Scientists from the University of Virginia have uncovered a significant factor that may explain why men tend to live shorter lives than women: the loss of the male sex chromosome as they age.
Their research, led by Kenneth Walsh, reveals that the loss of the Y chromosome in men can cause the heart muscle to scar, potentially leading to deadly heart failure. This discovery could also help explain why, on average, men die several years younger than women.
The study found that as men age, many begin to lose their Y chromosome in some of their cells, with this phenomenon estimated to affect about 40% of men by the age of 70.
This loss has serious implications, as it appears to be linked to an increased risk of age-related diseases, including heart disease and Alzheimer’s.
The new research provides the first direct evidence that the loss of the Y chromosome can cause harmful effects on men’s health, particularly in the heart.
To explore this, the researchers used advanced CRISPR gene-editing technology to create a specialized mouse model that mimics the effects of Y chromosome loss in blood cells.
They observed that the loss of the Y chromosome accelerated age-related diseases in the mice, making them more susceptible to heart scarring—a condition known as fibrosis—and leading to an earlier death.
This damage wasn’t merely due to inflammation; rather, it involved a complex immune response that triggered widespread fibrosis throughout the body.
The findings suggest that the loss of the Y chromosome could be a key factor in the development of heart disease and heart failure in men. As the Y chromosome is lost, the risk of heart scarring and death increases.
This may help explain why men, on average, live about five years less than women, with the loss of the Y chromosome potentially accounting for nearly four of those years.
Interestingly, the study also points to a possible treatment for the harmful effects of Y chromosome loss. The drug pirfenidone, which is already approved by the FDA for treating idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (a type of lung scarring), might be effective in counteracting the scarring caused by chromosome loss.
Pirfenidone is currently being tested for the treatment of heart failure and chronic kidney disease, both of which involve tissue scarring.
This research provides new insights into the biological differences between men and women that contribute to their differing life expectancies.
By targeting the effects of Y chromosome loss, there may be potential to help men live longer, healthier lives. As the research continues, it could lead to new strategies for preventing or treating the health issues that disproportionately affect men as they age.
If you care about heart health, please read studies about top 10 foods for a healthy heart, and how to eat right for heart rhythm disorders.
For more health information, please see recent studies about how to eat your way to cleaner arteries, and salt and heart health: does less really mean more?
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