Connect with us

Health

New inherited form of obesity, diabetes discovered

Published

on

London: By sequencing the DNA of an extremely obese young woman and members of her family, researchers at Londons Imperial College have discovered a new inherited form of obesity and Type-2 diabetes in humans.In addition to an increased appetite leading to severe weight problems from childhood, she had Type-2 diabetes, learning difficulties and reproductive problems.

They found that she had inherited two copies of a harmful genetic change which meant she could not make a protein called carboxypeptidase-E (CPE).

CPE is important in processing of a number of hormones, brain transmitters controlling appetite, insulin and other hormones important in the reproductive system.

Studies have previously shown that CPE deficiency causes obesity, diabetes, and impaired memory in mice, but no humans with the condition have been found before.

“These are serious disorders that affect the body’s ability to regulate hunger and fullness signals. They are inherited in the same way as other genetic diseases are inherited and sufferers should not be stigmatised for their condition,” said professor Alex Blakemore, who led the study.

The examined patient’s parents and cousins, gave her relatively high likelihood of inheriting the same genetic change from both parents. She had an older brother with similar symptoms who died aged 21, the study said.

“Finding a genetic cause for the patient’s problems has helped her and her family to understand and manage her condition better,” first author of the study Sanne Alsters, who carried out the genetic tests, said.

“There are now increasing number of single-gene causes of obesity and diabetes known. We do not know how many more have yet to be discovered, or what proportion of the severely obese people in our population have these diseases – it is not possible to tell just by looking,” Blakemore said.

Corona

Covid toll in Karnataka is a worrying sign for state government

Published

on

 

Even though Karnataka recorded the lowest number of Covid deaths in April since the virus struck first in 2020, the state is recording a rise in the positivity rate (1.50 per cent). Five people died from the Covid infections in April as per the statistics released by the state health department. In March, the positivity rate stood around 0.53 per cent. In the first week of April it came down to 0.38 per cent, second week registered 0.56 per cent, third week it rose to 0.79 per cent and by end of April the Covid positivity rate touched 1.19 per cent.

on an average 500 persons used to succumb everyday in the peak of Covid infection, as per the data. Health experts said that the mutated Coronavirus is losing its fierce characteristics as vaccination, better treatment facilities and awareness among the people have contributed to the lesser number of Covid deaths.

During the 4th and 6th of April two deaths were reported in Bengaluru, one in Gadag district on April 8, two deaths were reported from Belagavi and Vijayapura on April 30. The first Covid case was reported in the state in March 2020 and three Covid deaths were recorded in the month. In the following month 21 people became victims to the deadly virus, and May 2020 recorded 22 deaths. The death toll recorded everyday after May crossed three digits. However, the third wave, which started in January 2

Continue Reading

Trending