genes Archives - First Washington News

February 28, 2023

Obesity linked to 21 genes related to Alzheimer’s disease, study finds

The World Overall health Business estimates that around 55 million men and women worldwide have dementia, with Alzheimer’s disorder currently being the most typical kind of the ailment.
Weight problems is a regarded modifiable possibility component for this kind of dementia.
Scientists from The College of Texas Health and fitness Science Middle at San Antonio uncovered 21 of 74 recognised Alzheimer’s-related genes are also connected to weight problems.

In accordance to the Entire world Overall health Firm (WHO), extra than 55 million people today have dementia.

Weight problems is a regarded modifiable risk element for Alzheimer’s ailment — a kind of dementia impacting an approximated 32 million persons globally.

In addition, researchers from The University of Texas Overall health Science Middle at San Antonio have found 21 of 74 known genes linked to Alzheimer’s sickness are also connected to obesity. Experts consider this might assistance reveal why adults who expertise weight problems in midlife a lot more regularly acquire Alzheimer’s illness.

The examine appears in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association.

Obesity is a ailment affecting the entire overall body and its well being. A man or woman is overweight if their pounds is increased than what is usually considered healthier for their peak, also known as their body mass index (BMI).

Preceding investigate suggests that sustaining an ideal BMI for height may well help minimize the chance for Alzheimer’s condition. Moreover, a current analyze found the style of neurodegeneration brought about by obesity is very similar to the kind leading to Alzheimer’s disorder, suggesting that managing bodyweight could help slow cognitive decrease and decrease a person’s possibility for Alzheimer’s.

Previous exploration reveals obesity causes swelling in the entire body, which can direct to not only an elevated hazard for Alzheimer’s but other conditions which includes cardiovascular disorder, diabetes, and stroke.

In accordance to Dr. Claudia Satizabal, assistant professor at the Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Ailments and The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and the study’s corresponding writer, the crew made a decision to look for a genetic connection involving being overweight and Alzheimer’s disease because, from preceding scientific studies, we know that weight problems — significantly in midlife — is a hazard component for Alzheimer’s sickness dementia, but we do not absolutely recognize why.

“Thus, we requested the problem, what if being overweight modifications the expression of important genes implicated in Alzheimer’s that could help make clear some of the mechanisms linking these two problems?” she told Health-related News Now.

For this analyze, Dr. Satizabal and her workforce analyzed 74 Alzheimer’s-relevant genes from in excess of 5,600 members of the Framingham Coronary heart Analyze.

Upon examination, scientists identified of these 74 genes, 21 were possibly beneath-expressed or in excess of-expressed in obesity. Furthermore, scientists observed 13 Alzheimer’s-connected genes ended up related with BMI, and 8 were being connected to waistline-to-hip ratio.

“We ended up expecting some associations simply because recent genetic research of Alzheimer’s dementia have pointed to genes concerned in the metabolism of lipids and the immune program, both equally of which can be dysregulated in being overweight,” Dr. Satizabal stated. “However, we ended up a minimal stunned to see as many — the expression of just about 30{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} of the Alzheimer’s illness genes showed back links with weight problems features.”

Dr. Satizabal mentioned despite the fact that they can’t derive fast suggestions for individuals from this analyze, these results insert to the developing literature linking obesity and Alzheimer’s dementia.

“It is important to explore with clients the implications of extra pounds, specially belly weight problems, to maintain cardiovascular and brain wellness as we age,” she included.

Scientists pointed out this study’s limitation as most data from the Framingham Coronary heart Study was from a generally white population.

“We imagine the associations concerning Alzheimer’s-associated genes and obesity could be even extra appropriate in Hispanics, who have a higher prevalence of being overweight, but that is however to be examined,” Satizabal states. “We need to raise the sampling of varied populations to come across more genetic markers linked to dementia.”

As for the future measures in this investigation, Dr. Satizabal stated, “We are preparing to replicate these conclusions in further, more numerous samples, and adhere to up on vital mobile and molecular mechanisms.”

Healthcare Information Currently also spoke about this review with Dr. Santosh Kesari, a neurologist at Providence Saint John’s Overall health Centre in Santa Monica, CA and regional health care director for the Research Medical Institute of Providence Southern California.

He stated he was not stunned by the study’s findings because we know continual diseases these types of as being overweight cause all kinds of challenges, such as dementia.

“It was attention-grabbing to come across which genes, but at the exact same time it was not completely astonishing that there would be a established of genes that could demonstrate the hazard of neurodegenerative diseases in individuals with weight problems,” he extra.

