Reference values and biological factors influencing skin autofluorescence

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Science
• Aging Research
• Public Health

Background:

• Tissue glycation, indicated by skin autofluorescence (SAF), is associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D), cardiovascular disease (CVD), and mortality.
• Validated reference intervals for SAF in healthy populations are essential for accurate risk stratification.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish robust reference values for SAF in a healthy population of Western European descent.
• To evaluate SAF levels in relation to smoking status, T2D, CVD, impaired renal function, and physical activity.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from 82,870 participants in the Lifelines Cohort Study.
• Established decade-specific SAF reference values in 16,109 healthy individuals (never-smokers, BMI < 35 kg/m², no metabolic syndrome).
• Analyzed associations between SAF and smoking history, T2D, CVD, renal function, and physical activity levels.

Main Results:

• Developed prediction models for SAF based on age and sex in healthy individuals.
• Observed significantly higher SAF scores in current and former smokers, individuals with T2D, CVD, and impaired renal function compared to healthy controls.
• Identified a complex, non-linear relationship between physical activity and SAF, with highest scores in sedentary individuals and those with very high activity levels.

Conclusions:

• Provided validated, sex-specific SAF reference values for healthy individuals of Western European descent.
• Confirmed elevated SAF levels in individuals with T2D, CVD, renal impairment, and smoking history.
• Highlighted a complex association between physical activity and SAF, necessitating further investigation.