Premium
Association Between Higher Plasma Lutein, Zeaxanthin, and Vitamin C Concentrations and Longer Telomere Length: Results of the Austrian Stroke Prevention Study
Author(s) -
Sen Abhijit,
Marsche Gunther,
Freudenberger Paul,
Schallert Michael,
Toeglhofer Anna M.,
Nagl Christoph,
Schmidt Reinhold,
Launer Lenore J.,
Schmidt Helena
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1111/jgs.12644
Subject(s) - zeaxanthin , medicine , lutein , vitamin e , carotenoid , micronutrient , telomere , cohort , vitamin , endocrinology , population , oxidative stress , physiology , food science , antioxidant , biochemistry , biology , pathology , environmental health , dna
Objectives To examine the association between plasma concentrations of antioxidative micronutrients and leukocyte telomere length ( LTL ) in elderly adults. Design Cross‐sectional cohort study. Setting Austrian Stroke Prevention Study, a population‐based cohort study on brain aging. Participants Individuals with a mean age of 66 ± 7 (n = 786; 58% female). Measurements Concentrations of vitamin C, lutein, zeaxanthin, β ‐cryptoxanthin, canthaxanthin, lycopene, α ‐ and γ ‐tocopherol, α ‐ and β ‐carotene, and retinol in plasma, advanced oxidation protein products as a measure of oxidative stress in serum, and LTL were measured. Vitamins and carotenoids were measured using high‐performance liquid chromatography, advanced oxidation protein products using spectrophotometry, and telomere length using quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Results Multiple linear regression analyses with adjustment for age and sex demonstrated that higher lutein, zeaxanthin, and vitamin C concentrations were strongly associated with longer telomere length. The associations were independent of body mass index, maximum oxygen uptake, and vascular risk factors and were not mediated by advanced oxidation protein products content. Conclusion This study provides first evidence that higher lutein, zeaxanthin, and vitamin C concentrations in plasma are associated with longer LTL in normal elderly persons and suggest a protective role of these vitamins in telomere maintenance.