Smoking kills Y-chromosome in males
Scientists from the University of Uppsala (Sweden) found that cigarette smoking leads to the disappearance of the Y-chromosome in men, which may increase the likelihood of cancer and even reduce life expectancy.
The investigators compared the DNA in blood cells from six thousand men in search of factors influencing on the Y-chromosome. The results showed that its presence or absence depends on whether a person smokes and how old he is: in male smokers the probability of extinction of the chromosome was up to 4.3 times more than non-smokers.
Previously, the same team of scientists has found that the loss of the Y-chromosome is associated with a decrease in life expectancy and cancer. Fairly high probability that there exists a causal link, and that it was smoking triggers the development of cancer, but these suggestions require additional studies. Rather, Y-chromosome disappears in immune cells, which thereby lose the ability to fight cancer.
Scientists from the University of Uppsala (Sweden) found that cigarette smoking leads to the disappearance of the Y-chromosome in men, which may increase the likelihood of cancer and even reduce life expectancy.
The investigators compared the DNA in blood cells from six thousand men in search of factors influencing on the Y-chromosome. The results showed that its presence or absence depends on whether a person smokes and how old he is: in male smokers the probability of extinction of the chromosome was up to 4.3 times more than non-smokers.
Previously, the same team of scientists has found that the loss of the Y-chromosome is associated with a decrease in life expectancy and cancer. Fairly high probability that there exists a causal link, and that it was smoking triggers the development of cancer, but these suggestions require additional studies. Rather, Y-chromosome disappears in immune cells, which thereby lose the ability to fight cancer.
