Expression of hTERT and Lp-PLA(2) genes is increased in primary hypothyroidism.

Abstract

Objective: Sightly low serum free T4 levels are associated with longer life expectancy. However, hypothyroidism is associated with increased risk of inflammation and vascular complications. Therefore, relation of thyroid hormones (THs) with life expectancy seems to be complex. This study was carried out in an effort to understand the contribution of THs in inflammation and aging. Methodology: 15 cases of treatment naïve primary hypothyroidism and 15 age and sex matched euthyroid controls were recruited. mRNA expression of Telomerase (hTERT), leucocyte telomere length (LTL) and Lipoprotein associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2), a marker of vascular inflammation and risk predictor of cardiovascular events were measured by qPCR in whole blood. Result: Expression of hTERT was found to be 6.95 times higher in the cases as compared to the controls. mRNA expression of Lp-PLA(2) was also 3.3 times higher in cases. LTL in euthyroid was approximately 81% of the length in hypothyroid patients. Conclusion: A higher expression of hTERT indicates that hypothyroidism confers better cell survival in peripheral leucocytes inspite of the presence of vascular inflammation. However causal relationship cannot be ascertained with these results.

Keywords

• Hypothyroidism
• hTERT
• Lp-PLA(2)
• Inflammation
• Longevity
• Telomere length