Study of Cellular Aging in a Cohort of Patients with Heart Failure

Introduction Cellular senescence and fibrosis are important phenomena in the development of heart failure (HF). These processes are closely related to telomeric length (TL). Aim To assess cellular senescence in HF through the study of TL in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Methods Using real-time PCR, TL was measured in PBMCs from 20 patients diagnosed with HF, aged between 51 and 77 years (50% males). Ten patients had HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and ten had preserved EF (HFpEF). TL was measured in 20 healthy controls matched by age and gender. Obtained values were compared with an internal control, the 36B4 gene, which never modifies its expression, and correlated with the clinical parameters. Results TL mean was 1327 in patients with HF (95% CI 1309–1344) compared to 1286 (95% CI 1264–1308) in controls (p = 0.005). No differences were found when studying the correlation of telomere size with subgroups by gender, left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF), presence of ischemic heart disease, smoking, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), NYHA stage, degree of renal function or number of hospital admissions in the previous year. A significant and negative correlation was found between age and renal function (r = – 0.544, p < 0.05), as well as LVEF and NT-proBNP values (ρ = – 0.475, p < 0.05). Conclusions TL is shorter in patients with HF when compared with age and gender balanced controls. The shortening of TL is independent of age, gender and degree of kidney function, and does not correlate with LVEF decrease or functional status.