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Immaculata De Vivo - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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one carbon metabolism factors and leukocyte Telomere Length
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2013Co-Authors: Jennifer Prescott, Susan E Hankinson, Edward Giovannucci, Bernard Rosner, Immaculata De VivoAbstract:Background: Dietary and genetic factors involved in the one-carbon metabolism pathway may affect Telomere Length through DNA methylation and synthesis, but this has not been comprehensively investigated in epidemiologic studies. Objective: We cross-sectionally examined associations between dietary and genetic factors in the one-carbon metabolism pathway and relative peripheral blood leukocyte Telomere Length. Design: A total of 1715 participants from the Nurses’ Health Study (NHS) had measurements of relative Telomere Length and plasma concentrations of folate, vitamin B-6, vitamin B-12, cysteine, and homocysteine. Food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ) measurements were also used for the assessment of folate, choline, methionine, riboflavin, vitamin B-6, vitamin B-12, and alcohol intakes. Genotyping was performed on 475 participants with Telomere measurements on 29 mostly nonsynonymous single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) involved in one-carbon metabolism. Unconditional logistic and linear regression models were used. Results: There were no significant dose-response relations between any plasma- or FFQ-measured dietary factors and relative Telomere Length in multivariate analyses. For folate, vitamin B-6, and vitamin B-12, results from the use of FFQ data were consistent with plasma-biomarker findings. We showed no significant associations that involved SNPs and relative Telomere Length after we accounted for the false discovery rate. Conclusion: Our analyses involving plasma and questionnaire measurements of one-carbon metabolism factors show that some key dietary and genetic factors in this metabolic network are not associated with relative peripheral blood leukocyte Telomere Length.
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Telomere Length and early severe social deprivation linking early adversity and cellular aging
Molecular Psychiatry, 2012Co-Authors: Stacy S Drury, Katherine P Theall, Mary Margaret Gleason, Immaculata De Vivo, Anna T Smyke, Charles H Zeanah, Jason Y.y. Wong, Charles A NelsonAbstract:Accelerated Telomere Length attrition has been associated with psychological stress and early adversity in adults; however, no studies have examined whether Telomere Length in childhood is associated with early experiences. The Bucharest Early Intervention Project is a unique randomized controlled trial of foster care placement compared with continued care in institutions. As a result of the study design, participants were exposed to a quantified range of time in institutional care, and represented an ideal population in which to examine the association between a specific early adversity, institutional care and Telomere Length. We examined the association between average relative Telomere Length, Telomere repeat copy number to single gene copy number (T/S) ratio and exposure to institutional care quantified as the percent of time at baseline (mean age 22 months) and at 54 months of age that each child lived in the institution. A significant negative correlation between T/S ratio and percentage of time was observed. Children with greater exposure to institutional care had significantly shorter relative Telomere Length in middle childhood. Gender modified this main effect. The percentage of time in institutional care at baseline significantly predicted Telomere Length in females, whereas the percentage of institutional care at 54 months was strongly predictive of Telomere Length in males. This is the first study to demonstrate an association between Telomere Length and institutionalization, the first study to find an association between adversity and Telomere Length in children, and contributes to the growing literature linking Telomere Length and early adversity.
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healthy lifestyle and leukocyte Telomere Length in u s women
PLOS ONE, 2012Co-Authors: Jennifer Prescott, Immaculata De Vivo, Meir J Stampfer, Stephanie E Chiuve, Frank B HuAbstract:Context: Whether a healthy lifestyle may be associated with longer Telomere Length is largely unknown. Objectives: To examine healthy lifestyle practices, which are primary prevention measures against major age-related chronic diseases, in relation to leukocyte Telomere Length. Design and Setting: Cross-sectional analysis in the Nurses' Health Study (NHS). Participants: The population consisted of 5,862 women who participated in multiple prospective case-control studies within the NHS cohort. Z scores of leukocyte Telomere Length were derived within each case-control study. Based on prior work, we defined low-risk or healthy categories for five major modifiable factors assessed in 1988 or 1990: non-current smoking, maintaining a healthy body weight (body mass index in 18.5-24.9 kg/m(2)), engaging in regular moderate or vigorous physical activities (>= 150 minutes/week), drinking alcohol in moderation (1 drink/week to,2 drinks/day), and eating a healthy diet (Alternate Healthy Eating Index score in top 50%). We calculated difference (%) of the z scores contrasting low-risk groups with reference groups to evaluate the association of interest. Results: Although none of the individual low-risk factors was significantly associated with larger leukocyte Telomere Length z scores, we observed a significant, positive relationship between the number of low-risk factors and the z scores. In comparison with women who had zero low-risk factors (1.9% of the total population) and were, therefore, considered the least healthy group, the leukocyte Telomere Length z scores were 16.4%, 22.1%, 28.7%, 22.6%, and 31.2% (P for trend = 0.015) higher for women who had 1 to 5 low-risk factors, respectively. Conclusions: Adherence to a healthy lifestyle, defined by major modifiable risk factors, was associated with longer Telomere Length in leukocytes.
