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Session: Nutritional Interventions and Metabolic Insights in Aging and Obesity (Poster Theater Flash Session 11)

(PTFS11-06-24) Association Between Serum Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Accelerated Aging Based on DNA-Methylation Biomarkers in a High-Risk Population

Monday, July 1, 2024
8:20 AM – 8:24 AM CT
Location:  W185A-C
Objectives: Several DNA-methylation (DNAm) biomarkers have been developed to quantify accelerated aging. Among them, the “GrimAge clock” is an excellent predictor. It is constructed as the composite of 7 DNAm-based markers for plasma proteins and smoking pack years. Adjusted for age is so-called “GrimAge Acceleration” (AgeAccelGrim). An accelerated epigenetic age occurs when an individual's DNAm age is older than their chronological age. Few studies have examined the influence of dietary factors on AgeAccelGrim. Our objective was to analyze the association between serum polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), mainly omega-3 PUFA, and AgeAccelGrim.

Methods: We analyzed 414 subjects at high-cardiovascular risk (aged 55-75) from a Mediterranean population. DNA-methylation in blood was assessed with the Infinium HumanMethylationEPIC (850 K) array (Illumina). After quality control AgeAccelGrim was estimated according to the algorithms proposed by Lu et al (2019). The protein surrogates included: cystatin C, leptin, tissue inhibitor metalloproteinases 1, adrenomedullin, beta-2-microglobulin, growth differentiation factor 15, and plasminogen activation inhibitor 1. Demographic, clinical, biochemical and lifestyle factors were assessed by validated methods including the 17-item Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) score. Serum total PUFA, omega-3 and omega-6 were determined on a metabolomics platform and expressed as percentages.

Results: In a basic multivariate model, total circulating PUFAs were not statistically associated with AgeAccelGrim (p=0.084). However, we observed a strong inverse association between serum omega-3 PUFA and AgeAccelGrim (p < 0.01). After adjustment for sex, age, BMI, diabetes, physical activity, education and smoking, a higher % of serum omega-3 was associated with decreased accelerated aging (B=-0.78; p=0.014). This association remained statistically significant even after additional adjustment for adherence to MedDiet (3 levels). This dietary pattern was also inversely associated with AgeAccelGrim in the same model.

Conclusions: Serum omega-3 levels were inversely associated with accelerating aging.

Funding Sources: ISCIII and MICINN-FEDER (PID2019-108858RB-I00-AEI 10.13039/501100011033); Proyectos Next Generation EU (PMP21/00106); Generalitat Valenciana-(PROMETEO/2021/021).