A great analysis of genetic data, published in "Nature Genetics", a team, led by researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania (USA) has examined for the first time what causes the DM2 and have shown howDM2 and ECC - the two diseases that are the main cause of global morbidity and mortality - are linked.
Examining the genome information of more than 250,000 subjects, the researchers discovered 16 new genetic risk factors of diabetes and a new ECC genetic risk factor;thus providing new knowledge about the mechanisms of the two diseases.Next, they showed that most sites in the genome that are known to be associated with a higher risk of diabetes are also linked to the greatest risk of heart disease.
For eight of these sites, researchers were able to identify a specific genetic variant that influences the risk of both diseases.Shared genetic risk factors affect biological pathways, including immunity, cell proliferation and heart development.The findings add to the basic scientific understanding of these two main diseases and point to possible targets for future drugs.
Double Medication
«Identifying these genetic variants linked to both type 2 diabetes and the risk of heart disease, in principle, opens opportunities to reduce the risk of both with a single drug -says the author of the study, Danish Saleheen, assistant professor of Bioestadistics and Epidemiology -Epidemiology.From a pharmacological development perspective, it would make sense to focus on the roads that are more strongly linked to both diseases ».
The study evidence that, in general, the genetic bond between diseases seems to work in one direction, so that the risk genes for type 2 diabetes are more likely to be associated with a greater risk of heart disease than the other way around.In addition, there could be some ways where the pharmacological decrease of one disease increases the risk of the other.
«Using the evidence of human genetics, it should be possible to design drugs for type 2 diabetes that have beneficial or neutral effects on the risk of coronary heart disease, however, it is important to identify the ways that decrease the risk of type 2 diabetes but thatThey raise the risk of ECC, ”says Saleheen.
Using the evidence of human genetics, it should be possible to design drugs for type 2 diabetes that have beneficial or neutral effects on the risk of coronary heart disease
Saleheen
Scientists also found that diabetes -related genetic variants tend to differ in their apparent effects on the risk of coronary heart disease, depending on their mechanisms.Variants that increase the probability of obesity or high blood pressure, for example, seem to increase the risk of coronary heart disease with more force than variants that alter insulin or glucose levels.
In addition, scientists discovered that the genomic regions involved as Double-Risgo de Diabetes-ECC loci include the objectives of some existing drugs.One of these drugs is ICOSAPENT, a component of omega-3 fatty acids of some fish oils, which reduces cholesterol and is sold concentrated as a recipe sales medication.