When questioned what the correlation involving being overweight and Alzheimer’s sickness may well be, Dr. Kesari mentioned we do not nevertheless know the entire tale.

“It would seem some of the story is in this new publication for the reason that some of the genes concerned that are similar to weight problems and enhanced danger of Alzheimer’s in this dataset spotlight the job of neuroinflammation,” he ongoing. “At minimum a several of the genes are linked. We know obesity triggers inflammation and some of those people similar genes seem to be implicated in neuroinflammation, which we feel is a single of the fundamental mechanisms of dementia, like Alzheimer’s dementia.”

For people today at large possibility for Alzheimer’s sickness, Dr. Kesari reported the before they can start preventive measures, the greater.

“If you have the genetic danger for Alzheimer’s, you know that in your 40s or 30s, you commence to transform your lifestyle and practices to avert troubles happening many years down the line,” he described. “And if being overweight is one particular challenge that also is connected to Alzheimer’s, undoubtedly cutting down body weight in your 30s and 40s will minimize the chance of dementia decades afterwards.”

“For disorders this kind of as Alzheimer’s, figuring out your chance and what you can do decades in advance of is heading to be the greatest action to avoiding it,” Dr. Kesari added. “Once you have dementia when you are obese, clearly [weight] reduction is nevertheless critical for your standard health, but it could not make substantially big difference in conditions of dementia that is already set in. These reports need to have to be finished as perfectly.”

September 2, 2022

Regular exercise may help women live longer, regardless of their genes

An older woman takes a brisk walk outdoors by a lake — California researchers found that physical activity of any intensity may lower the risk of death in women older than 60, regardless of their genetic propensity for longevity. Rob and Julia Campbell/Stocksy

Health experts state that staying active can contribute to healthy aging in older adults.
California researchers found that physical activity of any intensity may lower the risk of death in women older than 60 years.
Their nationwide study also uncovered more evidence that more sedentary behaviors carry greater mortality risk, regardless of genetic propensity for longevity.
The authors hope these findings will encourage older women to be active to reduce the risk of diseases and premature death.

In the United States, the National Center for Health Statistics estimates the life expectancies of males and females are 74.5 years and 80.2 years, respectively. For healthy aging, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that physical activity is key.

To find out whether physical activity had an advantage over genetics in promoting longevity, researchers at the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science at the University of California San Diego and other institutions conducted a nationwide study.

After analyzing health data of more than 5,000 older postmenopausal women, the researchers found that higher levels of light, moderate, or vigorous physical activity correlated with a lower risk of all-cause deaths. The findings expanded on prior studies that have shown that more sedentary time carries greater health risks.

These associations persisted across varying levels of genetic potential for living longer.

“[The] findings support the importance of higher physical activity (PA) and lower sedentary time (ST) for reducing mortality risk in older women, regardless of [their] genetic predisposition for longevity,” the researchers wrote.

Their prospective study was recently published in the Journal of Aging and Physical Activity.

From 2012 to 2020, the UC San Diego researchers analyzed data on the physical activity of more than 5,000 ambulatory women ages 63 and older.

Lead author Alexander Posis, MPH, a doctoral student in the San Diego State University/UC San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Public Health, explained the significance of the OPACH study to Medical News Today:

“Our study used pre-existing data from the Objective Physical Activity and Cardiovascular Health (OPACH) study, which is part of the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) that started in the early 1990s because women had not been included in many epidemiologic studies and clinical trials.”

– Alexander Posis, MPH, lead author of the study

The OPACH study focused on associations between physical activity, cardiovascular disease, and injury risks. The data generated allowed researchers to look at physical activity and the risk of mortality, cancers, cognitive decline, and physical disability as well.

Other research using the OPACH study found associations with physical activity (PA), sedentary time (ST), and mortality during an average follow-up of 3 years. However, no one had explored any possible genetic influence on these associations.

The UC San Diego study aimed to use a follow-up of 6 years and adjust the results with a “weighted genetic risk score (GRS) for longevity.”

Activity, variants, and covariates

OPACH participants wore an accelerometer 24 hours per day for 7 consecutive days.

The device measured the amount of time the women spent moving or being still and the intensity of any activity.

The researchers defined total PA “as movement resulting in energy expenditure.” They categorized PA intensity and ST minutes using predetermined cut points applied to the accelerometer counts.

