Shortening of leukocyte telomeres is considered a molecular marker for ageing and is suggested to be linked with increased risk of cardiovascular and metabolic disease. A large population-based study with 6 years of follow-up by Révész and colleagues reveals that short telomeres, at both baseline and during follow-up, are associated with an increased risk of metabolic abnormalities.
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P.M.N. has received grant support the Swedish Research Council for a project on early vascular ageing.
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Nilsson, P. Telomere length and the metabolic syndrome—a causal link?. Nat Rev Endocrinol 10, 706–707 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrendo.2014.182
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrendo.2014.182