Associations between Vitamin D, Omega 6:Omega 3 Ratio, and Biomarkers of Aging in Individuals Living with and without Chronic Pain.

Akemi T Wijayabahu,Robert L Cook,Angela M Mickle,Volker Mai,Toni L Glover,Jinying Zhao,Marianna K Baum,Roger B Fillingim,Kimberly T Sibille,Cynthia Garvan

doi:10.3390/nu14020266

Akemi T Wijayabahu, Robert L Cook + Show 8 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14020266

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Abstract

Elevated inflammatory cytokines and chronic pain are associated with shorter leukocyte telomere length (LTL), a measure of cellular aging. Micronutrients, such as 25-hydroxyvitamin D (vitamin D) and omega 3, have anti-inflammatory properties. Little is known regarding the relationships between vitamin D, omega 6:3 ratio, LTL, inflammation, and chronic pain. We investigate associations between vitamin D, omega 6:3 ratio, LTL, and C-reactive protein (CRP) in people living with/without chronic pain overall and stratified by chronic pain status. A cross-sectional analysis of 402 individuals (63% women, 79.5% with chronic pain) was completed. Demographic and health information was collected. Chronic pain was assessed as pain experienced for at least three months. LTL was measured in genomic DNA isolated from blood leukocytes, and micronutrients and CRP were measured in serum samples. Data were analyzed with general linear regression. Although an association between the continuous micronutrients and LTL was not observed, a positive association between omega 6:3 ratio and CRP was detected. In individuals with chronic pain, based on clinical categories, significant associations between vitamin D, omega 6:3 ratio, and CRP were observed. Findings highlight the complex relationships between anti-inflammatory micronutrients, inflammation, cellular aging, and chronic pain.

Highlights

IntroductionLeukocyte telomere length (LTL) is widely studied as a biomarker of cellular aging
A relationship was not detected between continuous vitamin D and C-reactive protein (CRP), vitamin D deficiency was positively associated with CRP
Findings highlight the complex relationships between anti-inflammatory micronutrients, inflammation, cellular aging, and chronic pain

Summary

Introduction

Leukocyte telomere length (LTL) is widely studied as a biomarker of cellular aging. Telomere shortening has been linked to cellular aging processes, such as genomic instability and cellular senescence [1]. Does inflammation within the cellular environment contribute to telomere shortening, but the accumulation of senescent cells and the senescence-associated secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines contribute to the low-grade chronic inflammatory state of aging adults [1]. The elevated inflammatory state serves as a contributing factor in the pathogenesis and progression of many age-related disease conditions, including the development of chronic pain [2,3,4]. Shorter LTL is associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality [5,6,7]

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