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The effect of telomere length, a marker of biological aging, on bone mineral density in elderly population

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Abstract

Summary

Telomere length (TL), as a reflection of aging and inflammatory processes, may be associated with bone mineral density (BMD). This study examines the association between TL and BMD cross-sectionally and the rate of bone loss over a 4-year period in 1,867 Chinese elderly community living subjects. After adjusting for confounding factors, no association was observed with BMD or bone loss. The decline in BMD with aging is not reflected by corresponding changes in telomere length.

Introduction

Bone mineral density (BMD) is influenced by the dynamics of aging, inflammatory, and bone remodeling processes. Telomere length (TL) is a reflection of the former two processes and may also be associated with bone loss.

Methods

Hip BMD was measured in 1,867 Chinese elderly community living subjects and the relationship between leukocyte TL measured using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and bone loss after 4 years was examined.

Results

Women had greater bone loss than men. In women, age of menopause, menarche, estrogen treatment/replacement therapy, and history of previous fracture were also among the significant covariates. However, in multivariate analyses, TL was not associated with BMD in either sex.

Conclusions

TL was not associated with either baseline BMD or bone loss over 4 years and accounted for less than 1.6% of the baseline BMD.

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Acknowledgments

The study was supported by the Direct Grant from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the Centre for Nutritional Studies, School of Public Health, and the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Foundation.

Conflicts of interest

None.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China

    N. L. S. Tang & C. D. Liao

  2. Department of Medicine & Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China

    J. Woo & E. W. C. Suen

  3. Jockey Club Centre for Osteoporosis Care and Control, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China

    J. C. S. Leung & P. C. Leung

  4. Department of Medicine & Therapeutics, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China

    J. Woo

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  1. N. L. S. Tang
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  2. J. Woo
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  3. E. W. C. Suen
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  4. C. D. Liao
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  5. J. C. S. Leung
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to J. Woo.

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Tang, N.L.S., Woo, J., Suen, E.W.C. et al. The effect of telomere length, a marker of biological aging, on bone mineral density in elderly population. Osteoporos Int 21, 89–97 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-009-0948-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-009-0948-4

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