The association between leukocyte telomere length and cigarette smoking, dietary and physical variables, and risk of prostate cancer

Abstract

SummaryTelomeres consist of nucleotide repeats and a protein complex at chromosome ends that are essential to maintaining chromosomal integrity. Several studies have suggested that subjects with shorter telomeres are at increased risk of bladder and lung cancer. In comparison to normal tissues, telomeres are shorter in highgrade intraepithelial neoplasia and prostate cancer. We examined prostate cancer risk associated with relative telomere length as determined by quantitative PCR on prediagnostic buffy coat DNA isolated from 612 advanced prostate cancer cases and 1049 age-matched, cancer-free controls from the PLCO Cancer Screening Trial. Telomere length was analyzed as both a continuous and a categorical variable with adjustment for potential confounders. Statistically significant inverse correlations between telomere length, age and smoking status were observed in cases and controls. Telomere length was not associated with prostate cancer risk (at the median, OR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.67, 1.08); associations were similar when telomere length was evaluated as a continuous variable or by quartiles. The relationships between telomere length and inflammation-related factors, diet, exercise, body mass index, and other lifestyle variables were explored since many of these have previously been associated with shorter telomeres. Healthy lifestyle factors (i.e., lower BMI, more exercise, tobacco abstinence, diets high in fruit and vegetables) tended to be associated with greater telomere length. This study found no statistically significant association between leukocyte telomere length and advanced prostate cancer risk. However, correlations of telomere length with healthy lifestyles were noted, suggesting the role of these factors in telomere biology maintenance and potentially impacting overall health status.

Telómeros Y Calidad De La Dieta: Una Revision Sistematica

“…En otro artículo, se sugiere, además, que existe una relación inversa gradual y altamente significativa entre el consumo de alcohol y LTL en edades más avanzadas (162). Sin embargo, el consumo de alcohol en un total de tres estudios no se relacionó con una menor longitud telomérica (37,140,163). Hay que tomar estos resultados con precaución puesto que las dosis y las condiciones de consumo de alcohol pudieron ser diferentes en cada estudio.…”

“…La concentración plasmática de la proteína C-reactiva (CRP) se correlaciona negativamente con la longitud de los telómeros (37). El uso de fármacos antiinflamatorios puede reducir el acortamiento de la longitud del telómero si esto se debe a la inflamación (38).…”

“…Aunque la adhesión a algunos patrones dietéticos como el patrón de dieta mediterránea ha demostrado un efecto beneficioso en la longitud de los telómeros y algunas enfermedades relacionadas con ellos (42,43), otros estudios que examinaron la asociación entre los grupos de alimentos y la longitud de los telómeros han dado lugar a resultados inconsistentes (37,44,45).…”

Telomere length in circulating leukocytes is associated with lung function and disease

“…In addition, stratifying by lung function within the group of healthy smokers (current and ex-smokers) did not clarify the issue, although for FVC, an effect could be detected in smokers of the lower quartile. The underlying reason for not detecting an effect may be found in the complex interactions between smoking and genetic and/or lifestyle factors, such as dietary antioxidants or physical activity, affecting biological age and its markers [1,3,[27][28][29][30][31][32], but also in the heterogeneity of smoking exposure, and its amount and duration.…”

DNA Replication and Telomere Shortening: Key Factors Related to the Production of C3-Aldehydes and the Interaction of One of them with DNA Guanine Residues

“…Moreover, we must really bear in mind that (i) progressive telomere shortening generates critically short telomeres that limit the replicative capacity of cells [21] and, in mice, is able to cause loss of tissue renewal capacity and progressive organ failure [22]; (ii) correlations of telomere length with healthy lifestyles suggest the role of these factors in telomere biology maintenance and its potential impact on overall health status [23].…”