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associations between diet lifestyle factors and Telomere Length in women
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2010Co-Authors: Aedin Cassidy, Jennifer Prescott, Immaculata De Vivo, David J HunterAbstract:Background: Leukocyte Telomere Length is associated with diseases of aging, but there is limited knowledge of diet and lifestyle determinants. Objective: The objective was to examine cross-sectionally the association between diet, body composition, and lifestyle factors on leukocyte Telomere Length in women. Design: Leukocyte Telomere Length was measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction in 2284 female participants from the Nurses’ Health Study, who were selected as controls for an investigation of biological predictors of cancer. Diet, lifestyle, and anthropometric data were assessed by questionnaire. Results: After multivariate adjustment, dietary fiber intake was positively associated with Telomere Length (z score), specifically cereal fiber, with an increase of 0.19 units between the lowest and highest quintiles (P = 0.007, P for trend = 0.03). Although total fat intake was not associated with Telomere Length, polyunsaturated fatty acid intake (−0.26 units, quintile 5 compared with quintile 1: P = 0.002, P for trend = 0.02), specifically linoleic acid intake, was inversely associated with Telomere Length after multivariate adjustment (−0.32 units; P = 0.001, P for trend = 0.05). Waist circumference was inversely associated with Telomere Length [0.15-unit difference in z score in a comparison of the highest (≥32 in, 81.28 cm) with the lowest (≤28 in, 71.12 cm) category (P = 0.01, P for trend = 0.02) in the multivariate model]. We found no association between Telomere Length and smoking, physical activity, or postmenopausal hormone use. Conclusion: Although the strength of the associations was modest in this population of middle- and older-age women, our results support the hypothesis that body composition and dietary factors are related to leukocyte Telomere Length, which is a potential biomarker of chronic disease risk.
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a prospective study of Telomere Length and the risk of skin cancer
Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2009Co-Authors: Abrar A Qureshi, Jennifer Prescott, Immaculata De Vivo, David J Hunter, Li YeAbstract:Telomere Length is important in tumorigenesis. Using quantitative real-time PCR, we prospectively measured relative Telomere Length in a nested case–control study within the Nurses’ Health Study: 218 melanoma cases, 285 squamous-cell carcinoma (SCC) cases, 300 basal-cell carcinoma (BCC) cases, and 870 controls. We observed that shorter Telomeres were associated with a decreased number of moles (P=0.002) and a decreased risk of melanoma. Women in the second and first quartiles, those with the shortest Telomere Length, had an odds ratio (OR) for melanoma of 0.54 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.29–1.01) and 0.59 (95% CI, 0.31–1.13), respectively, compared with those in the fourth quartile (P, trend=0.09). There was no clear trend between Telomere Length and SCC risk. In contrast, we found that shorter Telomere Length was associated with an increased risk of BCC. Compared with those in the fourth quartile, women in the first quartile had an OR of 1.85 (95% CI, 0.94–3.62) (P, trend=0.09). The opposing associations observed should be interpreted with caution, and further research is needed to confirm these possible associations.
