Aspirin, the influence of smoking female genome processes related to aging colorectal cancer -
The risk of developing cancer increases with age. Factors such as smoking and regular use of aspirin also affect the risk of cancer - but in the opposite direction. Researchers at the University of Basel were now able to show that the use of aspirin and smoking at the same time the influence of the female genome processes that are linked to colorectal cancer aging. The Journal of the National Cancer Institute published the results.
Already in the 190s, scientists discovered that regular use of aspirin over long periods of time decreases the risk of cancer. Since then, numerous studies have confirmed the protective effect of the drug against various types of cancer. the use of regular aspirin is said to reduce the risk of developing colorectal cancer by an average of 40%. However, it is unclear exactly how the drug affects cancer risk.
A research group led by Prof. Primo Schär, molecular geneticists in Biomedicine Department at the University of Basel and gastrointestinal specialist PD Dr. Kaspar Truninger, has now discovered a possible mechanism of how aspirin reduces cancer risk: It slows some of the genome aging process - namely the changes that play an important role in tumor development
to analyze. the relationship between lifestyle and aging of the genome, the researchers examined intestinal tissue samples from 546 healthy women over 50 years. They compared the changes specific to the age of marker genes, called DNA methylation, with women lifestyle factors regarding the use of aspirin, smoking, body mass index and hormone replacement therapy. The most significant effects were measured for the use of aspirin and smoking.
Aging Markers
"the genome of each cell is like a library that is full of bookmarks," says Schär. Thank you to these bookmarks, cells know which genes to read, so that they can perform their specialized tasks such as skin, muscle or intestinal cells. "But these markers are not very stable and change during aging. If certain parts of the genome, the change is drastic, tumors can develop," Schär said.
In this study the researchers were able to show for the first time that this disintegration of genetic markers associated with age can be slowed by the regular use of aspirin. Smoking on the other hand, accelerates the aging process. "Especially affected are genes that play a role in cancer development, "says Dr. Faiza Noreen, research associate at the Department of Biomedicine at the University of Basel and first author of the study.
stresses that Truninger it would be premature to start taking aspirin only for cancer prevention without consulting a doctor -. Especially when regarding the potential side effects such as gastrointestinal bleeding
EmoticonEmoticon