Slim and sick by certain genes

Gene variant discovered: Increased risk of slender disease

27/06/2011

A particular gene variant significantly influences the formation of body fat and the risk of diabetes and heart disease. The same genetic traits that make people rather lean, are responsible for health-critical blood sugar and cholesterol levels and thus increase the risk of heart disease and diabetes, according to the current issue of the magazine „Nature Genetics“ published study results of an international research group led by Ruth Loos of the Medical Research Council (MRC) in Cambridge, UK.

Obesity is considered one of the major risk factors for diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Conversely, lean people were assumed to have a generally lower disease risk. But the international team of researchers, analyzing more than 76,000 human genes, found that a particular gene variant also contributes to lower body fat and increased diabetes and cardiovascular disease risk. For example, lean people may be at as much health risk as overweight or obese individuals, reports Ruth Loos and colleagues in the journal „Nature Genetics“.

Lower body fat percentage, increased disease risk
In her research, the international research group has come across a specific gene variant, which involves both a lower body fat percentage and an increased diabetes and cardiovascular disease risk. The current study results contrast with the previous assumption that lean people are generally at lower risk for heart disease and diabetes. However, the new findings also provide an explanation for why some people, despite massive overweight, do not fall ill and why Slim can also be exposed to an increased risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease, so the statement of the experts. Analyzing the data from 26 different studies from 10 different countries, the researchers looked more closely at the genetic makeup of more than 76,000 people and discovered a variant of the IRS1 gene that contributes significantly to reducing body fat while increasing blood glucose. and cholesterol levels, which significantly increases the risk of diabetes and heart disease. The researchers suspect that the gene variant only reduces the amount of subcutaneous fatty tissue, but does not prevent fat storage in the organs.

Fat storage in the organs
Thus, the fat storage instead of the visible body parts, in the individuals with the special gene variant rather in the organs, what the health risks mentioned bring with them, the researchers explain. „We do not know for sure yet, but assume that these people store the fat in other places, such as the liver or the muscles“, explained Ruth Loos. Those affected appear slim, but are also at increased risk of diabetes and heart disease. Because the discovered gene variant influences „not just the total amount, but also the type of fat in the body“, the researcher continues. Ruth Loos explained that to scientists one „truly fascinating“ Discovery succeeded as she „investigated the unexpected effects of this gene.“ Especially men with a special variant of the IRS1 gene generally had a lower body fat percentage, but suffered disproportionately from type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Their study proves that „not just overweight people who are susceptible to these ailments“, but also lean ones are sometimes exposed to increased diabetes and cardiovascular disease risk, reports Ruth Loos of the MRC.

Effects of gene variant gender-specific different
That the effects of the special gene variant in men and women were extremely different, the experts attributed to a generally different body fat production in the sexes. Men tend to be less likely to form fat pads than women, so the effects of the gene variant they have discovered can be particularly momentous for them, said MRC researcher Loos. In addition, the experts warn against passing on any health risks to the hereditary systems in the light of the current study results and, accordingly, do not live up to their own responsibility. According to the experts, dietary habits and physical activity continue to be major factors influencing diabetes and heart disease risk. Although the genes would „make us receptive to certain diseases“, However, eating and physical activity are health issues „also a big role“, stressed Ruth Loos. The recommendations for a balanced diet and regular physical activities remain, but should be even more so for slim people with the special gene variant, the experts concluded. (Fp)

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Image: Dieter Schütz