Menopause modifies the association of leukocyte telomere length with insulin resistance and inflammation.
BACKGROUND
Leukocyte telomere length is inversely correlated with age, insulin resistance, serum leptin, and smoking.


OBJECTIVE
We explored whether menopausal status modifies the relations between leukocyte telomere length and insulin resistance. In addition, we examined the effect of menopause on the relation between leukocyte telomere length and C-reactive protein (CRP), an index of inflammation.


METHODS
This was an observational cohort study.


METHODS
The study setting was community based.


METHODS
A total of 1517 women aged 18-79 yr selected only for belonging to a twin pair and representative of the general population participated in the study.


METHODS
Leukocyte telomere restriction fragment length (TRFL) was measured.


RESULTS
Insulin resistance (expressed in the homeostasis model assessment), leptin, and CRP were inversely correlated with leukocyte TRFL in premenopausal but not postmenopausal women. Insulin resistance, CRP, but not leptin independently accounted for variation in white blood cell TRFL in premenopausal women.


CONCLUSIONS
Menopausal status impacts leukocyte telomere length and its relation with insulin resistance and inflammation in women.
Aviv
Abraham
A
Room F-464 MSB, Department of Pediatrics, Hypertension Research Center, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, 185 South Orange Avenue, Newark, NJ 07103, USA. avivab@umdnj.edu
Valdes
Ana
A
Gardner
Jeffrey P
JP
Swaminathan
Rami
R
Kimura
Masayuki
M
Spector
Tim D
TD
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000502:physiology*; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D008593:Menopause / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016615:Telomere / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D020738:Leptin; D002097:C-Reactive Protein