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Posts Tagged ‘cardiovascular disease’

In experiments with mice, scientists at the National Cancer Research Center of Spain (CNIO), found that animals that had a group of genes known to have a protective effect of cancer not only were able to live longer but thinner than those who ate less than that.

Scientists initially were investigating the link between cancer protective gene and its effect on longevity. But “the real surprise,” says the study published in Cell Metabolism, was the impact of these genes in obesity, which in turn has a beneficial effect to prevent disorders such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

It is known that mutations in a gene cluster, called Pten, lead to the development of various cancers. A protein genes encoding these tumor suppressor acts as preventing cells develop and divide abnormally.
Triple protection

Dr. Manuel Serrano and his team wanted to analyze whether the gene Pten also had other effects protective benefits. The scientists created genetically engineered mice that had twice the normal level of Pten protein.  “What we’re seeing is that the tumor suppressor genes not only protect against cancer but also against the damage that accumulates in the body over time”
Dr. Manuel Serrano

As expected, the animals were more resistant to cancer than the group of non-transgenic mice, and also managed to live 12% longer than those. According to investigators, the Pten protein had a direct impact on the longevity of the animals, because in addition to never develop cancer, had fewer symptoms associated with aging.

But what surprised the researchers was that the transgenic mice with the double dose of Pten, which during the experiment the animals ate more than unmodified, were on average 28% thinner.

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A year after the Foundation for Program Research (PRF) has announced the launch of the campaign to find the other 150 “were located 31% of new cases of program, a genetic condition characterized by premature aging children.

It is an international awareness campaign was developed in collaboration between the Foundation for Research on Program and GLOBALHealthPR; the international network of independent public relations world is largest in the health sector, represented by Paradigm Argentina Peel Communication.

In October 2009, 54 known cases of program children in 30 countries, but scientists believe that a statistically there are approximately 150 children who have not yet been identified.

Program, also known as Hutchinson-Gilford syndrome is a rare, fatal genetic condition characterized by the appearance of premature and accelerated aging in children.

The symptoms of this condition include poor growth, loss of body fat and hair, aged-looking skin, joint pain, hip dislocation, generalized atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. A child with program usually dies because of heart problems, like millions of older people.

Finding a cure may therefore be the key to preventing and treating these and other problems associated with natural aging process. PRF is the only nonprofit organization dedicated solely to finding treatments and a cure for program.

In just 12 months the campaign to find the other 150 “achieved the following results:

* we identified 17 children from 12 countries, 5 continents now know that there are children with program.

* In total 71 children know they have this disease worldwide, a 31% increase over the previous year.

“When we launched the campaign, commented that finding even one child and was successful,” said Audrey Gordon, president and CEO of PRF. Gordon said “this success is the result of a global partnership.”

“We now know that thanks to our perseverance, we can find even more children with program to offer treatments that will change your life and connect with local medical professionals and other families living in the same situation,” he added.

The Foundation for Program Research will continue its work of awareness of the disease in order to achieve more and better results through:

* Media coverage to gain greater knowledge about this disease in parts of the world where there is still no case was identified, such as Russia and China.

* Inform the media and the experts and family through pictures of children with program and explanations of this disease.

* Promote the use of tools such as Face book and Twitter by the media, doctors and families so they can follow the latest developments in research of PRF and find information about program.

“There is a close correlation between the role of the media and the identification of new cases, as happened in Brazil, where the number of children rose from 1 to 7 with the media disseminated information about nationwide “said Gordon.

The Foundation for Program Research (PRF) was established in 1999 to try to find the cause, treatment and cure for program, a premature aging disease that causes the death of children who suffer from heart attacks or stroke at 13 years of middle age. In the past ten years, research carried out in conjunction with the PRF identified the gene that causes program and to the discovery of a possible treatment for children who suffer.

After analyzing 34,670 women between 39 and 73 years who had no cardiovascular disease or cancer at baseline in 1997, the team of Dr. Susanna Larsson of the Karolin’s Institute in Stockholm, Sweden, found that participants who consumed large amounts of red meat (at least 102 grams per day) showed a 42% higher chance of suffering a cerebrovascular accident (CVA), compared with women who ate less meat (25 grams per day).

Researchers reported the findings of experience in a recent issue of the journal Stroke. They claimed that within 10 years of the work, 1,680 (4% of participants) suffered a stroke.

This is the first study in years to establish a connection, applicable to the female, between red meat consumption and the possibility of having a stroke.

“The most common was ischemic stroke, which occurs as a result of blockage of an artery that is responsible for delivering blood to the brain. Such occurred in 78% of cases. The rest belong to other accidents unspecified causes or cerebral hemorrhage, experts presented their conclusions.

On the other hand added that “no relationship was detected between the possibility of stroke and the consumption of fresh meat (the analysis is performed on processed red meat) or farm products.”

As a possible explanation, the team led by Dr. Larsson said: “Several mechanisms explain the association between processed meat and risk of stroke. However, we believe that the first point is the connection between the consumption of that food type and hypertension, major risk factors when we think of strokes. “

Moreover, the experts added: “We must not fail to consider the iron accelerates the production of free radicals that damage tissue. Finally, the processed red meat is rich in sodium, a mineral that increases blood pressure. “