Recent research published in Science.org has underscored the significant effects of early-life tobacco exposure on biological aging, urging comprehensive measures to minimize tobacco exposure. This pivotal study, derived from extensive data within the UK Biobank, illuminates the profound implications of tobacco exposure from fetal stages through early childhood on the rate of biological aging later in life.
The researchers employed a variety of aging biomarkers, including telomere length and validated biological age algorithms, to analyze the data of 276,259 participants. Their findings reveal that both in-utero exposure and early initiation of smoking are robustly linked with accelerated aging. Specifically, individuals exposed to tobacco in utero or who began smoking at a young age displayed significant increases in biological age markers compared to those not exposed.
Moreover, the study delved into the combined effects of genetic susceptibility and tobacco exposure. It was found that participants with high polygenic risk scores alongside early tobacco exposure showed the greatest acceleration in aging, which highlights the intricate interplay between genetics and environmental factors in biological aging processes.
These insights stress the urgency of reducing tobacco exposure during critical early-life periods to promote healthier aging trajectories and reduce the burden of age-related diseases. This research not only contributes to our understanding of the biological impact of early tobacco exposure but also reinforces the need for public health policies aimed at early prevention.
Journal Reference:
Cui, F., Tang, L., Li, D., Ma, Y., Wang, J., Xie, J., Su, B., Tian, Y., Zheng, X. (2024). Early-life exposure to tobacco, genetic susceptibility, and accelerated biological aging in adulthood. Science Advances, DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adl3747. Available at: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adl3747
