Proteína S-Klotho como biomarcador del proceso de envejecimiento: validación analítica y efecto del ejercicio físico sobre sus niveles circulantes en adultos jóvenes sanos

  1. Espuch Oliver, Andrea
Supervised by:
  1. Tomás de Haro Muñoz Co-director
  2. F. José Amaro Co-director

Defence university: Universidad de Granada

Fecha de defensa: 24 May 2024

Type: Thesis

Abstract

BACKGROUND The Klotho protein is a powerful predictor of the aging process and lifespan. Aging process is related with lowered circulating S-Klotho in non-healthy individuals, but no specific reference values across wide range ages are available for larger cohorts of healthy individuals by age and sex. Moreover, it still remains unknown whether exercise may improve S-Klotho levels in young adults and if this hypothetical enhancement depends on exercise intensity. OBJETIVE AND HYPOTHESIS The general objective of the Doctoral Thesis is to establish reference values for serum S-Klotho levels in healthy adults aged 18 to 85 years (Study I) and to investigate the effects of a 24-week supervised exercise program on S-Klotho levels in young adults (Study II). We hypothesize that S-Klotho levels would be affected by age and sex in healthy individuals from southern Spain (Study I) and that a 24-week supervised physical exercise program can optimize S-Klotho levels in young adults (Study II). MATERIAL AND METHODS Study I: In this analytical cross-sectional study, we included a total of 346 healthy volunteers (143 men) aged 18 to 85 years. Samples were processed according to a standard protocol, and S-Klotho levels were determined by an ELISA assay. Study II: A total of 144 young adults (~66% women), aged 18 to 25y, participated in this randomized controlled trial with 3 arms (duration 24 weeks): (i) concurrent training program at vigorous intensity, (ii) concurrent training program at moderate intensity, and (iii) a control group. Blood samples were taken before and after the intervention and S-Klotho properly determined. RESULTS Study I: Senior adults were the age-group that presented the lowest S-Klotho levels (p< 0.01), with age showing a negative association with S-Klotho levels (p< 0.001). No differences between sexes were observed. Study II: No significant differences across time were noted in S-Klotho plasma levels (p=0.497). There was no time*group interaction in S-Klotho (p>0.7). CONCLUSION In summary, the main findings of the Doctoral Thesis are that S-Klotho levels are especially decreased in elderly adults compared with their younger counterpartsregardless of sex-, and that a 24-week supervised concurrent exercise training does not induce significant changes on S-Klotho -independently of the exercise intensity- in young adults