Choosing longevity genes

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have linked multiple single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), or genetic variants, to longevity.

The UC San Diego cohort developed a weighted GRS based on three SNPs strongly associated with long life. This metric compared survival to age 90 versus death before age 90.

Covariates and comorbidities

Covariates, or characteristics among the study’s participants, included age, education level, body mass index (BMI), self-reported health status, and other details. Participants’ race was also a factor but was limited to white, Black, and Hispanic ethnicities.

The study also analyzed chronic conditions present before or after participation, including cancer, depression, frequent falls, and cardiovascular disease.

Of the 5,446 women in the present study’s sample, 1,022 passed away during follow-up.

The authors determined that 36{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} of the total population had a high GRS, 33.1{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} had a medium GRS, and 30.9{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} had a low GRS for longevity.

The researchers firstly found that physical activity, of light or moderate-to-vigorous intensity, was associated with a lower risk of death while higher ST was associated with a higher risk of death. Interestingly, these associations persisted regardless of one’s genetic predisposition for longevity.

Interestingly, the low-GRS individuals were younger, more active, and had higher physical functioning scores than the other GRS groups. Those with low GRS were also “more likely to be of Black race/ethnicity than the medium and high GRS groups.”

“Our study showed that, even if you aren’t likely to live long based on your genes, you can still extend your lifespan by engaging in positive lifestyle behaviors such as regular exercise and sitting less,” Aladdin H. Shadyab, PhD, the study’s senior author and assistant professor at the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, said in a news release.

Historically, women have been significantly underrepresented in clinical trials. Using data from the OPACH study was a step forward in inclusive research.

However, the resulting lack of male participation created a limitation on the UC San Diego study’s findings.

“Based on the design of our study, we were not able to make any inferences on men. But we hope that future studies will examine these associations in study cohorts that include men as well as those in younger age groups,” Posis told MNT.

Dr. Scott Kaiser, a geriatrician and director of Geriatric Cognitive Health for the Pacific Neuroscience Institute at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, CA, told MNT the work is a “well-done study [… with] a lot of great data.” However, he cautioned that the current study is an association study and not designed to prove causality.

“I think this just supports an increasing amount of evidence that our genes are not our destiny […] It shows that there is a stronger association between longevity with physical activity than [with] genetics,” Dr. Kaiser said.

Noting that the present study focused on only certain markers of longevity, Dr. Kaiser added that researchers need to determine other such factors. For instance, he said that the SNPs used to calculate the GRS were more common among people of European ancestry.

Is ‘sedentary’ a misnomer?

Dr. Kaiser said the term “sedentary time” might not be appropriate. It does not account for people who are unable to walk but can still engage in other physical activities such as chair exercises.

“It’s whether you just have some consistent physical activity versus somebody who’s overall physically inactive,” he said.

Dr. Kaiser hopes the public will understand that genetics do not trump a healthy lifestyle for reducing disease and mortality risk.

“When it comes to healthy aging, exercise is about the closest thing we have to a miracle drug,” he said.

“The whole take of this [study] is that even if you could go to your doctor and get a fancy genetic test to see whether or not you have markers of longevity, it doesn’t matter as much as whether you get up off the couch and exercise on a regular basis.”

– Dr. Scott Kaiser, geriatrician and director of Geriatric Cognitive Health for the Pacific Neuroscience Institute in Santa Monica, CA

Posted on October 27, 2021
Can fitness genes explain differences in workout results?

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New research looks into the role of genes and their variants in workout outcomes. RunPhoto/Getty Images

Researchers from Cambridge University published a meta-analysis in PLOS ONE identifying 13 candidate genes associated with fitness outcomes in previously untrained people.

Genetic influences accounted for 72{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} of the difference in the results of those in the strength training group.

Genetic factors had less effect on the outcomes in the aerobic (44{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}) and anaerobic power groups (10{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}).

Further research is necessary to determine the exact roles of fitness genes and how best to tailor exercise training according to genetic makeup.

Physical activity is essential for maintaining health, reducing chronic diseases, and preventing premature death. The 2018 physical activity guidelines for Americans recommend a combination of moderate intensity and vigorous intensity aerobic exercise alongside muscle-strengthening activities involving the major muscle groups.

The advice is for adults to do 150–300 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic activity, 75–150 minutes of vigorous intensity aerobic activity, or an equivalent mix. They can spread this activity throughout the week and should also engage in strength training on at least 2 days of the week to reap additional health benefits.

