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Ex-Smokers' Lungs: Damage Lingers Long After Quitting
23 Jul
Summary
- Lung cells show persistent genetic changes after smoking cessation.
- Some former smokers exhibit unique molecular patterns in their lungs.
- Lasting lung damage underscores continued risk of smoking-related illnesses.
New research from McGill University indicates that the lungs of ex-smokers may not fully recover, even after cessation. A meta-analysis of over 100,000 lung cells from former smokers, current smokers, and never-smokers revealed that while some lung cells rebound, others exhibit persistent genetic changes.
These lasting molecular alterations affect genes crucial for tissue structure, immune function, and blood vessel health. Some former smokers even displayed unique molecular patterns not found in either active smokers or non-smokers, suggesting a distinct biological signature left by quitting.
Researchers suggest these enduring changes help explain the continued higher risk of smoking-related illnesses faced by ex-smokers compared to those who never smoked. Understanding these permanent damage mechanisms is a critical step toward developing better treatments for lung diseases.
