Gene variants associated with body shape increase risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes
A study from Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) researchers has found that a pattern of gene variants associated with an "apple-shaped" body type, in which weight is deposited around the abdomen, rather than in the hips and thighs, increases the risk for type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease, as well as the incidence of several cardiovascular risk factors. The report appears in the February 14 issue of JAMA.
"People vary in their distribution of body fat -- some put fat in their belly, which we call abdominal adiposity, and some in their hips and thighs," says Sekar Kathiresan, MD, director of the MGH Center for Genomic Medicine, associate professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, and senior author of the JAMA report. "Abdominal adiposity has been correlated with cardiometabolic disease, but whether it actually has a role in causing those conditions was unknown. We tested whether genetic predisposition to abdominal adiposity was associated with the risk for type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease and found that the answer was a firm 'yes'."
While several observational studies have reported greater incidence of type 2 diabetes and heart disease among individuals with abdominal adiposity, they could not rule out the possibility that lifestyle factors -- such as diet, smoking and a lack of exercise -- were the actual causes of increased disease risk. It also could have been possible that individuals in the early stages of heart disease might develop abdominal adiposity because of a limited ability to exercise. The current study was designed to determine whether body type really could increase cardiometabolic risk.
To answer that question, the research team applied a genetic approach called mendelian randomization, which measures whether inherited gene variants actually cause outcomes such as the development of a disease. Using data from a previous study that identified 48 gene variants associated with waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for body mass index -- an established measure for abdominal adiposity -- they developed a genetic risk score. They then applied that score to data from six major genome-wide association studies and to individual data from the U.K. Biobank -- a total research group of more than 400,000 individuals -- to determine any association between a genetic predisposition to abdominal adiposity and cardiometabolic disease and its risk factors.
The results clearly indicated that genetic predisposition to abdominal adiposity is associated with significant increases in the incidence of type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease, along with increases in blood lipids, blood glucose and systolic blood pressure. No association was found between the genetic risk score and lifestyle factors, and testing confirmed that only the abdominal adiposity effects of the identified gene variants were associated with cardiometabolic risk.
"These results illustrate the power of using genetics as a method of determining the effects of a characteristic like abdominal adiposity on cardiometabolic outcomes," says lead author Connor Emdin, DPhil, of the MGH Center for Genomic Medicine and the Cardiology Division. "The lack of association between the body type genetic risk score and confounding factors such as diet and smoking provides strong evidence that abdominal adiposity itself contributes to causing type 2 diabetes and heart disease."
Emdin continues, "Not only do these results allow us to use body shape as a marker for increased cardiometabolic risk, they also suggest that developing drugs that modify fat distribution may help prevent these diseases. Future research also could identify individual genes that could be targeted to improve body fat distribution to reduce these risks."
Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/02/170214162852.htm
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Using Lisinopril For Blood Pressure: What Patients Should Know
Blood Pressure is a condition that affects a significant number of people and can range from mild and occasional to persistent and severely disruptive. Understanding the available treatment options is an important part of managing symptoms effectively. Healthcare providers evaluate the severity of the condition and the patient's overall health profile before recommending a specific medication or combination of treatments. High blood pressure, or hypertension, affects nearly half of all adults in the United States and is one of the most common reasons for prescription medication. Often called the silent killer because it produces no noticeable symptoms in most people, hypertension silently damages the heart, blood vessels, kidneys, and brain over time. Left untreated, it dramatically increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and kidney disease. Lisinopril (lisinopril) belongs to the class of medications used for blood pressure management and is commonly considered by clinicians evaluating treatment options for this condition. Patients looking closely at lisinopril for blood pressure will find that the medication offers a practical option for many individuals dealing with this specific issue, particularly when first-line approaches have provided incomplete relief. As with any prescription or over-the-counter medication, proper dosing and adherence to usage guidelines are essential to getting the most benefit from Lisinopril while minimizing the risk of side effects. Taking the medication as directed, at the appropriate time of day, and for the full recommended duration helps ensure therapeutic blood levels are maintained. Patients should inform their healthcare provider of all other medications they are taking to check for potential interactions. For broader context on treatment options related to blood pressure management, https://mednewwsstoday.com/blood-pressure/ provides evidence-based information covering the full range of medications used in this therapeutic area, helping patients and caregivers compare approaches and make informed decisions alongside their medical team.
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