Factor accelerating aging in middle-aged men revealed

Researchers from Shanghai Jiao Tong University have established that certain types of "forever chemicals" — perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) and perfluorooctane sulfonamide (PFOSA) — are capable of triggering premature biological aging in middle-aged men. The corresponding findings of the experts were presented in the scientific publication Frontiers in Aging.

As reported by TUT.AZ with reference to Gazeta.ru, synthetic compounds of the PFAS group did not earn the nickname "forever" by accident: their chemical bonds are virtually indestructible, allowing them to accumulate for years in soil, water, and the human body. These substances are ubiquitously present in the production of non-stick cookware, waterproof materials, food packaging, and even firefighting foam. Previously conducted studies had already linked PFAS to the development of oncological diseases, hormonal disruptions, infertility, and weight problems.

In the course of the new project, scientists analyzed medical data from 326 volunteers — participants in a large-scale health study conducted in the United States. The content of 11 types of chemicals was determined in the subjects' blood samples, while DNA methylation was simultaneously studied — special epigenetic markers reflecting the actual degree of wear and tear on the body. Using 12 different "epigenetic clock" models, specialists compared the participants' biological age with their chronological age.

The results proved alarming: PFNA and PFOSA were detected in the blood of 95% of those examined. At the same time, a clear pattern was traced — high concentrations of these substances directly correlated with accelerated aging in men aged 50 to 64. Interestingly, no similar correlation was recorded in women.

According to specialists, the male body in this age range may be particularly vulnerable to the aggressive effects of the external environment. Scientists also suggest that such factors as smoking or lifestyle characteristics may act in conjunction with chemical pollutants, multiplying their destructive impact at the genetic level many times over.