Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 18, 2026
04:36
An Assay to Detect Protection of the Retinal Vasculature from Diabetes-Related Death in Mice
Published on: January 12, 2024
Associations of Multiomics Biological Aging With Diabetic Retinopathy and Life Expectancy
Jun Yu1,2, Yue Lan Gao1, Yuzhou Zhang1
1Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science
|June 17, 2026
Summary
Advanced biological aging, measured by metabolomics and proteomics, increases diabetic retinopathy (DR) risk and reduces life expectancy in individuals with DR, independent of diabetes control.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Science
- Aging Research
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a major complication of diabetes, leading to vision loss.
- Biological aging, assessed through omics data, may influence DR development and prognosis.
- Understanding the link between biological aging and DR is crucial for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between omics-based biological aging and the risk of diabetic retinopathy (DR).
- To examine the relationship between biological aging and life expectancy in individuals with DR.
Main Methods:
- Utilized UK Biobank data from 68,672 participants (metabolomic cohort) and 8,716 (proteomic cohort) with diabetes or prediabetes.
- Estimated biological age using metabolomic aging score and proteomic age (ProtAgeGap).
- Assessed DR risk using logistic and Cox regression; life expectancy via survival curves.
Main Results:
- Higher metabolomic aging score and ProtAgeGap correlated with increased prevalent DR risk.
- Advanced biological aging independently increased incident DR risk (HRs: 1.73 and 1.12, respectively).
- Individuals with DR had reduced life expectancy; advanced metabolomic aging further decreased it.
Conclusions:
- Omics-based biological aging is significantly associated with higher diabetic retinopathy risk.
- Advanced metabolomic aging is linked to reduced life expectancy among DR patients.
- These associations are independent of and additive to glycemic control and diabetes duration.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Diabetic Retinopathy
DefinitionDiabetic retinopathy is a microvascular complication of diabetes affecting the retinal blood vessels.Risk FactorsDiabetic retinopathy is present in almost all individuals with type 1 diabetes and more than 60% of those with type 2 diabetes after two decades of disease.The risk increases with poor glycemic control, hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking, pregnancy, and puberty.Although cataracts and glaucoma are also more frequent in people with diabetes, retinopathy remains the leading...
01:28Diabetic Nephropathy
Definition Diabetic nephropathy is a chronic kidney complication that results from prolonged hyperglycemia.Prevalence It is the most common cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) worldwide, affecting up to half of individuals with diabetes.Pathophysiology • Sustained hyperglycemia triggers multiple hemodynamic and metabolic changes in the kidney. • Early in the disease, increased renal blood flow and glomerular hyperfiltration occur due to afferent arteriolar...
01:19The Effect of Aging on Tissues
Several body functions deteriorate with age. The external signs of aging are easily identifiable. For example, the skin becomes dry, less elastic, and thins out, forming wrinkles. The skin of the face begins to appear looser due to a decrease in the levels of elastic and collagen fibers in the connective tissue. Additionally, melanin production in the hair follicle decreases with age, resulting in gray hair. Moreover, the senses of sight and hearing decline, so glasses and hearing aids may...
01:26Aging
Aging is a complex biological phenomenon influenced by various processes that affect cellular and systemic functions. Several prominent theories attempt to explain its mechanisms, highlighting cellular limitations, oxidative damage, and hormonal changes as central factors in aging.
Cellular Clock Theory
The cellular clock theory posits that the human lifespan is closely tied to the finite capacity of cells to divide, a phenomenon governed by telomeres, which are protective caps at the ends of...
Cellular Clock Theory
The cellular clock theory posits that the human lifespan is closely tied to the finite capacity of cells to divide, a phenomenon governed by telomeres, which are protective caps at the ends of...
01:24Type II Diabetes II: Pathophysiology
PathophysiologyType 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM ) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by insulin resistance and progressive pancreatic β-cell dysfunction, leading to impaired glucose homeostasis. It results from interactions among genetic predisposition, environmental factors, and metabolic stressors, such as overnutrition and a sedentary lifestyle.Insulin Resistance and Glucose DysregulationEarly T2DM involves insulin resistance in skeletal muscle, adipose tissue, and the liver.
01:19Psychoneuroimmunology: Diabetes and Cancer
Chronic stress has been linked to both the onset and progression of serious health conditions, including Type 2 diabetes and cancer. Type 2 diabetes, a widespread chronic illness, is closely associated with obesity and insulin resistance, both of which often worsen under stress. Studies indicate that men experiencing high levels of chronic stress face a 45% higher risk of developing diabetes compared to those with minimal stress. Stress triggers physiological responses that elevate blood...