Maternal Caffeine Consumption and Racial Disparities in Fetal Telomere Length.

Isabel Griffin,Boubakari Ibrahimou,Hamisu M Salihu,Kristopher Myers,Korede K Yusuf,Usman J Wudil,Daniel Mauck,Natasha Navejar,Muktar H Aliyu,Anjali Aggarwal

doi:10.21106/ijma.290

Abstract

Background and Objectives:The identification of risk factors for shorter telomere length, especially during fetal development, would be important towards caffeine consumption recommendations for pregnant women on a global scale. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between caffeine intake and fetal telomere length as well as racial/ethnic differences in telomere length regardless of maternal caffeine consumption status.Methods:Caffeine intake was measured using a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Three generalized linear models (GLM) were compared based on binary categorical variables of caffeine levels using data mean value of 117.3 mg as cut-off; the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations of 300 mg; and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommendations of 200 mg. The association between caffeine consumption and telomere length (telomere to single-copy [T/S] ratio) was then assessed.Results:Among 57 maternal-fetal dyads, 77.2% reported less than 200 mg of caffeine (ACOG) and 89.5% less than 300 mg (WHO). Both WHO and ACOG models found that caffeine intake was significantly and positively associated with longer telomere length (p<0.05); and sodium (p<0.05). Other” race (p<0.001) and “white” race (p<0.001) were also significantly and positively associated with longer telomere length in the same models. Increasing maternal age shortened telomere length significantly in all models (p<0.001).Conclusion and Global Health implications:Caffeine intake, maternal age, and race may be associated with alterations in fetal telomere length. This indicates that caffeine consumption during pregnancy may have long-term implications for fetal development. The racial/ethnic differences in telomere length found in this study warrant larger studies to further confirm these associations.

Highlights

Telomeres are DNA-based regions that cap the end of chromosomes to prevent degradation of essential genes involved in cell replication.Telomeres progressively shorten, and cells become susceptible to degradation as the shortening occurs, which is the result of low telomerase levels.[1]
Health implications: Caffeine intake, maternal age, and race may be associated with alterations in fetal telomere length.This indicates that caffeine consumption during pregnancy may have long-term implications for fetal development.The racial/ethnic differences in telomere length found in this study warrant larger studies to further confirm these associations
This study suggests that high maternal caffeine intake and other factors including race, may be associated with increased fetal telomere length, whereas advanced maternal age may be associated with shortened fetal telomere lengths

Summary

Introduction

Telomeres are DNA-based regions that cap the end of chromosomes to prevent degradation of essential genes involved in cell replication.Telomeres progressively shorten, and cells become susceptible to degradation as the shortening occurs, which is the result of low telomerase levels (an enzyme that elongates chromosomes by adding TTAGGG sequences).[1]. In a study by Liu et al among 4,780 female nurses who reported coffee consumption, the investigators found that telomere length increased with elevated levels of caffeine consumption.[3] in a separate study by Tucker et al, researchers found that for each 100 mg of caffeine consumed, telomeres were 35.4 base pairs shorter.[4] This same study found that coffee consumption within this population was positively associated with longer telomere length.[4] These inconsistent findings indicate the need to continue examining the association while taking into account additional confounding factors as well as population subgroups, such as pregnant women, where caffeine consumption may be detrimental to the development of a healthy fetus.[5]. The identification of risk factors for shorter telomere length, especially during fetal development, would be important towards caffeine consumption recommendations for pregnant women on a global scale. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between caffeine intake and fetal telomere length as well as racial/ethnic differences in telomere length regardless of maternal caffeine consumption status

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion