Estimating the survival advantage based on telomere length and serum biomarkers of aging

• Main Authors: Yilin Zhao, Shijun Li, Hui Liu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2017-08-01
• Series: Journal of Translational Medicine
• Subjects: Aging; Albumin; Telomere length; Survival advantage
• Online Access: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12967-017-1267-8

Abstract Background This study aimed to establish a model that estimates the survival advantage at the molecular level based on telomere length and serum biomarkers of aging, to explore clinical significance. Methods The study consisted of 100 healthy subjects and 40 type 2 diabetes mellitus patients, 20–90 years of age. Saliva telomere relative length (LnTL) was measured by the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and the serum biochemical parameters, including albumin (ALB), total proteins, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and some enzyme parameters were detected by a biochemical analyzer. The Z values were transformed from mean values and standard deviations to estimate the survival advantage. A normal reference range (95% confidence interval) was set to the comprehensive advantage of the Z values (Zs) to evaluate the comprehensive survival advantage. Results The Z values of serum ALB and saliva LnTL could be used to estimate the survival advantage, and effectively distinguish between the aging and nonaging individuals. The Zs was greater than 1.64 in the normal reference range, and type 2 diabetes mellitus patients had lower survival advantages compared to those of the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusions Our two-dimensional model system using ALB and LnTL was valid and may have potential applications for evaluating the aging status at the molecular level, and for the observation of disease characteristics.