Impact Of Telomere Length Alteration In Chronic Kidney Disease Patients Of Pakistan: A Case-Control Study And Meta-Analysis Of 24,089 Patients
Our bodies have tiny protective caps on the ends of our chromosomes, called telomeres, which are like the plastic tips on shoelaces. They safeguard our genetic information, but they naturally shorten each time our cells divide. This shortening is a normal part of aging, but accelerated shortening is linked to various age-related diseases, including chronic kidney disease (CKD). This research explored the connection between the length of these telomeres in white blood cells and CKD. The findings indicate that people with CKD tend to have significantly shorter telomeres. This shortening was also associated with a decline in kidney function and an increase in waste products in the blood. Importantly, this link remained even after considering other factors like age, gender, diabetes, and high blood pressure. This suggests that telomere length could be a valuable indicator of biological aging and the overall impact of CKD on the body. Further studies are needed to fully understand if telomere shortening directly contributes to CKD progression and if it could be a target for new treatment strategies.
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