a new genetic study of causes

Excess iron in the liver has been associated with health problems such as cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.

Researchers from Exeter University, the University of Westminster, Lund University and Perspectum Diagnostics have shown that the genes that regulate iron metabolism in the body are the most important in the world. organism are responsible for excess iron in the liver.

The research was presented at the annual conference of the European Society of Human Genetics. The researchers used a genetic study to assess the causal relationship between a higher waist-to-hip ratio and an excessive iron content in the liver. The study showed genetic evidence that abdominal obesity was associated with increased levels of iron in the liver.

Dr. Hanieh Yaghootkar said: "It is the first time that such a study is performed on a large and unselected population".

Why is excess iron in the liver bad for the body?

Professor Joris Veltman, President of the ESHG Conference and Director of the Institute of Genetic Medicine at Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, explained: "Iron overload is detrimental to the body and has to be tightly regulated. The genetic study presented at the ESHG today reveals a key role for genes regulating iron metabolism, as well as a link between certain types of obesity and overload in iron. "

Yaghootkar added, "Animal studies indicate that fat cells trigger inflammation of macrophages, a type of white blood cell, resulting in improper handling of iron in the liver. We need to deepen the research on this association, but it is a plausible explanation of the phenomenon. "

Potential applications for research

According to the researchers, since the clinical manifestations of high iron concentrations are very diverse, a multi-specialty approach is needed to evaluate and evaluate new therapies. One of these possible therapies is to use hepcidin to reduce iron accumulation.

Researchers continue to study 100,000 people. Yaghootar concludes, "This will allow us to find many more genetic factors associated with this trait. We are also interested in carrying out such studies in other ethnic groups, as our current results are valid only for people of European descent. "