Ukr.Biochem.J. 2026; Volume 98, Issue 3, May-Jun, pp. 76-82

doi: https://doi.org/10.15407/ubj98.03.076

Leukocyte telomere length and clinical characteristics in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with and without chronic kidney disease

18.06.2026   Uncategorized

Y. E. Rebrova1,2,3*, Y. A. Saienko1,2, K. K. Midlovets1, B. M. Mankovsky1,3

1SI “D.F. Chebotarev Institute of Gerontology, National Academy
of Medical Sciences of Ukraine”, Kyiv;
2SI “Center for Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery of the Ministry
f Health of Ukraine”, Kyiv;
3P.L. Shupyk National University of Health Care of Ukraine, Kyiv;
*e-mail: yaninarebr@gmail.com

Received: 05 January 2026; Revised: 19 March 2026;
Accepted: 29 May 2026; Available on-line: 18 June 2026

Background. Telomeric mechanisms are considered important contributors to chronic kidney disease progression in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, although data on telomere length in diabetic kidney disease remain limited. Objective. To evaluate the relationship between telomere length and clinical characteristics in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with and without chronic kidney disease. Methods. The study included 100 patients with T2DM, divided into two groups: 50 with and 50 without CKD. Routine clinical and biochemical blood tests were performed for all subjects. Leukocyte telomere length was assessed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction following the method described by Cawthon. Results. T2DM patients with CKD were significantly older, had a longer duration of diabetes, exhibited significantly lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), higher urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio and frequency of cardiovascular complications compared with non-CKD patients. No significant correlations were found between telomere length and age, eGFR, albuminuria, or cardiovascular desease in either group. In patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus chronic kidney disease was associated with higher frequency of pathologically short telomeres (20.8%) versus non-CKD patients (2.1%), suggesting accelerated cellular aging in CKD independent of chronological age. Conclusions. Shortened telomeres in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease may reflect accelerated cellular aging and could serve as an additional marker for biological risk stratification beyond traditional renal indicators.
Keywords: telomeres, type 2 diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, cellular aging.

Keywords: , , ,

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