Leukocyte telomere length in subjects with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease

Background and study aims

This study aimed to examine the association between peripheral leukocyte telomere length and indicators of metabolic abnormalities in subjects with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Patients and methods

This cross-sectional study included adults over 20 years with body mass index (BMI) of over >25 kg/m² and sonographic evidence of hepatic steatosis. The subjects were evaluated by clinical and biochemical variables, determination of hepatic fat fraction by MRI and relative peripheral leukocyte telomere length by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Results

Thirty-two subjects (22 men and 10 women) with MASLD were included, with a median age of 40 years, median BMI of 33.75 kg/m², median HFF 19 %, and median relative T/S ratio of 0.64. Subjects with relative T/S ratio below the median had significantly higher age, lower BMI, higher AST serum levels, higher GGT serum levels, lower serum ferritin levels, and higher FIB4 score. In a multivariable logistic regression model considering relative T/S ratio below or above the median only age was significantly associated with relative T/S ratio. Our findings suggest that age is the most important factor associated with telomere length among subjects with MASLD.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that age is the most important factor associated with telomere length among subjects with MASLD.