Short-term effects of air temperature and mitochondrial DNA lesions within an older population.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Previous studies have linked both extreme and sub-optimal air temperature to cardiopulmonary morbidity and mortality, especially in older individuals. However, the underlying mechanisms are yet to be determined.

Objectives

We hypothesized that short-term increases in air temperature may induce blood mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) lesions in older individuals, which could contribute to temperature-related pathogenesis.

Methods

We repeatedly measured mtDNA lesions in blood samples from 654 participants in the Normative Aging Study from 1999 to 2013 (1142 observations) by quantitative long-amplicon polymerase chain reaction assay. Hourly temperature data were obtained from the Boston Logan Airport weather station (located approximately 12km from the clinical site).

SUBMITTER: Peng C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5849241 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature