New research in old mice shows that periods of mild oxygen deprivation temporarily accelerate the age of cells. This phenomenon is measured using a method that looks at changes in DNA, also known as epigenetic age. What is striking is that this acceleration stopped as soon as the oxygen deprivation ceased. This suggests that the effect is temporary and reversible.
Intermittent hypoxia means that the body occasionally receives less oxygen for short periods. In some situations, this can be a positive stimulus for cells, causing them to function better. However, prolonged or severe oxygen deprivation can actually be harmful and promote accelerated ageing. Research on people living at high altitudes, where the air contains less oxygen, also shows faster ageing of the immune system.
Epigenetic age measurements in blood are mainly influenced by immune cells, because only these cells in blood possess a cell nucleus. As a result, these results mainly reveal something about the ageing of the immune system, not the entire body. That makes it difficult to draw firm conclusions about general ageing in oxygen deficiency.
This study contributes to our understanding of how the body responds to oxygen deprivation and how cells adapt. This is important because it shows that some forms of stress can temporarily influence the ageing process, but also that recovery is possible. For those who want to age healthily, this highlights the importance of a balanced lifestyle and avoiding prolonged stress.
Source: Reason
