The association between leukocyte telomere length and mitochondrial DNA copy number in pregnant XXXX : a pilot study.

@entity1 @entity101 @entity6 @entity2186 @entity1592 @entity1468 @entity2383
BACKGROUND: Both short telomere length and @entity2383 have been associated with pregnancy complications, such as @entity1468 and @entity1592 . However, the relationship between these two biomarkers of oxidative stress, during pregnancy, is unknown. This study investigated the association of leukocyte telomere length with mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number, an indicator of mitochondrial density and possible @entity2383 , using maternal blood samples collected from @entity1 with pregnancies uncomplicated by gestational @entity6 or @entity101 disorders. METHODS: Leukocyte telomere length and mtDNA copy number were determined in 75 pregnant @entity1 using quantitative real-time quantitative PCR. Bivariate and multivariable linear regression procedures were used to evaluate associations of these two biomarkers. RESULTS: Leukocyte mtDNA copy number (natural-logarithm) was positively associated with telomere length (Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.30, p-value = 0.009). After adjusting for maternal age and plasma @entity2186 , natural-log mtDNA copy number increased by 0.80 (f = 0.80; 95% CI 0.25 - 1.34, p-value = 0.005) for every 1 unit increase of telomere length. Approximately 11% of the variation in natural-long mtDNA copy number was explained by the model (adjusted R2 = 0.11). CONCLUSIONS: This cross sectional data suggests an association of mtDNA copy number with telomere length, two emergent biological markers of potential importance in perinatal health research. The consequences of oxidative stress, cellular senescence (as reflected by relatively shorter telomere length) and @entity2383 , on the course and outcomes of pregnancy remain to be elucidated in larger prospective studies that include these biological markers.
