Telomere length as a biomarker of aging and diseases

Abstract

As research related to healthspan and lifespan has become a hot topic, the necessity for a reliable and practical biomarker of aging (BoA), which can provide information about mortality and morbidity risk, along with remaining life expectancy, has increased. The chromosome terminus non-coding protective structure that prevents genomic instability is called a telomere. The continual shortening of telomeres, which affects their structure as well as function, is a hallmark of agedness. The aforementioned process is a potential cause of age-related diseases (ARDs), leading to a bad prognosis and a low survival rate, which compromise health and longevity. Hence, studies scrutinizing the BoAs often include telomere length (TL) as a prospective candidate. The results of these studies suggest that TL measurement can only provide an approximate appraisal of the aging rate, and its implementation into clinical practice and routine use as a BoA has many limitations and challenges. Nevertheless, measuring TL while determining other biomarkers can be used to assess biological age. This review focuses on the importance of telomeres in health, senescence, and diseases, as well as on summarizing the results and conclusions of previous studies evaluating TL as a potential BoA.

Redox Status and Telomere–Telomerase System Biomarkers in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction Using a Principal Component Analysis: Is There a Link?

“…Apart from the oxidative stress, in the AMI pathology, the role of telomere–telomerase system has been established, as well as its mutual interplay with oxidative stress [ 11 , 26 ]. Furthermore, the involvement of routine biochemical and hematological biomarkers (like lipids, C-reactive protein (CRP), white blood cell count, etc.)…”

“…An imbalance between pro-oxidant production and antioxidant defence leads to the redox homeostasis disturbance, followed by overload of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress development [ 10 ]. Once it occurs, oxidative stress might also cause DNA damage, particularly at its ends, involving the telomere DNA, most probably via the formation of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2′-deoxyguanine (8-oxoG) and single-strand breaks [ 11 , 12 ]. Likewise, oxidative stress might affect telomerase enzyme activity as well, which is crucial for telomere DNA prolonging and maintenance, causing its reactivation or inhibition [ 13 , 14 ], Although precise mechanisms are not completely understood, the presence of 8-oxoG and single-strand breaks in telomere DNA is thought to stimulate telomerase enzyme activity [ 13 ].…”

The Ratio of Biological Health Score to Immune Cell Telomere Length: A Reliable Index Indicating the Association Between the Severity of Injury and Senescence in Mustard-chemical Veterans

“…Although TL has been considered a potential biomarker of aging, it is possible that this biomarker will fluctuate over the person's lifetime. Also, it seems that a single biomarker will not be adequate to reflect aging in all biological systems [30,31]. Therefore, additional panels of biomarkers can be used in addition to TL to determine biological age [32].…”