Shanghai researchers make key findings about obesity gene

By Cai Wenjun | December 13, 2013, Friday |

Online Edition

RESEARCHERS from Ruijin Hospital have made important discoveries about a gene related to obesity, hospital officials said yesterday.

The discoveries can help provide a new route for obesity prevention and treatment, they said.

The researchers found that the LGR4 gene can have a big influence in the occurrence of obesity.

People with mutated LGR4 genes can have over two times the risk of being obese.

They also found that rats that had the LGR4 gene deactivated had better physical data and lower weights even when fed a fattier diet.

In 2004, doctors from Ruijin started to recruit obese patients below 30 years of age for genetic studies. The team has collected over 1,000 obese people's DNA information and clinical records.

European scientists also have made related findings showing that European offspring whose LGR4 genes are less active weigh less than ordinary people.

Obesity is a disease that carries the risk of complications such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and even sudden death.

Experts said obesity has close ties to heredity, which means obese usually have close relatives with the same problem.

Health and Science

About Us
|
Terms of Use
|
RSS
|
Privacy Policy
|
Contact Us
|
Shanghai Call Center: 962288
|
Tip-off hotline: 52920043

沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
|
互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
|
网络视听许可证：0909346
|
广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
|
增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012

Shanghai researchers make key findings about obesity gene

Email this to your friend