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01-12-2020 | Nutrition | Research article

Association between micronutrients and maternal leukocyte telomere length in early pregnancy in Rwanda

Authors: Etienne Nsereko, Aline Uwase, Claude Mambo Muvunyi, Stephen Rulisa, David Ntirushwa, Patricia Moreland, Elizabeth J. Corwin, Nicole Santos, Jue Lin, Jyu-Lin Chen, Manasse Nzayirambaho, Janet M. Wojcicki

Published in: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth | Issue 1/2020

Abstract

Background

Exposure to environmental stressors can lead to shorter leukocyte telomere length and increase the risk of chronic diseases. Preservation of leukocyte telomere length by reducing oxidative stress exposure and reinforcing immunity may be a mechanism by which nutritional factors delay or prevent chronic disease development.

Methods

Healthy pregnant women (aged 18–45 years) at 9–15 weeks of gestation living in Gasabo District, Kigali, Rwanda, were recruited from 10 health centers for a prospective, longitudinal study from September to October 2017 to determine possible associations between nutrition health, infectious disease and leukocyte telomere length. Anthropometric and laboratory measurements were performed using standard procedures; sociodemographic parameters and health histories were assessed via surveys, and leukocyte telomere length was assessed using quantitative PCR expressed as the ratio of a telomeric product to a single-copy gene product (T/S).

Results

Mean gestational age of participants (n = 297) at enrollment was 13.04 ± 3.50 weeks, age was 28.16 ± 6.10 years and leukocyte telomere length was 1.16 ± 0.22 (T/S). Younger age; no schooling vs. primary schooling; and lower levels of ferritin, soluble transferrin receptors and retinol-binding protein were independent predictors of longer telomere length in multivariable models.

Conclusions

Leukocyte telomere length is an indicator of biological aging in pregnant Rwandan women. Maternal micronutrient status, specifically lower ferritin, soluble transferrin receptor levels, and retinol-binding protein levels were associated with longer maternal telomere length in contrast with some studies from North America and Europe. There were no associations between inflammation and infectious disease status and maternal leukocyte telomere length. Further studies are needed to enhance our understanding of the interplay between maternal nutritional status and infectious disease in relation to leukocyte telomere length in developing countries.

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Title: Association between micronutrients and maternal leukocyte telomere length in early pregnancy in Rwanda
Authors: Etienne Nsereko
Aline Uwase
Claude Mambo Muvunyi
Stephen Rulisa
David Ntirushwa
Patricia Moreland
Elizabeth J. Corwin
Nicole Santos
Jue Lin
Jyu-Lin Chen
Manasse Nzayirambaho
Janet M. Wojcicki
Publication date: 01-12-2020
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keyword: Nutrition
Published in: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth / Issue 1/2020
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2393
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-020-03330-y

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Association between micronutrients and maternal leukocyte telomere length in early pregnancy in Rwanda

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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