The environmental impact on aging: Insights from buccal mucosa and molecular biomarkers

Buccal epithelial cells serve as a primary barrier against the inhalation and ingestion of harmful substances, working alongside immune system cells such as natural killer cells to protect the body from health-damaging factors. These epithelial cells can also be used as an alternative tissue source for monitoring the genotoxic effects of external factors such as chemical exposure. This assessment can be performed using molecular biomarkers of aging, which reflect biological age and indicate cellular aging acceleration due to internal and external damage factors, such as environmental hazards. In contrast to chronological age, which merely reflects the passage of time, biological age accounts for individual variation in aging processes. Molecular biomarkers are crucial for distinguishing between normal and pathological processes in the body and for identifying the effects of external factors such as chemical exposures. The identification of specific biomarkers enhances the ability to detect and monitor adverse biological responses and accelerated aging. This review aims to highlight the routes through which environmental hazards enter the body, the application of buccal epithelial cells in assessing genetic modifications, and the introduction of potential molecular biomarkers. However, further research is necessary to elucidate the roles of these biomarkers in determining aging rates and individual variability. Understanding their implications may also help identify new therapeutic targets for preventing premature aging, treating age-related diseases, and developing potential treatments.