Wang XB, et al. - In this two-stage case-control study, researchers assessed how coronary artery disease (CAD) risk and severity are impacted by leukocyte telomere length (TL) and mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNA-CN) alone or in combination. Overall 1,511 CAD patients and 1,553 controls were included. In a subset of 129 cases and 129 controls, quantification of oxidative parameters, including leukocyte 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), plasma malondialdehyde, and plasma reactive oxygen species (ROS), was carried out via ELISA or colorimetric kits. Findings revealed a significant association of each 1-SD decrease in TL and mtDNA-CN, with a 1.17-fold and a 1.14-fold increased risk of CAD, respectively, in the combined cohort. This was noted once the confounders were adjusted. Overall, attenuations in both TL and mtDNA-CN independently conferred risk for CAD. A possible combined contribution of TL together with mtDNA-CN, to CAD risk, CAD severity, and oxidative stress was suggested.