Excessive alcohol consumption triggered by gene mutation

Posted by Neill Abayon

In a study involving mice, researchers have found a gene that regulates alcohol consumption. When this gene is faulty, the mice are prompted to drink excessive amounts of alcohol, suggesting a potential genetic component at play in human alcohol consumption.

The research was undertaken by researchers from five universities in the UK and was funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC), Wellcome Trust and the European Foundation for Alcohol Research (ERAB).

Results of the findings were published in the journal Nature Communications.

Researchers observed that normal mice showed no interest in alcohol presented to them, choosing a bottle of water over a bottle of diluted alcohol.

But when mice with a mutated Gabrb1 gene were offered alcohol, they consistently opted for alcohol over water, consuming nearly 85% of their daily fluid intake as alcohol.

"It's amazing to think that a small change in the code for just one gene can have such profound effects on complex behaviors like alcohol consumption," says Dr. Quentin Anstee, consultant hepatologist at Newcastle University and joint lead author.

More here.

 

Study confirms cancers-family link

Cancer risk depends on genes, lifestyles and environment

By Helen Briggs

Having cancer in the family can increase your chances of developing not only the same cancer but other types too, research suggests.


A study of 23,000 people in Italy and Switzerland found that for each of 13 cancers, close relatives had an increased risk of the same disease.

But there was also evidence that a family history of one cancer could significantly raise the risk of others.

Cancer charities say risk depends on genes, lifestyle and environment.

The research, published in the journal Annals of Oncology, followed 12,000 patients with cancer at different sites in the body.

They were compared with 11,000 people without cancer.

The researchers collected information on family history of cancer, particularly in a first-degree relative (those who share about 50% of their genes - namely a parent, sibling or child).

More of this story here.

Aspirin's Preventive Colon Cancer Effect Depends On Genes

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Posted By Neill Abayon


Taking a daily dose of aspirin helps lower the risk of colon cancer. However, a new study has found that the reduced risk of colorectal cancer is affected by a mutation of a gene called BRAF.

Colon cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. In 2008, there were 1.23 million new clinically diagnosed cases of colorectal cancer; over 608,000 people died from the disease that year.

The study, published in JAMA, identified that the association between daily aspirin use and reduced risk of colon cancer depends on specific gene mutations.

Data was collected from 2 large studies, the Nurses' Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study, which included over 127,000 people.

The researchers, led by Reiko Nishihara of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, found that those who were at a reduced risk of developing colon cancer had the "typical", wild-type, form of the BRAF gene. Regular aspirin use lowered the risk of developing BRAF-wild-type cancer by 27 percent.


The full article here. 

Women 'fight off disease better'

Posted by Neill Abayon

Research suggest that men’s immune systems are not as strong as women’s. A new study indicates that the female sex hormone estrogen gives women’s immune systems added strength for fighting off infection.

Estrogen seems to counter an enzyme, Caspase-12, which blocks the inflammatory process. The inflammatory process is your body's first line of defense against harmful invaders such as bacteria and viruses.

Human Caspase-12 genes were implanted into a group of male and female mice, but only the males became more prone to infection.

The researchers concluded that oestrogen produced by the female mice blocked the expression of the human Caspase-12 gene.

They were also able to locate the precise place where oestrogen binds to the gene in order to block its activity.

Since the experiments were conducted using a human gene, the researchers are confident their work is applicable to humans.

Lead researcher Dr Maya Saleh said: "These results demonstrate that women have a more powerful inflammatory response than men."

View the full article here.