The number of telomeres lost during each cell division varies from person to person. Previous studies have shown that increased oxidative stress and chronic inflammation are associated with accelerated telomere shortening, but the mechanism underlying the association of telomere length shortening with these risk factors remains hypothetical.

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship of telomere length with indicators of oxidative stress and heart rate variability in patients with cerebral atherosclerosis at different stages, including those who have suffered an ischemic atherothrombotic stroke, as well as to identify the influence of the above factors on the prognosis of telomere length shortening in this category of patients.

Material and methods.

84 patients with cerebral atherosclerosis (CA) of the 1st-3rd degree and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) participated in a comprehensive clinical and instrumental study. All patients underwent conventional clinical, laboratory and instrumental examination (electrocardiography (ECG), MRI of the brain).

Results.

The patients were divided into 2 groups depending on the relative length of the telomeres. The median relative telomere length was 2,848. The proportion of men was 21.2% in the 1st and 52.0% in the 2nd groups. To identify the relationship of the indicators, the method of constructing logistic regression models was used. A statistically significant positive relationship was established between the risk of telomere shortening and the index of autonomic regulation of heart rhythm (LF/HF) and the concentration of thiobarbituroreactive substances (TBARs).

Conclusions.

Changes in HRV and TBARs in patients with CA and DM are associated with telomere length, a marker of cellular aging. Telomere length can become an early marker of weakening of the autonomous regulation of cardiac activity and reflect the true biological age of the ANS.

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