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Children of Parents with Alcohol Use Disorders Inherit Early Aging Symptoms

Mitochondrial Dysfunction Leads to Health Problems

A new study has found that children of parents with alcohol use disorders inherit early aging symptoms including high cholesterol, heart problems, and arthritis. The study, published in the journal Aging and Disease, found that offspring can inherit dysfunctional mitochondria from parents who have been exposed to alcohol. Mitochondria are the energy powerhouses of cells, and when they are not functioning properly, it can lead to a number of health problems.

Study Findings

The study was conducted by researchers at the University of California, San Diego. They looked at data from over 1,000 children of parents with alcohol use disorders. They found that these children were more likely to have high cholesterol, heart problems, and arthritis than children of parents who did not have alcohol use disorders. The researchers also found that these children had reduced levels of NADH, a molecule that is essential for mitochondrial function. This suggests that the mitochondrial dysfunction inherited from parents with alcohol use disorders leads to early signs of age-related diseases in the offspring.

Implications for Health

The study has implications for the health of children of parents with alcohol use disorders. It suggests that these children may be at an increased risk for developing age-related diseases later in life. The researchers say that more research is needed to understand the mechanisms by which alcohol-induced mitochondrial dysregulation contributes to tissue injury and disease.