A new study suggests that men who lose the Y chromosome in their blood cells may have a higher risk of developing coronary artery disease (CAD). The findings were published in the journal Circulation: Cardiovascular Genetics.

The Study

The study, which was conducted by researchers at Uppsala University in Sweden, involved more than 3,000 men who were part of a long-running study called the Uppsala Longitudinal Study of Adult Men.

The researchers measured the Y chromosome in the men’s white blood cells and compared it to the men’s risk of developing CAD over the course of more than 10 years of follow-up.

The researchers found that men who had lost the Y chromosome in a high proportion of their white blood cells were more likely to develop CAD than men who had not lost the Y chromosome.

The researchers found that the risk of CAD increased by about 6% for every 1% increase in the proportion of white blood cells that had lost the Y chromosome. Men who had lost the Y chromosome in more than 50% of their white blood cells were at the highest risk of developing CAD.

The Y Chromosome

The Y chromosome is what makes a male a male. It contains genes that determine the development of male sex characteristics and play a role in fertility. Women do not have a Y chromosome.

Interestingly, the researchers found that the loss of the Y chromosome was most common in older men. About 20% of men over the age of 80 had lost the Y chromosome in a high proportion of their white blood cells.

The researchers also found that the loss of the Y chromosome was more common in smokers and in men with high blood pressure.

What Does this Mean?

The study suggests that the loss of the Y chromosome may be a marker of biological aging and that it may contribute to the development of CAD.

Although the exact mechanisms are not yet clear, the researchers speculate that the loss of the Y chromosome may lead to changes in the immune system and inflammation that contribute to CAD.

The findings of the study may have implications for the prevention and treatment of CAD. In particular, the study highlights the importance of lifestyle factors, such as smoking and blood pressure control, in reducing the risk of CAD.

Conclusion

The loss of the Y chromosome in white blood cells is associated with an increased risk of developing CAD in men.

The findings of the study highlight the importance of lifestyle factors in reducing the risk of CAD and suggest that the loss of the Y chromosome may be a marker of biological aging that contributes to the development of CAD. Further research is needed to better understand the mechanisms underlying these associations and to develop new strategies for preventing and treating CAD.