Genetic variation linked with increased risk of Gout

London : Gout has long been believed to be caused byunhealthy lifestyles, but now researchers at the MRC Human GeneticsUnit, in Edinburgh have found that a gene variant may also raise therisk of this painful joint condition.The researcher team, led by Professor Alan Wright, analysed morethan 12,000 people and said that new gout drugs may one day target thegene, called SLC2A, and the protein it controls.The susceptibility of Gout can vary from person to person— somepeople may have higher or lower risk of gout depending on the form ofthe gene they inherited.Normally, humans discard uric acid; a waste product found in theblood, through the kidneys and passes it out of the body in urine. Butthere are some people who face problem in getting rid of it properlyand thus it gets build up in the blood, thereby forming crystals in thejoints, leading to inflammation, stiffness and pain.A number of food types have been held responsible owing it to thefact that diets rich in refined sugars, protein and alcohol increasethe risk.However, the researchers observed that while a large number ofpeople have a diet that is likely to increase the risk of gout, thereare just a few who actually develop the illness.By working out the reason behind this, the scientists found that theSLC2A gene variation might make it difficult for the body to removeuric acid from the blood."The gene is a key player in determining the efficiency of uric acidtransport across the membranes of the kidney," BBC quoted Wright, assaying.His colleague Harry Campbell said: "Some people will have higher orlower risk of gout depending on the form of the gene they inherited.This discovery may allow better diagnostic tools for gout to bedeveloped."While there are millions of people suffering from this illness,currently, there is a dearth of drug treatment for such patients.Professor Stuart Ralston, from the British Society for Rheumatology,said that he had often encountered patients whose lifestyles did notfit the traditional view of over-consumption."Until recently you would associate gout with boozing and rich food,but there are plenty of other patients who are quite abstemious. Thismight be a genetic marker for gout risk. What is exciting is that itcould be a target for new gout drugs," he said.According to Dr Andrew Bamji, president of the British Society forRheumatology, the research comes in line with a recent study suggestingthat too many sugary soft drinks could trigger gout."It appears that this gene also plays a role in the control oflevels of fructose sugar in the body, which would explain the findingthat soft drinks were linked to attacks," he said.

Your Ad Here