Effect of weight maintenance or gain in a 10 years period over telomere length, sirtuin 1 and 6 expression and carotid intima media thickness.

BACKGROUND Lack of weight gain throughout adult life could mimic the beneficial effects of energy restriction in humans. The present study aimed to assess the effects of weight stability or gain, over a period of 10 years, on telomere length, sirtuin 1 and 6 expression, and carotid intima media thickness. METHODS We studied 148 healthy adults (age range 20-59 years; 101 females) who had an objective record of their weight 10 years before. They were classified as weight losers, weight maintainers, weight gainers and extreme weight gainers. A fasting blood sample was obtained for routine laboratory and isolation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells, to extract DNA and RNA, and to measure telomere length and sirtuin 1 and 6 expression, respectively. Carotid intima media thickness was measured by ultrasound. Body composition was measured by Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS In the 10-year period, 24 participants lost weight (17 females), 65 maintained weight (41 females), 25 gained weight (15 females) and 34 were extreme weight gainers (28 females). Female weight gainers had a higher body mass index, waist circumference, total body fat and homeostatic model assessment insulin resistance. Male weight gainers had a higher hip circumference and total body fat. No differences in telomere length, sirtuin 1 expression and carotid intima media thickness were observed between weight gainers and maintainers. CONCLUSIONS No effect of weight maintenance or gain was observed on metabolic and vascular markers of ageing.