Researchers have identified gene variants that boost the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease — the leading cause of global morbidity and mortality, a finding that points to potential targets for common drugs.
Read also:Poor sleep may make you fat, raise diabetes risk
According to research:
- While the study confirmed most of the known diabetes “risk loci”sites on the genome.
- In addition,where small DNA variations have been linked to altered, usually higher diabetes risk.
- Furthermore,the researchers also uncovered 16 new risk factors.
Read also:Try these Tested Home Remedies to Fight Diabetes
- The researchers also identified eight specific gene variants that are strongly linked to altered risk for both diseases.
According to Experts:
Read also:Read how alcohol keeps diabetes away!
- Identifying these gene variants linked to both Type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease risk in principle opens up opportunities.
- In addition,to lower the risk of both outcomes with a single drug.
- From a drug development perspective.
- It would make sense to focus on those pathways that are most strongly linked to both diseases.
- Seven of these gene variants, as expected, appeared to increase risk for both Type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease risk.
- The eighth, a variant of the gene for the cholesterol-transport protein ApoE.
- Turned out to be associated with higher diabetes risk but lower coronary heart disease risk.
- On the whole, the genetic link between the diseases appears to work in one direction.
- So that risk genes for Type 2 diabetes are much more likely to be associated with higher coronary heart disease risk.
- In addition,than the other way around.
- There could also be some pathways where pharmacological lowering of one disease increases the risk of the other.
- Using evidence from human genetics, it should be possible to design drugs for Type-2 diabetes.
- Furthermore,that have either beneficial or neutral effects on coronary heart disease risk,” Expert said.