The three components necessary to determine health-related fitness are cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength, and anaerobic power. Cardiovascular or cardiorespiratory fitness measures how efficiently the respiratory and circulatory systems supply oxygen to the skeletal muscle for energy production during physical activity.

The maximum oxygen uptake (VO2 max) test is one way to determine cardiorespiratory fitness. The VO2 max test measures the body’s maximum oxygen consumption capacity during a vigorous intensity activity, such as running on a treadmill.

A higher VO2 max indicates an improved ability to supply and utilize oxygen and maintain aerobic activities at an increased intensity for extended periods. Low cardiorespiratory fitness is a predictor of cardiovascular disease and death from all causes in adults.

Muscular strength is the body’s capability to exert a sufficient force against external resistance to perform tasks and maintain mobility.

An anaerobic activity is one that involves the breakdown of glucose for energy without using oxygen. Anaerobic power measures the body’s ability to move with the greatest intensity in a short period.

Increasing cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, and anaerobic power may improve a person’s overall fitness level, but responsiveness to exercise training varies considerably among individuals.

In a session at the 22nd Annual Congress of the European College of Sports Science, Dr. Bernd Wolfarth, professor in the Department of Sports Medicine at Humboldt University, Berlin, explains, “Environment is a major factor [for trainability], and nowadays, we know that about 25–40{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} of the variability of phenotype results from genes, and the other 60–75{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} is coming [from] environmental effects.”

Specific genes called candidate genes may predict successful responses to targeted types of exercise training. These genes may influence energy pathways, metabolism, storage, and cell growth in the body.

These findings led researchers from the Cambridge Centre for Sport and Exercise Sciences at Anglia Ruskin University, UK, to conduct a meta-analysis to identify the specific version, or alleles, of candidate genes related to the exercise response in untrained participants. The team analyzed strength, anaerobic power, and cardiopulmonary fitness.

Individuals inherit one allele of each gene from each parent. The individual is homozygous for the gene if both alleles are the same and heterozygous if the two alleles are different.

The study also assessed whether the identified genes and alleles contributed to differences in exercise training response among the participants. The researchers analyzed the results from 24 different studies with a total of 3,012 participants. Of the cohort, 1,512 participants were male, and 1,239 were female. The sex of the remaining 261 participants was not stated.

The mean age of the participants was 28 years. There were 89 groups: 43 aerobic, 29 strength, and 17 power. The researchers identified 13 candidate genes and alleles, of which nine, six, and four were associated with cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, and anaerobic power, respectively.

On average, the participants in the cardiorespiratory fitness studies received aerobic training for 36 minutes on 3 days of the week for a total of 12 weeks. The specified intensity was 77{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} of maximum heart rate or 74{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} of VO2 max. The researchers attributed 44{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} of the difference in aerobic training response to genetic influences.

Strength training, on average, involved 174 repetitions per session at an intensity of 75{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} of one-repetition maximum. Sessions took place 3 days per week for a total of 10 weeks. Genes accounted for 72{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} of the observed differences in the strength training group.

The participants in the anaerobic power group performed, on average, 4–12 cycle bouts of a specified intensity — 90–110{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} VO2 max or a load of 0.075 per kg body weight — 3 days a week for 5 weeks. Genes had less influence in the power group, with only 10{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} of the variability in response being due to genetic influences.

Dr. Bert Mandelbaum, who is a sports medicine specialist and orthopedic surgeon at Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute in Los Angeles and was not involved in the study, told Medical News Today, “Genomics and the aspects of […] phenotypic and genotypic expression […] with respect to fitness and exercise are now being associated with a variety of genomic patterns.”

“As we learn more about [the] phenotypic expression of a variety of haplotypes in genes, there [will] be a spectrum of how we interpret these […] going forward — this is one of those studies that really demonstrate that.”

The strengths of this meta-analysis included the classification of study groups as either aerobic, strength, or power and the assessment of gene subgroups. As the sample size for some genes was small in this review, further studies are necessary to determine the exact role of these genes in influencing cardiopulmonary fitness, strength, and anaerobic power.

The results of future research may, theoretically, support the individualization and optimization of exercise programs based on a person’s genetic makeup.

Henry C. Chung, lead author of the study and Ph.D. researcher, states:

“Because everyone’s genetic makeup is different, our bodies respond slightly differently to the same exercises. Therefore, it should be possible to improve the effectiveness of an exercise regimen by identifying someone’s genotype and then tailoring a specific training program just for them.”