David J Hunter - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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associations between diet lifestyle factors and Telomere Length in women
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2010Co-Authors: Aedin Cassidy, Jennifer Prescott, Immaculata De Vivo, David J HunterAbstract:Background: Leukocyte Telomere Length is associated with diseases of aging, but there is limited knowledge of diet and lifestyle determinants. Objective: The objective was to examine cross-sectionally the association between diet, body composition, and lifestyle factors on leukocyte Telomere Length in women. Design: Leukocyte Telomere Length was measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction in 2284 female participants from the Nurses’ Health Study, who were selected as controls for an investigation of biological predictors of cancer. Diet, lifestyle, and anthropometric data were assessed by questionnaire. Results: After multivariate adjustment, dietary fiber intake was positively associated with Telomere Length (z score), specifically cereal fiber, with an increase of 0.19 units between the lowest and highest quintiles (P = 0.007, P for trend = 0.03). Although total fat intake was not associated with Telomere Length, polyunsaturated fatty acid intake (−0.26 units, quintile 5 compared with quintile 1: P = 0.002, P for trend = 0.02), specifically linoleic acid intake, was inversely associated with Telomere Length after multivariate adjustment (−0.32 units; P = 0.001, P for trend = 0.05). Waist circumference was inversely associated with Telomere Length [0.15-unit difference in z score in a comparison of the highest (≥32 in, 81.28 cm) with the lowest (≤28 in, 71.12 cm) category (P = 0.01, P for trend = 0.02) in the multivariate model]. We found no association between Telomere Length and smoking, physical activity, or postmenopausal hormone use. Conclusion: Although the strength of the associations was modest in this population of middle- and older-age women, our results support the hypothesis that body composition and dietary factors are related to leukocyte Telomere Length, which is a potential biomarker of chronic disease risk.
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a prospective study of Telomere Length and the risk of skin cancer
Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2009Co-Authors: Abrar A Qureshi, Jennifer Prescott, Immaculata De Vivo, David J Hunter, Li YeAbstract:Telomere Length is important in tumorigenesis. Using quantitative real-time PCR, we prospectively measured relative Telomere Length in a nested case–control study within the Nurses’ Health Study: 218 melanoma cases, 285 squamous-cell carcinoma (SCC) cases, 300 basal-cell carcinoma (BCC) cases, and 870 controls. We observed that shorter Telomeres were associated with a decreased number of moles (P=0.002) and a decreased risk of melanoma. Women in the second and first quartiles, those with the shortest Telomere Length, had an odds ratio (OR) for melanoma of 0.54 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.29–1.01) and 0.59 (95% CI, 0.31–1.13), respectively, compared with those in the fourth quartile (P, trend=0.09). There was no clear trend between Telomere Length and SCC risk. In contrast, we found that shorter Telomere Length was associated with an increased risk of BCC. Compared with those in the fourth quartile, women in the first quartile had an OR of 1.85 (95% CI, 0.94–3.62) (P, trend=0.09). The opposing associations observed should be interpreted with caution, and further research is needed to confirm these possible associations.
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Telomere Length cigarette smoking and bladder cancer risk in men and women
Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention, 2007Co-Authors: Monica Mcgrath, Dominique S Michaud, David J Hunter, Jason Y.y. Wong, Immaculata De VivoAbstract:Truncated Telomeres are among the defining characteristics of most carcinomas. Given the role of Telomeres in tumorigenesis, we reasoned that constitutionally short Telomeres might be associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer. Using quantitative real-time PCR, we measured relative Telomere Length in bladder cancer cases and healthy controls and evaluated the association between Telomere Length, cigarette smoking, and bladder cancer risk in a case-control study nested within the Health Professionals Follow-up Study and a case-control study nested within the Nurses' Health Study. Telomeres were significantly shorter in bladder cancer cases ( n = 184) than in controls ( n = 192). The mean relative Telomere Length in cases was 0.23 (SD, 0.16) versus 0.27 (SD, 0.15) in controls ( P = 0.001). The adjusted odds ratio for bladder cancer was 1.88 (95% confidence interval, 1.05, 3.36) for individuals in the quartile with the shortest Telomeres as compared with individuals in the quartile with the longest Telomeres ( P trend = 0.006). We observed a statistically significant difference in Telomere Length among men and women ( P < 0.001); however, the interaction between gender, Telomere Length, and bladder cancer risk was not significant. We also observed a significant difference in Telomere Length across categories of pack-years of smoking ( P = 0.01). These findings suggest that truncated Telomeres are associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2007;16(4):815–9)
