Scanning the entire DNA in human body, researchers have found that there are overall 95 genes that have an effect on the cholesterol in blood. These included the genes affected by various medicines. These finding reveal that controlling cholesterol levels is much more intricate than estimated. However, it can also help in pointing short-cuts to fight heart diseases.

The variations found in the study are almost 25-35 percent of the inundated difference in triglycerides and levels of cholesterol. Frequency of physical activities, exercise and the type of diet can influence significantly on cholesterol levels. These results also help in refining the path for prevention and treatment of heart troubles.

Director of National Institutes of Health, Dr. Francis Collins, promised to take quick actions to utilize these vital findings in development of drugs and treatments. Millions of American citizens and people around the world are suffering from heart problems and for this reason the NIH spends graciously on researches involving heart diseases. The findings are later accredited to private drug firms to work on developing products.

The researchers studied the DNA of about 100,000 individuals to classify the genes that affect various types of cholesterol – HDL, LDL and triglycerides. These findings justify another approach involving the study of the whole genetic map for hints that can’t be found otherwise.

A DNA chain affecting the SORT1 gene was also found in the research. About 20% of people have a genetic variation that prompts low LDL levels. This lowers the risk of heart diseases by 40 percent in such individuals. The research team linked this difference to SORT1 and predicted chances of developing a new drug to prevent heart problems by aping the naturally low levels of LDL in individuals with the gene.

Source:

Journal NATURE