Plain language summary
Ageing is an inevitable process affecting all living cells. The initial mechanisms of ageing are partly mediated by excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) or decreased ROS scavenging. Short telomeres [telomeres are distinctive structures found at the ends of our chromosomes] have been associated with ageing and cardiovascular (CV) disease. The aim of this study was to explore the impact of long-term supplementation with combined selenium (Se) and coenzyme Q10 on leukocyte telomere length (LTL) preservation in an ageing population low in Se, with emphasis on LTL’s possible impact on CV mortality. This is a sub-study of a previous prospective, randomised, placebo-controlled, single-centre trial. This study used blood samples retrieved at inclusion and at 42 months. A total of 118 elderly persons were included in the study, of whom 67 were on active treatment and 51 received placebo. Results show that supplementation with combined Se and coenzyme Q10 for 42 months prevented telomere attrition in an elderly Swedish population low in Se. In fact, less telomere shortening during the follow-up period was associated with significantly longer survival. No significant sex differences were noted. Authors conclude that although causality in the intervention was not proven by their findings, the observed preservation of telomeres along with longer survival was clear, indicating the telomeres’ preventive contribution in the reduction of CV mortality.
Abstract
Short telomeres have been associated with ageing and cardiovascular disease. The influence on leukocyte telomere length (LTL) of long-term intervention with combined selenium and coenzyme Q10 is unknown. Our aim was to determine whether 42 months of selenium and coenzyme Q10 supplementation prevented telomere attrition and further cardiovascular mortality. The investigation is an explorative sub-study of a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial. Swedish citizens low in selenium (n = 118), aged 70−80 years, were included. Intervention time was 4 years, with 10 years’ follow-up time. LTL was relatively quantified with PCR at baseline and after 42 months. At baseline, LTL (SD) was 0.954 (0.260) in the active treatment group and 1.018 (0.317) in the placebo group (p = 0.23). At 42 months, less shortening of LTL was observed after active treatment compared with placebo (+0.019 vs. −0.129, respectively, p = 0.02), with a significant difference in change basing the analysis on individual changes in LTL (p < 0.001). Subjects suffering future death presented with significantly shorter LTL at 42 months than survivors [0.791 (0.190) vs. 0.941 (0.279), p = 0.01], with a significant difference in change of LTL according to cardiovascular mortality and survival (p = 0.03). To conclude, preservation of LTL after selenium and coenzyme Q10 supplementation associated with reduced cardiovascular mortality.
Methodological quality
Jadad score
:
3
Allocation concealment
:
Yes