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Telomere Length cigarette smoking and bladder cancer risk in men and women
Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention, 2007Co-Authors: Monica Mcgrath, Dominique S Michaud, David J Hunter, Jason Y.y. Wong, Immaculata De VivoAbstract:Truncated Telomeres are among the defining characteristics of most carcinomas. Given the role of Telomeres in tumorigenesis, we reasoned that constitutionally short Telomeres might be associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer. Using quantitative real-time PCR, we measured relative Telomere Length in bladder cancer cases and healthy controls and evaluated the association between Telomere Length, cigarette smoking, and bladder cancer risk in a case-control study nested within the Health Professionals Follow-up Study and a case-control study nested within the Nurses' Health Study. Telomeres were significantly shorter in bladder cancer cases (n = 184) than in controls (n = 192). The mean relative Telomere Length in cases was 0.23 (SD, 0.16) versus 0.27 (SD, 0.15) in controls (P = 0.001). The adjusted odds ratio for bladder cancer was 1.88 (95% confidence interval, 1.05, 3.36) for individuals in the quartile with the shortest Telomeres as compared with individuals in the quartile with the longest Telomeres (P(trend) = 0.006). We observed a statistically significant difference in Telomere Length among men and women (P < 0.001); however, the interaction between gender, Telomere Length, and bladder cancer risk was not significant. We also observed a significant difference in Telomere Length across categories of pack-years of smoking (P = 0.01). These findings suggest that truncated Telomeres are associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer.
Donald Blomqvist - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Proximate determinants of Telomere Length in sand lizards ( References Subject collections Proximate determinants of Telomere Length in sand lizards (Lacerta agilis)
2020Co-Authors: Biol Mats Lett, Angela Pauliny, Angela Olsson, Erik Pauliny, Donald Wapstra, ) Blomqvist, Mats Olsson, Erik Wapstra, Donald BlomqvistAbstract:Telomeres are repeat sequences of non-coding DNA that cap the ends of chromosomes and contribute to their stability and the genomic integrity of cells. In evolutionary ecology, the main research target regarding these genomic structures has been their role in ageing and as a potential index of age. However, research on humans shows that a number of traits contribute to among-individual differences in Telomere Length, in particular traits enhancing cell division and genetic erosion, such as levels of free radicals and stress. In lizards, tail loss owing to predation attempts results in a stress-induced shift to a more cryptic lifestyle. In sand lizard (Lacerta agilis) males, Telomere Length was compromised by tail regrowth in a body size-related manner, so that small males, which already exhibit more cryptic mating tactics, were less affected than larger males. Tail regrowth just fell short of having a significant relationship with Telomere Length in females, and so did age in males. In females, there was a significant positive relationship between age and Telomere Length. We conclude that the proximate effect of compromised antipredation and its associated stress seems to have a more pronounced effect in males than in females and that age-associated Telomere dynamics differ between the sexes
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proximate determinants of Telomere Length in sand lizards lacerta agilis
Biology Letters, 2010Co-Authors: Angela Pauliny, Mats Olsson, Erik Wapstra, Donald BlomqvistAbstract:Telomeres are repeat sequences of non-coding DNA that cap the ends of chromosomes and contribute to their stability and the genomic integrity of cells. In evolutionary ecology, the main research target regarding these genomic structures has been their role in ageing and as a potential index of age. However, research on humans shows that a number of traits contribute to among-individual differences in Telomere Length, in particular traits enhancing cell division and genetic erosion, such as levels of free radicals and stress. In lizards, tail loss owing to predation attempts results in a stress-induced shift to a more cryptic lifestyle. In sand lizard (Lacerta agilis) males, Telomere Length was compromised by tail regrowth in a body size-related manner, so that small males, which already exhibit more cryptic mating tactics, were less affected than larger males. Tail regrowth just fell short of having a significant relationship with Telomere Length in females, and so did age in males. In females, there was a significant positive relationship between age and Telomere Length. We conclude that the proximate effect of compromised antipredation and its associated stress seems to have a more pronounced effect in males than in females and that age-associated Telomere dynamics differ between the sexes.
