title: Comparison of telomere length between population-specific mitochondrial haplogroups among different age groups in a Latvian population.
abstract: Population studies have demonstrated that telomere length (TL) displays great diversity among different populations. Previously described controversial findings associated longevity with specific mitochondrial DNA haplogroups (hgs) (e.g., J and U). These observations may be influenced by population diversity, geographic location, and/or specific historic background. The aims of this study were to identify a specific hg which correlates with aging in a Latvian populating and to evaluate the possible association of TL variability with specific mitochondrial hgs. The results show no significant correlation between TL, mitochondrial DNA hgs and longevity. A slight increase in frequency was observed among centenarians of hg H; however, these findings were not statistically significant. TL did not show any statically significant difference, only hg W had slightly longer telomeres among others. An insignificant increase in TL was observed in the 55-89 age group of hg W but in the <90 age group for hg J which also had the longest TL in the 20-45 age group. In conclusion this study indicates that specific mitochondrial DNA hgs do not have a significant, if any, influence on the variation of TL in Latvians.
authors: Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites iela 1, Riga LV-1067, Latvia. Electronic address: egija.zole@biomed.lu.lv.
authors: Egija
authors: E
authors: Zole
authors: Faculty of Biology, University of Latvia, Kronvalda boulev. 4, Riga LV-1010, Latvia.
authors: Didzis
authors: D
authors: Elferts
authors: Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites iela 1, Riga LV-1067, Latvia.
authors: Janis
authors: J
authors: Kimsis
authors: Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites iela 1, Riga LV-1067, Latvia.
authors: Astrida
authors: A
authors: Krumina
authors: Faculty of Biology, University of Latvia, Kronvalda boulev. 4, Riga LV-1010, Latvia.
authors: Kristaps
authors: K
authors: Narels
authors: Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites iela 1, Riga LV-1067, Latvia.
authors: Ilva
authors: I
authors: Pole
authors: Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites iela 1, Riga LV-1067, Latvia; Riga Stradins University, Dzirciema iela 16, Riga LV-1007, Latvia.
authors: Renate
authors: R
authors: Ranka
authors: Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites iela 1, Riga LV-1067, Latvia.
authors: Liana
authors: L
authors: Pliss
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006239:Haplotypes; D006801:Humans; D007844:Latvia; D008136:Longevity / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016615:Telomere / Q000235:genetics*; D059505:Telomere Homeostasis / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial
keywords: Aging; Latvians; Mitochondrial haplogroups; Telomere length