Long-term exposure to third-hand smoke could accelerate biological aging via mitochondrial dysfunction: Evidence from population and animal studies.

Wenbo Jiang, Xin Liu, Qianqian Lei, Mengjie Xiao, Mengyao Li, Yifan Ma, Cong Hu, Xinmiao Kong, Leyao Qi, Huanyu Wu, Changhao Sun

Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Precision Nutrition and Health, Ministry of Education, Harbin Medical University, 157 Baojian Road, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China.Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Precision Nutrition and Health, Ministry of Education, Harbin Medical University, 157 Baojian Road, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China. · pubmed

Paper

Abstract

The relationship between third-hand smoke (THS) exposure and lifespan remains inadequately explored. Our study sought to clarify the effects of THS on aging and lifespan. In this pursuit, our cross-sectional analysis assessed hematological aging markers in 986 non-smokers and examined lifespan alterations using a Drosophila model. THS exposure levels were quantified through survey metrics consistent with the Global Adult Tobacco Survey. The findings revealed that THS exposure significantly accelerated biological aging, with exposed individuals exhibiting an average increase in biological age of 3.04 years compared to their unexposed counterparts (p < 0.05). Correspondingly, the Drosophila model reflected these outcomes, showing a reduction in lifespan by 16.07 days (p < 0.01). Proteomic analyses identified MRPL2 as a pivotal protein in THS-induced aging, linking its expression to mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress. Further metabolomic profiling highlighted disruptions in energy metabolism pathways. Follow-up in vitro experiments confirmed the role of MRPL2 in the aging processes at the cellular level. Overall, our results indicate that THS exposure is a significant accelerant of aging, providing new perspectives on the health consequences of environmental smoke residues.

The following analysis is generated by AI and may contain errors. It is separate from the authors’ abstract and is not peer review.

Research summary

The paper investigates the effects of third-hand smoke on biological aging and lifespan, which aligns with longevity research by exploring environmental factors that may accelerate aging processes. The findings contribute to understanding the mechanisms behind aging, particularly through mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress. However, while the study presents solid research and important findings, its impact is limited as it primarily focuses on a specific environmental exposure rather than broader aging mechanisms or interventions.

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