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age independent Telomere Length predicts fitness in two bird species
Molecular Ecology, 2006Co-Authors: Angela Pauliny, Richard H Wagner, Jakob Augustin, Tibor Szep, Donald BlomqvistAbstract:Telomeres are dynamic DNA-protein structures that form protective caps at the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes. Although initial Telomere Length is partly genetically determined, subsequent accelerated Telomere shortening has been linked to elevated levels of oxidative stress. Recent studies show that short Telomere Length alone is insufficient to induce cellular senescence; advanced attrition of these repetitive DNA sequences does, however, reflect ageing processes. Furthermore, Telomeres vary widely in Length between individuals of the same age, suggesting that individuals differ in their exposure or response to Telomere-shortening stress factors. Here, we show that residual Telomere Length predicts fitness components in two phylogenetically distant bird species: longevity in sand martins, Riparia riparia, and lifetime reproductive success in dunlins, Calidris alpina. Our results therefore imply that individuals with longer than expected Telomeres for their age are of higher quality.
Jason Y.y. Wong - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Telomere Length and early severe social deprivation linking early adversity and cellular aging
Molecular Psychiatry, 2012Co-Authors: Stacy S Drury, Katherine P Theall, Mary Margaret Gleason, Immaculata De Vivo, Anna T Smyke, Charles H Zeanah, Jason Y.y. Wong, Charles A NelsonAbstract:Accelerated Telomere Length attrition has been associated with psychological stress and early adversity in adults; however, no studies have examined whether Telomere Length in childhood is associated with early experiences. The Bucharest Early Intervention Project is a unique randomized controlled trial of foster care placement compared with continued care in institutions. As a result of the study design, participants were exposed to a quantified range of time in institutional care, and represented an ideal population in which to examine the association between a specific early adversity, institutional care and Telomere Length. We examined the association between average relative Telomere Length, Telomere repeat copy number to single gene copy number (T/S) ratio and exposure to institutional care quantified as the percent of time at baseline (mean age 22 months) and at 54 months of age that each child lived in the institution. A significant negative correlation between T/S ratio and percentage of time was observed. Children with greater exposure to institutional care had significantly shorter relative Telomere Length in middle childhood. Gender modified this main effect. The percentage of time in institutional care at baseline significantly predicted Telomere Length in females, whereas the percentage of institutional care at 54 months was strongly predictive of Telomere Length in males. This is the first study to demonstrate an association between Telomere Length and institutionalization, the first study to find an association between adversity and Telomere Length in children, and contributes to the growing literature linking Telomere Length and early adversity.
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Telomere Length cigarette smoking and bladder cancer risk in men and women
Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention, 2007Co-Authors: Monica Mcgrath, Dominique S Michaud, David J Hunter, Jason Y.y. Wong, Immaculata De VivoAbstract:Truncated Telomeres are among the defining characteristics of most carcinomas. Given the role of Telomeres in tumorigenesis, we reasoned that constitutionally short Telomeres might be associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer. Using quantitative real-time PCR, we measured relative Telomere Length in bladder cancer cases and healthy controls and evaluated the association between Telomere Length, cigarette smoking, and bladder cancer risk in a case-control study nested within the Health Professionals Follow-up Study and a case-control study nested within the Nurses' Health Study. Telomeres were significantly shorter in bladder cancer cases ( n = 184) than in controls ( n = 192). The mean relative Telomere Length in cases was 0.23 (SD, 0.16) versus 0.27 (SD, 0.15) in controls ( P = 0.001). The adjusted odds ratio for bladder cancer was 1.88 (95% confidence interval, 1.05, 3.36) for individuals in the quartile with the shortest Telomeres as compared with individuals in the quartile with the longest Telomeres ( P trend = 0.006). We observed a statistically significant difference in Telomere Length among men and women ( P < 0.001); however, the interaction between gender, Telomere Length, and bladder cancer risk was not significant. We also observed a significant difference in Telomere Length across categories of pack-years of smoking ( P = 0.01). These findings suggest that truncated Telomeres are associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2007;16(4):815–9)
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Telomere Length cigarette smoking and bladder cancer risk in men and women
Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention, 2007Co-Authors: Monica Mcgrath, Dominique S Michaud, David J Hunter, Jason Y.y. Wong, Immaculata De VivoAbstract:Truncated Telomeres are among the defining characteristics of most carcinomas. Given the role of Telomeres in tumorigenesis, we reasoned that constitutionally short Telomeres might be associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer. Using quantitative real-time PCR, we measured relative Telomere Length in bladder cancer cases and healthy controls and evaluated the association between Telomere Length, cigarette smoking, and bladder cancer risk in a case-control study nested within the Health Professionals Follow-up Study and a case-control study nested within the Nurses' Health Study. Telomeres were significantly shorter in bladder cancer cases (n = 184) than in controls (n = 192). The mean relative Telomere Length in cases was 0.23 (SD, 0.16) versus 0.27 (SD, 0.15) in controls (P = 0.001). The adjusted odds ratio for bladder cancer was 1.88 (95% confidence interval, 1.05, 3.36) for individuals in the quartile with the shortest Telomeres as compared with individuals in the quartile with the longest Telomeres (P(trend) = 0.006). We observed a statistically significant difference in Telomere Length among men and women (P < 0.001); however, the interaction between gender, Telomere Length, and bladder cancer risk was not significant. We also observed a significant difference in Telomere Length across categories of pack-years of smoking (P = 0.01). These findings suggest that truncated Telomeres are associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer.
