Why do women live longer than men?

According to the German statistical office, life expectancy for men and women has risen steadily over the past few decades, but a change remains to men still on average about five years earlier than women. The phenomenon is similar worldwide. One possible reason for this may be the Y chromosome.

So-called X chromosomes and Y chromosomes are part of genetic information in our body cells. Women usually have two X chromosomes in their cells, while men have an X and a Y. The male chromosome “” is noticeably smaller and ensures the development of male sexual characteristics in the embryo.

With aging, however, during cell division, individual Y chromosomes could disappear. This has long been known in professional circles. This mutation is not completely harmless, explains cardiologist Andreas Zeier, who investigates the subject at Frankfurt University Hospital: “in the last two to three years have been researched that the loss of this chromosome causes cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's, various diseases, diabetes, and so on. The classical disease of macular degeneration - a slight loss of sight - is also caused by loss. And after that, the question arises: How is that possible?

The loss of Y chromosome occurs mainly in blood - forming cells that produce billions of blood cells in the bone marrow every day, Zeier explains. If such a stem cell loses its Y chromosome, not all of its offspring will have it, and often such cells produce more new blood cells than others.

According to German scientists, about 40 percent of men over 70 years of age are affected by this mutation, while nearly five percent of 45-year-olds have been affected. However, not all blood stem cells lose Yʹ chromosome instead, a so - called mosaic of cells with various forms of genetic information is created.

The research team led by this cardiologist now wants to find out what changes in these cells are the result of the lack of Y chromosome. Because lighting or turning off genes can cause pathological processes in the body. Scientists regularly examine blood samples from elderly male heart patients and seek cells without a Y chromosome.

It has been shown that blood cells without a Y chromosome are noticeably more frequent in heart disease males than in healthy males.

Organ Changes

In animal experiments, a research group in the United States has already managed to demonstrate the important role of the Y health chromosome. Blood cells without it in animals caused inflammation processes not only in the heart but also in lungs and kidneys.

The result is: The tissue is transformed into the so - called fibrous, thickened tissue, and hardened like a wound. Such wounds make the heart stiffer and less capable of pumping, Zeier says. It has not yet been clarified to the extent that this discovery applies to humans.

Still no therapy.

There is no therapy for the consequences of the lack of Y chromosome. Also unknown is the loss of Y chromosome preventable.

But there are some lifestyles that promote extinction. So cardiologist Zeier recommends that males be physically active, abstain from smoking, and avoid stress. The Frankfurt expert team hopes to discover further consequences of the lack of Y chromosome in the body and be able to develop therapy against related health problems.