High Hemoglobin Glycation Index Is Associated With Telomere Attrition Independent of HbA1c, Mediated by TNFα

Abstract

Context: The hemoglobin glycation index (HGI) is correlated with metabolic diseases and inflammation. Whether the HGI is associated with the aging process and how inflammation and oxidative stress affect the relationship remain unclear. Objective: We aimed to analyze links between the HGI and aging biomarkers, and to explore a potential role of inflammation and oxidative stress in the correlations. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 434 subjects with different glucose intolerances in a rural community was enrolled. The HGI was calculated as the difference between the measured and predicted hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). The population was categorized into tertiles of the HGI. Telomere length (LTL) and mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn) determined by polymerase chain reaction assay. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α and interleukin (IL) 6, 8-oxo-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-oxo-dG), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, and glutathione reductase (GR) were measured. Results: Participants in the high HGI group were older and reported a shorter LTL, higher levels of TNFα, SOD activities, and HbA1c. Correlation analyses demonstrated that HGI was correlated with LTL (r =-0.25, P