Researchers identified a link between smoking and the loss of the Y chromosome in red blood cells for the first time.
Research suggests male smokers have a higher risk of developing cancers outside of the respiratory system than females, this may be due to the genetic damage identified in the study, Uppsala University reported.
"We have previously in 2014 demonstrated an association between loss of the Y chromosome in blood and greater risk for cancer. We now tested if there were any lifestyle- or clinical factors that could be linked to loss of the Y chromosome. Out of a large number of factors that were studied, such as age, blood pressure, diabetes, alcohol intake and smoking, we found that loss of the Y chromosome in a fraction of the blood cells was more common in smokers than in non-smokers," said Lars Forsberg, researcher at the Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology at Uppsala University.
The correlation between smoking and the loss of the Y chromosome was stronger in heavy smokers compared to moderate smokers, men who had previously smoked but had quit were found to have the same frequency of Y chromosome loss as those who had never smoked.
"These results indicate that smoking can cause loss of the Y chromosome and that this process might be reversible. We found that the frequency of cells with loss of the Y chromosome was not different among ex-smokers compared to men who had never smoked. This discovery could be very persuasive for motivating smokers to quit," Forsberg said.
Loss of the Y chromosome has been associated with the development of cancer because it weakens the immune system against the invasion.
"In summary, we have shown that there is a correlation between a common and avoidable risk factor, that is smoking, and the most common human mutation, loss of the Y chromosome. This finding may in part explain why men in general have a shorter life span than women, and why smoking is more dangerous for men," said Jan Dumanski, a professor at the same department of Uppsala University who has had a leading role in the study.
