Estimating the survival advantage based on telomere length and serum biomarkers of aging

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to establish a model that estimates the survival advantage at the molecular level based on telomere length and serum biomarkers of aging, to explore clinical significance. METHODS: The study consisted of 100 healthy subjects and 40 type 2 diabetes mellitus patients, 20–90 years of age. Saliva telomere relative length (LnTL) was measured by the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and the serum biochemical parameters, including albumin (ALB), total proteins, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and some enzyme parameters were detected by a biochemical analyzer. The Z values were transformed from mean values and standard deviations to estimate the survival advantage. A normal reference range (95% confidence interval) was set to the comprehensive advantage of the Z values (Z(s)) to evaluate the comprehensive survival advantage. RESULTS: The Z values of serum ALB and saliva LnTL could be used to estimate the survival advantage, and effectively distinguish between the aging and nonaging individuals. The Z(s) was greater than 1.64 in the normal reference range, and type 2 diabetes mellitus patients had lower survival advantages compared to those of the control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our two-dimensional model system using ALB and LnTL was valid and may have potential applications for evaluating the aging status at the molecular level, and for the observation of disease characteristics.