Investigation of the Characteristics of Telomere Length in Koreans and Its Association With Chronic Metabolic Disorders: A Comprehensive Study

Telomeres are repetitive DNA sequences located at the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes, forming protective caps that prevent chromosomal degradation and inappropriate repair during cell division. Telomere shortening has been linked to ageing and various age-related diseases. In this study, we validated the reference range for telomere length established through the analysis of 1011 Korean individuals to confirm its robustness. Telomere length showed a declining trend with increasing age, with no statistically significant differences observed between sexes. Diabetic and dyslipidaemic groups had shorter telomeres than the control group. These findings suggest that telomere length may be a biomarker of biological ageing and could be linked to metabolic conditions. Future research could build upon these observations to explore telomere dynamics in broader populations and investigate their clinical relevance across diverse health outcomes. Furthermore, longitudinal studies are needed to determine whether telomere shortening is a cause or consequence of these metabolic conditions. Additionally, incorporating advanced methodologies, such as next-generation sequencing, could enhance our understanding of telomere biology and improve the accuracy of telomere-based measurements in both research and clinical settings.