Nvukov researchers found gene variants that increase the risk of obesity by 6 times

Scientists have found gene variants that increase the risk of obesity by 6 times

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Scientists have found variations in two genes that increase the risk of obesity six times. However, they do not manifest themselves until a person reaches adulthood.

This is stated in the study, published in the scientific journal Nature Genetics, informs Medical Xpress.

To study the genes affecting body mass index, a group of scientists from the University of Cambridge used the DNA of more than 500,000 people.

They managed to identify two genes that influence the occurrence of obesity – BSN and APBA1.

“We have identified two genes and their variants that, at the population level, have the strongest effect on obesity risk that we have ever observed.” – said study co-author Giles Yeo.

Scientists have found that genetic variants of the BSN gene can increase the risk of obesity sixfold. In addition, they are associated with an increased risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and type 2 diabetes.

According to scientists, variants of the BSN gene affect one in 6,500 adults.

Unlike previously identified “obesity genes”, BSN and APBA1 variants are not associated with childhood obesity. This led the researchers to believe that they may have discovered a new biological mechanism of the disease.

As the scientists note, the BSN and APBA1 genes are involved in the transmission of signals between brain cells. They suggest that age-related neurodegeneration may affect appetite control.

If researchers can better understand the nature of obesity, it will provide more potential drugs to treat it in the future.

We will remind, the study showedthat over the past 30 years, the number of obese children has quadrupled, and adults have doubled.