There are several latest health hazards related to smoking. High possibilities of developing lung cancer, cardiac diseases and diabetes are among the well-known unintended effects of smoking. A latest study has revealed that smoking causes chromosomal damage and quickens aging. The chance of injury might be reduced by quitting the habit.

Within the study, researchers analyzed data from around 500,000 people from the U.K. Biobank and located that smoking shortens telomeres within the white blood cells, the length of which determines the speed of aging and talent to repair cells.

Telomeres are repetitive DNA sequences that act as protective caps on the chromosomal ends, much like how plastic recommendations on shoelaces prevent them from unraveling. With each cell replication, telomeres regularly shorten until they reach a length when cell division shouldn’t be possible, leading to tissue aging.

“Our study shows that smoking status and cigarette quantity can lead to the shortening of leucocyte telomere length, which is an indicator of tissue self-repair, regeneration and aging. In other words, smoking can speed up the means of aging, while quitting may considerably decrease the related risk,” Dr. Siyu Dai, who presented the study on the European Respiratory Society International Congress in Milan, Italy, said in a news release.

Previous studies have shown that smoking affects the length of telomeres in white blood cells but, they didn’t quantify the effect of cigarette smoking with the shortening of telomeres.

In the most recent study, researchers evaluated if the participants were current smokers, previous smokers, or had never smoked, the extent of their addiction to smoking, and the amount of cigarettes smoked. Using blood tests, in addition they measured the telomere lengths within the participants.

The study used Mendelian randomization, which uses the variations in inherited genes to grasp how modifiable environmental aspects may cause or affect a disease or health condition.

“We found that current smoking status was statistically significantly related to shorter leucocyte telomere length, whereas previous smokers and folks who had never smoked didn’t show significantly shorter leucocyte telomere length. Amongst individuals who used to smoke, there was a trend toward shorter telomere length, but this was not statistically significant. Individuals who smoked the greater variety of cigarettes had significantly shorter leucocyte telomere length. In summary, smoking may cause the shortening of leucocyte telomere length, and the more cigarettes smoked, the stronger the shortening effect,” Dr. Dai said.

Researchers hope the findings will prompt increased support and treatment options for people planning to quit the habit.

“As there are clear health advantages of smoking cessation, it’s time to include cessation support in addition to treatment into each day clinical management to assist us create a smoke-free environment for the following generation,” Dr. Dai added.

Published by Medicaldaily.com