Genetic Link To Dangerous Blood Fat

Research has shown an assortment of common and rare defects affecting four genes can increase levels of a likely dangerous blood fat. With the common and rare defects together, they raise the risk of harmful amounts of triglycerides in blood fat. This is likely what causes the bad cholesterol to form which are linked to heart disease and strokes. Obesity, diabetes and pancreatitis are also associated with this condition.

Researchers writing in the journal Nature Genetics showed that a mixture of several genetic faults considerably increased people’s risk of the disease. When there are very high levels of the fatty substances it leads to a disease called hypertriglyceridoemia (HTG). When uncovering the genetic basis of HTG they used two different techniques in over 500 patients. One of the techniques was based on “gene chips” that detect and find known common genetic mutations. The other involved sweeping the entire genetic code for evidence of previously unknown rare variants associated with disease. The four genes, APOA5, GCKR, LPL and APOB, influence levels of lipids, which are fat molecules, in the blood. In 28 percent of HTG patients rare variants together were found, which is twice the rate seen in healthy individuals.

Dr Robert Hegele, from the University of Western Ontario in Canada, said: “It’s.. instructive that one single gene is not solely responsible for high triglyceride levels, but rather a mosaic of both common and rare variations in several genes. It means that to get a full picture of a patient’s genetic risk, you need to consider both common and rare variants in many genes simultaneously, and to use methods that will detect both types of variation.”

Overall the best way to prevent this is to start by eating more healthy. Diet and exercise can decrease your risk in getting HTG considerably.

Common Genetic Defects Linked To Blood Fat