Approved Research

Birth weight, leukocyte telomere length, and coronary artery disease

Lay summary

Numerous studies have shown that birth weight, a key indicator of congenital nutritional status, is inversely related to the risks of coronary artery disease (CAD). A recent Mendelian randomization study suggested that metabolic risk factors might mediate partial CAD risks associated with low birth weight, but most of the underlying mechanisms remain understood. Leukocyte telomere length, a cardiovascular aging biomarker, is also inversely associated with CAD risks. Some studies demonstrated that low birth weight may be associated with longer telomere length. However, an observational study, including over 2000 participants, suggested that there may be no correlation between birth weight and telomere length. Therefore, the association between birth weight and leukocyte telomere length remains undetermined, and it is uncertain whether leukocyte telomere length mediates the association between low birth weight and CAD. This study aims to investigate the role of leukocyte telomere length in the association of birth weight with coronary artery disease using a prospective cohort study. The project duration is 36 months. Our study will help clinicians understand the role of leukocyte telomere length in the association of birth weight with coronary artery disease.