Plasma irisin levels predict telomere length in healthy adults.
The ageing process is strongly influenced by nutrient balance, such that modest calorie restriction (CR) extends lifespan in mammals. Irisin, a newly described hormone released from skeletal muscles after exercise, may induce CR-like effects by increasing adipose tissue energy expenditure. Using telomere length as a marker of ageing, this study investigates associations between body composition, plasma irisin levels and peripheral blood mononuclear cell telomere length in healthy, non-obese individuals. Segmental body composition (by bioimpedance), telomere length and plasma irisin levels were assessed in 81 healthy individuals (age 43 ± 15.8 years, BMI 24.3 ± 2.9 kg/m(2)). Data showed significant correlations between log-transformed relative telomere length and the following: age (p < 0.001), height (p = 0.045), total body fat percentage (p = 0.031), abdominal fat percentage (p = 0.038), visceral fat level (p < 0.001), plasma leptin (p = 0.029) and plasma irisin (p = 0.011), respectively. Multiple regression analysis using backward elimination revealed that relative telomere length can be predicted by age (b = -0.00735, p = 0.001) and plasma irisin levels (b = 0.04527, p = 0.021). These data support the view that irisin may have a role in the modulation of both energy balance and the ageing process.
Aston Research Centre for Healthy Ageing and School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK.
Karan S
KS
Rana
Muhammad
M
Arif
Eric J
EJ
Hill
Sarah
S
Aldred
David A
DA
Nagel
Alan
A
Nevill
Harpal S
HS
Randeva
Clifford J
CJ
Bailey
Srikanth
S
Bellary
James E
JE
Brown
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000235:genetics*; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics*; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D016615:Telomere / Q000235:genetics*; D059505:Telomere Homeostasis / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
C577593:FNDC5 protein, human; D005353:Fibronectins; D004247:DNA