Heart disease markers linked to metabolism and C-reactive protein
High levels of C-reactive protein, an inflammatory marker that may warn of impending heart disease, are tied to variations in genes that control metabolism, two new studies show.
Dr. Alexander Reiner of the University of Washington, Seattle states that the studies identify “new genes that are of potential importance for either the treatment of cardiovascular disease or potentially screening individuals who may be at higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease”.
What they still need to discover is the exact relationship between C-reactive protein levels and heart disease. That will be the crucial piece of the puzzle. Just what was discovered here though?
The teams found seven genomic regions that appeared to be strongly correlated with CRP levels. Six of those regions contained genes associated in one way or another with metabolic syndrome; the seventh contained no known genes. These six genomic locations read like aWho’s Who of cardiovascular disease and metabolic disorder, genes such as HNF1A, which regulates the CRP gene; the leptin receptor, which regulates weight; a regulator of glucose metabolism; and apolipoprotein E.
Exciting to see the genes involved with traits of metabolic syndrome are also associated with CRP. There will be so much more on this in the future.
via Washington Post
Tags: C reactive protein, CRP, heart-disease, metabolismRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Hearty Diet, Hearty Healthcare, Hearty Info
1 opinion for Heart disease markers linked to metabolism and C-reactive protein
Trisha
May 1, 2008 at 7:46 pm
I’ve never heard of anyone having their C-reactive protein levels checked before. Any idea what might lead a doctor to check something like that? High cholesterol, age?
Have an opinion? Leave a comment: