitamin D levels and LTL in older participants of the UK Biobank. Methods: Data were collected from the UK Biobank. Participants aged 60 and older (n = 148,321) were included. Baseline LTL was measured using a multiplex qPCR technique and expressed as the ratio of the telomere amplification product (T) to that of a single-copy gene (S) (T/S ratio). Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) was stratified by z score and linked to LTL in a linear regression model adjusting for covariates. Results: Compared to the medium level, a low (in the range of 16.6 nmol/L, 29.7 nmol/L) or extremely low (≤16.6 nmol/L) level of serum 25OHD was associated with shorter LTL: 0.018 SD (standardized β = -0.018, 95% CI -0.033 to -0.003, p = 0.022) and 0.048 SD (standardized β = -0.048, 95% CI -0.083 to -0.014, p = 0.006), respectively. Additionally, the high serum 25OHD groups (>95.9 nmol/L) had 0.038 SD (standardized β = -0.038, 95% CI -0.072 to -0.004, p = 0.030) shorter mean LTL than the group with medium 25OHD levels. The associations above were adjusted for multiple variables. Conclusions: In this population-based study, we identified an inverted U-shape relationship between LTL and vitamin D status. Our findings could be affected by unmeasured confounders. Whether high or low vitamin D-associated shorter LTL is mechanistically related to age-related conditions remains to be elucidated.</p>
7 Authors
- Chia-Ling Kuo
- Ben Kirk
- Meiruo Xiang
- Luke C. Pilling
- George A. Kuchel
- Richard Kremer
- Gustavo Duque
1 Application
| Application ID | Title |
|---|---|
| 14631 | Genetic and environmental influences on ageing well |
Enabling scientific discoveries that improve human health