Association between modifiable lifestyle factors and telomere length: a univariable and multivariable Mendelian randomization study
Abstract Background Telomere length has long been recognized as a valuable biomarker of aging and is inversely correlated with chronological age. Various lifestyle factors have been implicated in telomere shortening or preservation; however, the association between lifestyle factors and telomere len...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2024-02-01
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| Series: | Journal of Translational Medicine |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-024-04956-8 |
| _version_ | 1797273382100664320 |
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| author | Miao Chen Zhen Wang Hongfei Xu Peng Teng Weidong Li Liang Ma |
| author_facet | Miao Chen Zhen Wang Hongfei Xu Peng Teng Weidong Li Liang Ma |
| author_sort | Miao Chen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Telomere length has long been recognized as a valuable biomarker of aging and is inversely correlated with chronological age. Various lifestyle factors have been implicated in telomere shortening or preservation; however, the association between lifestyle factors and telomere length remains controversial. To address this issue, we conducted a Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to investigate the potential causal associations between multiple lifestyle factors and telomere length. Methods Independent genetic variants strongly associated with lifestyle factors (tobacco smoking, sleep duration, insomnia, and physical activity) were selected as instrumental variables from corresponding genome-wide association studies (GWASs). Summary-level data for telomere length was obtained from a GWAS comprising 472,174 European ancestries. Univariable and multivariable MR analyses were performed to assess the relationships. Results The genetic liability to lifetime smoking was robustly associated with shorter telomere length (odd ratio [OR]: 0.882; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.847–0.918). Genetically predicted insomnia was also linked to shorter telomere length (OR: 0.972; 95% CI: 0.959–0.985), while no significant association was observed between sleep duration and telomere length. Furthermore, a suggestive association was found between moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and longer telomere length (OR: 1.680; 95% CI: 1.115–2.531). In multivariable MR analyses, adjusting for potential mediators such as body mass index, type 2 diabetes, alcohol consumption, and alcohol use disorder, the associations of lifetime smoking and insomnia with telomere length remained robust. Conclusion Our findings suggest that smoking and insomnia may contribute to telomere shortening, while physical activity may play a role in telomere length maintenance. These findings underscore the importance of managing positive risk factors and adopting a healthy lifestyle to promote telomere health. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T14:43:34Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4f3a1132da4d4fd78e68ce3de5a44650 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1479-5876 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T14:43:34Z |
| publishDate | 2024-02-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Translational Medicine |
| spelling | doaj.art-4f3a1132da4d4fd78e68ce3de5a446502024-03-05T20:07:41ZengBMCJournal of Translational Medicine1479-58762024-02-0122111010.1186/s12967-024-04956-8Association between modifiable lifestyle factors and telomere length: a univariable and multivariable Mendelian randomization studyMiao Chen0Zhen Wang1Hongfei Xu2Peng Teng3Weidong Li4Liang Ma5Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of MedicineDepartment of Cardiovascular Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of MedicineDepartment of Cardiovascular Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of MedicineDepartment of Cardiovascular Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of MedicineDepartment of Cardiovascular Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of MedicineDepartment of Cardiovascular Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of MedicineAbstract Background Telomere length has long been recognized as a valuable biomarker of aging and is inversely correlated with chronological age. Various lifestyle factors have been implicated in telomere shortening or preservation; however, the association between lifestyle factors and telomere length remains controversial. To address this issue, we conducted a Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to investigate the potential causal associations between multiple lifestyle factors and telomere length. Methods Independent genetic variants strongly associated with lifestyle factors (tobacco smoking, sleep duration, insomnia, and physical activity) were selected as instrumental variables from corresponding genome-wide association studies (GWASs). Summary-level data for telomere length was obtained from a GWAS comprising 472,174 European ancestries. Univariable and multivariable MR analyses were performed to assess the relationships. Results The genetic liability to lifetime smoking was robustly associated with shorter telomere length (odd ratio [OR]: 0.882; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.847–0.918). Genetically predicted insomnia was also linked to shorter telomere length (OR: 0.972; 95% CI: 0.959–0.985), while no significant association was observed between sleep duration and telomere length. Furthermore, a suggestive association was found between moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and longer telomere length (OR: 1.680; 95% CI: 1.115–2.531). In multivariable MR analyses, adjusting for potential mediators such as body mass index, type 2 diabetes, alcohol consumption, and alcohol use disorder, the associations of lifetime smoking and insomnia with telomere length remained robust. Conclusion Our findings suggest that smoking and insomnia may contribute to telomere shortening, while physical activity may play a role in telomere length maintenance. These findings underscore the importance of managing positive risk factors and adopting a healthy lifestyle to promote telomere health.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-024-04956-8Lifestyle factorsTelomere lengthLifetime smokingInsomniaSleep durationPhysical activity |
| spellingShingle | Miao Chen Zhen Wang Hongfei Xu Peng Teng Weidong Li Liang Ma Association between modifiable lifestyle factors and telomere length: a univariable and multivariable Mendelian randomization study Journal of Translational Medicine Lifestyle factors Telomere length Lifetime smoking Insomnia Sleep duration Physical activity |
| title | Association between modifiable lifestyle factors and telomere length: a univariable and multivariable Mendelian randomization study |
| title_full | Association between modifiable lifestyle factors and telomere length: a univariable and multivariable Mendelian randomization study |
| title_fullStr | Association between modifiable lifestyle factors and telomere length: a univariable and multivariable Mendelian randomization study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Association between modifiable lifestyle factors and telomere length: a univariable and multivariable Mendelian randomization study |
| title_short | Association between modifiable lifestyle factors and telomere length: a univariable and multivariable Mendelian randomization study |
| title_sort | association between modifiable lifestyle factors and telomere length a univariable and multivariable mendelian randomization study |
| topic | Lifestyle factors Telomere length Lifetime smoking Insomnia Sleep duration Physical activity |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-024-04956-8 |
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