Monica Mcgrath - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Telomere Length cigarette smoking and bladder cancer risk in men and women
Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention, 2007Co-Authors: Monica Mcgrath, Dominique S Michaud, David J Hunter, Jason Y.y. Wong, Immaculata De VivoAbstract:Truncated Telomeres are among the defining characteristics of most carcinomas. Given the role of Telomeres in tumorigenesis, we reasoned that constitutionally short Telomeres might be associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer. Using quantitative real-time PCR, we measured relative Telomere Length in bladder cancer cases and healthy controls and evaluated the association between Telomere Length, cigarette smoking, and bladder cancer risk in a case-control study nested within the Health Professionals Follow-up Study and a case-control study nested within the Nurses' Health Study. Telomeres were significantly shorter in bladder cancer cases ( n = 184) than in controls ( n = 192). The mean relative Telomere Length in cases was 0.23 (SD, 0.16) versus 0.27 (SD, 0.15) in controls ( P = 0.001). The adjusted odds ratio for bladder cancer was 1.88 (95% confidence interval, 1.05, 3.36) for individuals in the quartile with the shortest Telomeres as compared with individuals in the quartile with the longest Telomeres ( P trend = 0.006). We observed a statistically significant difference in Telomere Length among men and women ( P < 0.001); however, the interaction between gender, Telomere Length, and bladder cancer risk was not significant. We also observed a significant difference in Telomere Length across categories of pack-years of smoking ( P = 0.01). These findings suggest that truncated Telomeres are associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2007;16(4):815–9)
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Telomere Length cigarette smoking and bladder cancer risk in men and women
Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention, 2007Co-Authors: Monica Mcgrath, Dominique S Michaud, David J Hunter, Jason Y.y. Wong, Immaculata De VivoAbstract:Truncated Telomeres are among the defining characteristics of most carcinomas. Given the role of Telomeres in tumorigenesis, we reasoned that constitutionally short Telomeres might be associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer. Using quantitative real-time PCR, we measured relative Telomere Length in bladder cancer cases and healthy controls and evaluated the association between Telomere Length, cigarette smoking, and bladder cancer risk in a case-control study nested within the Health Professionals Follow-up Study and a case-control study nested within the Nurses' Health Study. Telomeres were significantly shorter in bladder cancer cases (n = 184) than in controls (n = 192). The mean relative Telomere Length in cases was 0.23 (SD, 0.16) versus 0.27 (SD, 0.15) in controls (P = 0.001). The adjusted odds ratio for bladder cancer was 1.88 (95% confidence interval, 1.05, 3.36) for individuals in the quartile with the shortest Telomeres as compared with individuals in the quartile with the longest Telomeres (P(trend) = 0.006). We observed a statistically significant difference in Telomere Length among men and women (P < 0.001); however, the interaction between gender, Telomere Length, and bladder cancer risk was not significant. We also observed a significant difference in Telomere Length across categories of pack-years of smoking (P = 0.01). These findings suggest that truncated Telomeres are associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer.
