Elevated tissue status of omega-3 fatty acids protects against age-related telomere attrition in fat-1 transgenic mice.
Clin Nutr
; 43(6): 1488-1494, 2024 Jun.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38718720
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND & AIMS:
Leukocyte telomere length (LTL) is a biomarker of aging that may be influenced by dietary factors. Omega-3 fatty acids (n-3 FA) have been suggested to affect LTL. However, research on this effect has been inconclusive. The aim of the study was to test the hypothesis about the positive effect of n-3 FA on LTL.METHODS:
Fat-1 transgenic mice, which can convert omega-6 fatty acids (n-6 FA) to n-3 FA and have elevated levels of endogenous n-3 FA in their tissues, were used to study the effects of n-3 FA on LTL at different ages. Blood samples from 10-month-old wild-type (WT) mice (n = 10) and fat-1 mice (n = 10) and 3-month-old WT mice (n = 5) and fat-1 mice (n = 5) were used to measure relative and absolute LTL. The levels of proteins critical for telomere maintenance were examined by Western blot analysis.RESULTS:
Fat-1 transgenic mice had longer leukocyte telomeres than their WT siblings, suggesting a slower rate of age-related telomere shortening in fat-1 mice. In animals aged 10 months, the LTL was significantly longer in fat-1 than in WT mice (mean ± SEM; relative LTL WT = 1.00 ± 0.09 vs. fat-1 1.25 ± 0.05, P = 0.031; absolute LTL WT = 64.41 ± 6.50 vs. fat-1 78.53 ± 3.86, P = 0.048). The difference in LTL observed in three-month-old mice was insignificant, however the mean LTL was still longer in fat-1 mice than in the WT mice. Fat-1 mice also had abundant levels of two shelterin proteins TRF1 (27%, P = 0.028) and TRF2 (47%, P = 0.040) (telomeric repeat binding factor 1 and 2) compared to WT animals.CONCLUSION:
This study, for the first time in a unique animal model free of dietary confounders, has demonstrated that increased levels of n-3 FA in tissues can reduce telomere attrition. The data presented indicate the possibility of using omega-3 fatty acids to reduce accelerated telomere attrition and, consequently, counteract premature aging and reduce the risk of age-related diseases.Palavras-chave
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Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Envelhecimento
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Camundongos Transgênicos
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Ácidos Graxos Ômega-3
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Telômero
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2024
Tipo de documento:
Article