Deep learning reveals diverging effects of altitude on aging

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Environmental Health
• Biomedical Science

Background:

• Aging is multifactorial, influenced by genetics, environment, and lifestyle.
• High altitude exposure, including hypoxia and UV radiation, may affect aging and related diseases.
• Ethiopia's diverse altitudes offer a unique setting to study altitude's impact on aging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of high altitude on aging and age-related disease burden in Ethiopia.
• To assess biological aging markers in relation to elevation.
• To explore the relationship between altitude, disease, and senescence.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Global Health Data Exchange (GHDx) and Ethiopian health data for regional analysis.
• Conducted a cross-sectional study comparing highland and lowland dwellers in Tigray, Ethiopia.
• Assessed biological aging via facial photographs and peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) senescence predictors.

Main Results:

• Higher altitude regions showed lower risk exposure rates, reduced disease burden (DALYs), and increased life expectancy.
• Facial aging accelerated with increasing elevation, potentially due to higher UV exposure.
• Decreased DNA damage-induced senescence in PBMCs (monocytes and lymphocytes) was observed with increasing altitude.

Conclusions:

• Altitude in Ethiopia is associated with reduced disease burden and lower mortality.
• Biological aging markers present a complex picture, with faster facial aging but reduced cellular senescence at higher altitudes.
• Findings support the hypothesis that oxidative stress, potentially influenced by altitude, plays a role in aging processes.