Tracking Epigenetic Biomarkers of Health and Aging During the Initial Year of Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy

Abstract

Gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) is a necessary treatment for many transgender people, and there is a critical need to further improve treatment experience and mitigate possible risks. Here we investigated whether DNA methylation (DNAm) biomarkers of health and aging are modified during the first year of GAHT and whether these vary by treatment type. Cohort consisted of 13 trans women (TW) and 13 trans men (TM). Sampling occurred at baseline (pre-GAHT), and at 6-and 12-month follow-up. We tracked the longitudinal dynamics of three epigenetic clocks (Horvath, Hannum, PhenoAge), DNA methylation-based telomere length (DNAmTL), and DunedinPACE. At baseline, the Horvath and Hannum showed a..