Comparison of telomere length between population-specific mitochondrial haplogroups among different age groups in a Latvian population

•We checked the hypothesis: if mitochondrial haplogroup (hgs) can influence longevity.•There was no disparity among hgs. Hg H was slightly more rich among centenarians.•We analyzed telomere length (TL) for hgs H, U, T, J, V and W in three age groups.•There was no significant difference of TL among hgs.

Population studies have demonstrated that telomere length (TL) displays great diversity among different populations. Previously described controversial findings associated longevity with specific mitochondrial DNA haplogroups (hgs) (e.g., J and U). These observations may be influenced by population diversity, geographic location, and/or specific historic background. The aims of this study were to identify a specific hg which correlates with aging in a Latvian populating and to evaluate the possible association of TL variability with specific mitochondrial hgs. The results show no significant correlation between TL, mitochondrial DNA hgs and longevity. A slight increase in frequency was observed among centenarians of hg H; however, these findings were not statistically significant. TL did not show any statically significant difference, only hg W had slightly longer telomeres among others. An insignificant increase in TL was observed in the 55–89 age group of hg W but in the <90 age group for hg J which also had the longest TL in the 20–45 age group. In conclusion this study indicates that specific mitochondrial DNA hgs do not have a significant, if any, influence on the variation of TL in Latvians.