Association between leukocyte telomere length and serum carotenoid in US adults

Eur J Nutr. 2017 Apr;56(3):1045-1052. doi: 10.1007/s00394-016-1152-x. Epub 2016 Jan 27.

Abstract

Purpose: Telomere length is a biomarker for aging. It is known that oxidative stress can accelerate telomere shortening, whereas antioxidants can delay their shortening. Carotenoids as antioxidants are favorably associated with health- and aging-related diseases caused by oxidative stress, but their association with telomere length is less certain. We investigated the association between blood carotenoid levels and leukocyte telomere length in a representative sample of US adults.

Methods: We analyzed 3660 participants aged 20 years and older in the 1999-2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The levels of carotenoids-alpha-carotene, beta-carotene (trans + cis), beta-cryptoxanthin, combined lutein/zeaxanthin, and trans-lycopene-were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography. The leukocyte telomere length (T/S ratio) was assayed using the quantitative polymerase chain reaction method.

Results: A doubling of blood alpha-carotene, beta-carotene (trans + cis), and beta-cryptoxanthin was associated with approximately 2 % longer telomeres. Compared with the lowest carotenoid quartile of alpha-carotene, beta-carotene (trans + cis), and beta-cryptoxanthin, telomere length for adults with the highest quartiles was significantly increased by 5-8 %.

Conclusion: We found that increasing levels of blood carotenoid were significantly associated with longer leukocyte telomeres in US adults. High intake of carotenoid-rich food may play a role in protecting telomeres and regulating telomere length.

Keywords: Antioxidant; Carotenoid; Oxidative stress; Telomere.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Aging*
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Body Mass Index
  • Carotenoids / administration & dosage
  • Carotenoids / blood*
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Docosahexaenoic Acids / administration & dosage
  • Docosahexaenoic Acids / blood
  • Eicosapentaenoic Acid / administration & dosage
  • Eicosapentaenoic Acid / blood
  • Female
  • Folic Acid / blood
  • Homocysteine / blood
  • Humans
  • Leukocytes / metabolism*
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nutrition Surveys
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Telomere / ultrastructure*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Homocysteine
  • Docosahexaenoic Acids
  • Carotenoids
  • Folic Acid
  • Eicosapentaenoic Acid