Factors impacting the epigenetic age in the indigenous population of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)

The epigenetic clock used to assess biological age by the level of DNA methylation is a promising method for studying the influence of unfavorable factors on the rate of aging and the development of age-related pathologies. The aim of the study was to analyze the relationship between lifestyle factors and epigenetic age in the indigenous population of Yakutia. The study involved 113 respondents living in the central region of Yakutia, aged 18 to 99 years. The average age of the subjects was 66.9 ± 23.6 years. We analyzed factors that can affect the acceleration of epigenetic age: BMI, abdominal obesity, waist/height and waist/hip ratio, diet, physical inactivity, health status, marital status, education, smoking, alcohol consumption, insomnia, health status. The relationship of these factors with age - related acceleration calculated using 4 biological clock models was assessed: PhenoAge, Horvath DNAm, Hannum DNAm, GrimAge. A tendency towards acceleration of epigenetic age was revealed in respondents with a high body mass index, low physical activity and an impaired diet (prone to overeating, consumption of highly refined carbohydrates and high-calorie foods). Keywords: epigenetic age, Horvath DNAm, PhenoAge, Hannum DNAm, GrimAge, age acceleration, Yakutia, indigenous population, aging, body mass index, nutrition.