Association of oxidative stress, telomere length, and frailty in an elder population

Background u0026 objectives: A global aging population requires to focus on the risk factors for unhealthy aging, preventive medicine, and chronic disease management. The identification of adverse health outcomes in the elderly has been addressed by the characterization of frailty as a biological syndrome. On the other hand, oxidative stress and telomere shortening have been suggested as biological biomarkers of aging. Here we evaluated the association between oxidative stress, telomere length, and frailty in an elderly population of Mexico City.Aim of the study: To determine the association between oxidative stress (measured by reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation), telomere length, and frailty in a Mexican elder population.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study based on 2015 data from the Cohort of Obesity, Sarcopenia, and Frailty of Older Mexican Adults. Frailty was determined using the criteria proposed by Fried. ROS was measured by dichlorofluorescein diacetate and lipid peroxidation by malondialdehyde. Telomere length was determined using qPCR with SYBR Green Master Mix.Results: We found no effect of oxidative stress on telomere length or frailty, but an association between telomere shortage and frailty.Interpretation u0026 conclusion: Oxidative stress, measured only as ROS and lipid peroxidation, seems to reach a homeostatic level in our elderly population, which has no effect on telomere length or frailty status. On the other hand, telomere shortage is associated with frailty, an accurate identifier of health outcome. Hence, it would seem that telomere length could eventually be used as a marker for healthy/unhealthy aging.