Naphthalene Metabolites From Long‐Term Environmental Tobacco Smoke Induce the Aging of Retinal Pigment Epithelium

ABSTRACT Tobacco use is the main source of indoor air pollution and contains a variety of toxic components. The smoke from burning cigarettes is a key environmental risk factor that leads to accelerated aging and the occurrence of numerous diseases. Meanwhile, cigarette smoke and aging are both prominent risk factors for age‐related macular degeneration (AMD). This study demonstrates that long‐term exposure to cigarette smoke can impair retinal function and induce the aging of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Meanwhile, the plasma of rats after long‐term exposure to cigarette smoke can trigger DNA damage and cellular senescence in vitro. In addition, naphthalene and its metabolites (1,2‐dihydroxynaphthalene and 1,2‐naphthoquinone) derived from cigarette smoke have been identified as an important factor contributing to RPE damage caused by cigarette exposure. Finally, we found that the aging of RPE induced by smoking can be alleviated through smoking cessation, probably because quitting smoking reduces the accumulation of these toxic chemicals in plasma and within the eyes.