Abstract
Objectives In this study, we assessed the effects of dietary magnesium on leukocyte telomere length (LTL). Designs The current cross-sectional analysis was based on data collected within a type 2 diabetes project. Settings. Dietary magnesium intake is associated with peripheral blood leukocyte telomere length (LTL). However, few epidemiological studies have evaluated the effects of magnesium on LTL in the clinical setting. Participants. This cross-sectional analysis included 467 participants (34.8% men). Measurements. Serum blood lipid profile, HbA1c, oxidative stress, and proinflammatory mediator levels were measured. Detailed dietary data were obtained using a 24 h food recall. LTL was assessed using a real-time PCR assay. Regression models and simple regulatory models were used for data analysis. Results There was an inverse relationship between dietary magnesium and LTL (P < 0.001), with a between-extreme-quarter difference of -0.55. Conversely, there was a positive relationship between dietary magnesium and serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α, with an interquarter difference of 3.79 pmol/mL (P for trend = 0.006). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that the odds ratios (ORs) for shorter LTL and higher serum TNFα increased with magnesium intake, and the ORs of the differences between extreme quartiles were 2.60 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.31–5.36; P = 0.003) and 1.98 (95% CI: 1.09–3.59; P = 0.008). There was a direct negative effect of dietary magnesium intake on LTL (B = −0.002; P = 0.001), which appeared to be indirectly influenced by TNFα (-0.002 to -0.0005). Conclusions Dietary magnesium intake may be a critical component of the cellular aging process, and its effect could be partly mediated by TNFα.
Highlights
Telomeres are nucleoprotein complexes composed of guanine-rich TTAGGG repeats located at the ends of chromosomes in eukaryotic cells and are essential for maintaining cellular chromosome integrity [1]
This cross-sectional analysis used data previously collected from a type 2 diabetes mellitus cohort consisting of 599 participants enrolled between March 2014 and January 2015 in a suburb of Beijing [3]
Participants with the shortest leukocyte telomere length (LTL) had higher caloric intake, this result was not significant, and had a higher carbohydrate and protein intake but less fat intake compared with other participants (Table 1)
Summary
Telomeres are nucleoprotein complexes composed of guanine-rich TTAGGG repeats located at the ends of chromosomes in eukaryotic cells and are essential for maintaining cellular chromosome integrity [1]. Telomere attrition is one of the hallmarks of cellular aging [2]. Peripheral blood leukocyte telomere length (LTL) has recently been shown to be a useful biomarker for cellular aging. LTL was found to be influenced by consumption of different foods, such as nuts, fish, seaweed, and sweetened carbonated beverages [3]. Recent studies have suggested that dietary micronutrients may be associated with TL [4]. Magnesium is a crucial element that is required for the regulation of cellular and metabolic reactions. Alternations in magnesium content or its distribution within the body are associated with several agerelated diseases, such as diabetes [5, 6].
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