BACKGROUND: Leukocyte telomere length (LTL) is regarded as a potential marker of biological aging. Oxidative stress plays a major role in the rate of telomeric DNA loss. The aim of this study was to explore whether the LTL was shorter in Chinese patients with premature coronary artery disease (PCAD) than in non-CAD controls and to determine the relationship between oxidative stress and LTL shortening in this population.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients for coronary angiography were recruited. In total, 128 patients with PCAD and 128 non-CAD controls were enrolled. Samples of circulating leukocytes and plasma were collected. The mean LTL was measured using a polymerase chain reaction-based assay and expressed as the ratio of telomere repeat copies to single-copy gene (SCG) copies (T/S ratio). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) were determined in plasma.

RESULTS: Both the T/S ratio (0.88±0.86 vs. 1.10±0.57, P=0.015) and telomere base pairs (4.97±1.37 kb vs. 5.32±0.91 kb, P=0.015) were significantly shorter in the PCAD group than in non-CAD controls. The T-AOC levels of the PCAD group were significantly lower than those of the non-CAD controls (0.482 mM [0.279, 0.603 mM]) vs. 0.778 mM [0.421, 0.924 mM], P=0.000). The ratio of T-AOC to ROS in the PCAD patients was significantly decreased compared to that of the non-CAD controls (0.1026±0. 1587 [Mm*ml/ng] vs. 0.1435±0.1946 [Mm*ml/ng], P=0.013).

CONCLUSIONS: The results point to a potential link between reduced LTLs in patients with PCAD and early onset of atherosclerosis. The decline in antioxidant capacity may play an important role in accelerating the attrition of telomeres in PCAD patients.

Keywords: Coronary Artery Disease, Telomere