A new study in the journal Cancer Research suggests that vaping may cause epigenetic changes in cells similar to those seen in smokers, potentially indicating negative health impacts. While it doesn't directly establish a causal effect, the study found epigenomic changes in the cells of e-cigarette users, including those who had smoked fewer than 100 cigarettes in their lives. Experts caution that further research is needed to understand the effects of e-cigarettes on human health and their potential links to cancer.
A new study published in Nature suggests that smoking has longer-lasting harmful effects on immune responses than previously understood, even after quitting. The study found that while the immune system's innate responses to bacteria or viruses recovered after quitting, the adaptive T cell defenses did not bounce back as quickly. The research, which involved 1,000 participants, identified smoking, body mass index, and cytomegalovirus infection as key factors affecting immune responses. The study linked smoking to epigenetic changes that altered DNA methylation and impacted the body's immune defense. The researchers emphasized the importance of never starting smoking and urged current smokers to quit as soon as possible.
Researchers from Northwestern University found that immune cells in the blood of Alzheimer's patients exhibit epigenetic changes, potentially priming the body to fight the disease. These changes expose genes that could help mount a response inside the brain, implicating the peripheral immune response in Alzheimer's disease risk. The study suggests that epigenetic changes in white blood cells could provide new insights into the progression of the disease and lead to new therapeutic targets.
A study of over 1,000 adults suggests that cannabis use may cause changes in the epigenome, which regulates gene activity in the human body. Researchers found associations between cumulative marijuana use and multiple epigenetic markers over a 20-year period. The study identified DNA methylation markers associated with recent and cumulative cannabis use, some of which were also linked to tobacco use. These epigenetic changes have been previously associated with various health conditions, but the study does not prove a direct causal relationship between cannabis use and these changes or health problems. Further research is needed to understand the long-term effects of marijuana on health.
Scientists have discovered a previously unknown link between chromosomal instability and epigenetic changes, both of which are hallmarks of cancer. This connection allows individual cancer cells within the same tumor to develop variations, increasing their survival and resistance to treatment. The findings open up new possibilities for treatment and provide insights for further research. Chromosomal instability and the presence of micronuclei could be used as biomarkers to identify patients who may benefit from epigenetic modifying drugs. The study also suggests that targeting chromosomal instability and suppressing epigenetic alterations simultaneously could be a promising therapeutic approach. Additionally, preventing the rupture of micronuclei, a driver of epigenetic changes, could be explored as a potential strategy.
A study of over 1,000 adults suggests that cannabis use may cause changes in the body's epigenome, specifically DNA methylation levels. Researchers found associations between cumulative marijuana use and multiple epigenetic markers, some of which have been linked to cellular proliferation, hormone signaling, neurological disorders, and substance use disorders. However, the study does not prove that cannabis directly causes these changes or health problems, and further research is needed to understand the long-term effects of marijuana on health.
