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Leukocyte Telomere Length and Vitamin D: A Systematic Review of Observational Research
Author(s)
Clínica Dávila, Santiago, Chile
Estefó Aroztegui, Magdalena
Clínica Dávila
Zúñiga, Valeria Andrea
Tecnológico de Monterrey
Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Mexico City, Mexico
González, Bárbara C.
Harvard University
Canto Campillo, Delza
Instituto Dermatológico y Cirugía de Piel "Dr. Huberto Bogaert Díaz"
Spencer de Vasconcellos, Leonardo
Lick Gonçalves, Shaiana
Faculdade São Leopoldo Mandic
Carmignani Verdade, Roberto
Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP)
Gómez-Jaramillo, Ana María
Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador
Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Centro de Investigación para la Salud en América Latina (CISeAL)
Rocha Vaughan, Renata
Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo
Ayala, Marcela
Harvard University
Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Mexico City, Mexico
Khalil, Sally
Hamad Medical Corporation
Alonso, Angie
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Njokanma, Azuka
Obafemi Awolowo University
Spencer de Vasconcellos, Leonardo
Harvard University
Polanco, Gustavo
Harvard University
Araya, Guisella
Clínica Alemana
Clínica Alemana, Santiago, Chile
Jaamour, Ghazal
Harvard University
Fernandes, Renato
Harvard University
de Souza Machado, Tiago
Faculdade São Leopoldo Mandic
Sarakool, Krittamuk
Chulalongkorn University
Maqbool, Moeez
Health Service Executive
Ireland, Health Service Executive
Shahid, Samreen
Aguilar, Thelma
Clínica Dávila
Clínica Dávila, Santiago, Chile
Rodriguez, Fabiana
Harvard University
Vieira Neves, Vinicius
Brown University
Date Issued
1 de enero de 2026
Type
Article
Volume
11
Issue
3
Series/Report No.
Principles and Practice of Clinical Research Journal
ISSN
2378-1890
Abstract
Introduction: Interest in biological markers of healthy aging has grown, particularly vitamin D (VD) and leukocyte telomere length (LTL). Telomeres shorten with age and are linked to chronic disease, while VD may influence this process through effects on inflammation and oxidative stress. Clarifying the VD–LTL relationship could inform their value as biomarkers of longevity. Methods: A PRISMA-guided systematic review of observational studies was conducted, searching PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Scopus in April 2025. Eligible studies enrolled adults and reported serum/plasma VD and LTL measured with validated techniques. Risk of bias was appraised using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. Results: From 521 records, 32 full texts were assessed, and 11 observational studies were included (10 cross-sectional, 1 cohort) spanning Europe, the Americas, and Asia (2007–2023). VD was measured via CLIA/RIA, ELISA, or LC-MS/MS; LTL predominantly by qPCR (one Southern blot). Findings were heterogeneous: 4 studies reported longer LTL with higher 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], 1 showed a U-shaped association (shorter LTL at very low and very high 25(OH)D), and 6 found no significant relationship. Positive signals appeared more often in female or middle-aged subgroups, but variability in exposure/outcome definitions and covariate adjustment limited comparability and precluded meta-analysis. Risk of bias was generally low-to-moderate (2 “very good,” 8 “good,” 1 “unsatisfactory” on NOS). Discussion: Findings varied across studies. While some studies reported positive associations between vitamin D levels and telomere length—particularly in female and middle-aged populations—the majority found no significant relationship, and one study reported a U-shaped association. Substantial methodological heterogeneity in study design, vitamin D measurement methods, and covariate adjustment limits the ability to draw definitive conclusions. Based on current evidence, vitamin D supplementation cannot be recommended solely for telomere preservation, though the observed associations in specific subgroups warrant further investigation through well-designed longitudinal and interventional studies.