Telomere Length and Mitochondrial DNA Copy Number Variations in Patients with Obesity: Effect of Diet-Induced Weight Loss—A Pilot Study

Abstract

Background: Telomere length (TL) and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number shifts are linked to metabolic abnormalities, and possible modifications by diet-induced weight loss are poorly explored. We investigated the variations before (T0) and after a 1-year (T12) lifestyle intervention (diet + physical activity) in a group of outpatients with obesity. Methods: Patients aged 25–70 years with BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 were enrolled. Clinical and biochemical assessments (including a blood sample for TL, mtDNA copy number and total antioxidant capacity, and TAC determinations) were performed at T0 and T12. Results: The change in TL and the mtDNA copy number was heterogeneous and not significantly different at T12. Patients were then divided by baseline TL values into lower than median TL (L-TL) and higher than median TL (H-TL) groups. The two groups did not differ at baseline for anthropometric, clinical, and laboratory characteristics. At T12, the L-TL group when compared to H-TL showed TL elongation (respectively, +0.57 ± 1.23 vs. −2.15 ± 1.13 kbp, p = 0.04), higher mtDNA copy number (+111.5 ± 478.5 vs. −2314.8 ± 724.2, respectively, p < 0.001), greater weight loss (−8.1 ± 2.7 vs. −6.1 ± 4.6 Kg, respectively, p = 0.03), fat mass reduction (−1.42 ± 1.3 vs. −1.22 ± 1.5%, respectively, p = 0.04), and increased fat-free mass (+57.8 ± 6.5 vs. +54.9 ± 5.3%, respectively, p = 0.04) and TAC levels (+58.5 ± 18.6 vs. +36.4 ± 24.1 µM/L, respectively, p = 0.04). Conclusions: TL and the mtDNA copy number significantly increased in patients with obesity and with lower baseline TL values after a 1-year lifestyle intervention. Larger longitudinal studies are needed to confirm the results of this pilot study.