# Telomere Length Dynamics in Relation to Changes in Adiposity and Metabolic Risk

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HLTH SCI CTR HOUSTON · 2020 · $486,738

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
 Telomere length and telomerase activity have been posited as biomarkers for cellular aging, longevity, and
age-related conditions such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Their role in the pathophysiology
of chronic diseases, however, is still not well-defined, as they have been shown to also be influenced by
adiposity. Moreover, information on the role of genetics in telomere biology is scarce. The objectives of the
proposed study are to explore the phenotypic and genotypic relationship between body composition measures
(e.g., obesity) and telomere length and telomerase activity, and to investigate the role of telomere length and
telomerase activity on metabolic risk factors and disease in adults.
 Using a longitudinal study design, we propose to measure serial leukocyte telomere length (LTL) from
already existing stored (n=4,204) and newly collected (n=1,000) buffy coat samples in 1,794 Fels Longitudinal
Study participants ranging in age from 18-93 years. Fels Longitudinal Study participants have been repeatedly
measured over their entire lifetime for body composition and metabolic markers. Over time, more advanced
measures of body composition such as visceral and subcutaneous abdominal adiposity using MRI, and novel
blood chemistries such as inflammatory markers have been also been collected. Whole genome single
nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data are available on a large subset of these participants to search for genes
influencing telomere biology. This uniquely valuable cohort presents a readily available, cost-effective, and
powerful resource for understanding the relationship between telomere biology and cardiometabolic health.
 The specific aims of the proposed study are: 1) to examine longitudinal associations between adiposity
traits, telomere length, and metabolic risk in 1,794 adults, 2) to examine cross-sectional relationships between
newly collected telomerase activity, telomere length, adiposity traits, and metabolic risk factors in a subset
(N=1,000) of participants, and 3) to identify genetic variants influencing telomere length and telomerase activity
and to use Mendelian Randomization to examine causal associations among obesity, telomere biology and
metabolic risk in a subset (N=1,247) of study participants.
 The results of this proposed study will provide important information about how telomere biology is linked to
obesity, aging, and cardiometabolic disease risk. Further, this information will aid in the assessment of risk,
prevention and treatment of accelerated aging and chronic disease.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10007794
- **Project number:** 5R01DK111201-05
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HLTH SCI CTR HOUSTON
- **Principal Investigator:** JOANNE E. CURRAN
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $486,738
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2016-09-23 → 2023-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10007794

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10007794, Telomere Length Dynamics in Relation to Changes in Adiposity and Metabolic Risk (5R01DK111201-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10007794. Licensed CC0.

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