Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jul 31, 2024 1 month, 1 week, 5 days, 3 hours, 29 minutes ago
Cardiology Updates: Researchers from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and Massachusetts General Hospital have made groundbreaking discoveries about the impact of transthyretin (TTR) levels on heart disease. This
Cardiology Updates news report explores how TTR levels, influenced by genetic factors, can predict heart failure and mortality, offering new avenues for prevention and treatment.
Transthyretin levels - a new marker for heart disease risk
Understanding Transthyretin and Its Role
Transthyretin is a transport protein produced in the liver, responsible for carrying thyroid hormones and vitamin A throughout the body. However, when TTR proteins misfold, they can form amyloid fibrils, leading to a condition known as cardiac amyloidosis. This condition results in the stiffening of the heart muscle, making it difficult for the heart to pump blood effectively, ultimately leading to heart failure and increased risk of death.
The Study and Its Key Findings
In a comprehensive study, researchers analyzed data from 35,206 participants in the UK Biobank. This study investigated how TTR levels correlate with heart disease risk, particularly focusing on genetic variations that affect TTR stability.
Low TTR Levels Linked to Higher Risk
The study found that individuals with lower TTR levels had a significantly higher risk of heart failure and all-cause mortality. Specifically, a standard deviation decrease in TTR levels was associated with a 17% increase in heart failure risk and an 18% increase in mortality risk. This finding was particularly pronounced in individuals carrying the V142I TTR gene variant, which destabilizes the TTR protein.
Gender Differences and Health Factors
Interestingly, TTR levels were found to be lower in females compared to males. Additionally, TTR levels increased with higher body mass index (BMI), systolic and diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, albumin, triglycerides, and creatinine levels. Conversely, higher levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of inflammation, were associated with lower TTR levels. These insights suggest that various health factors and inflammation significantly influence TTR levels.
Genetic Influence on TTR Levels
The study highlighted that individuals carrying the V142I TTR gene variant had notably lower TTR levels compared to non-carriers. This genetic variant is known to increase the risk of amyloid formation, leading to higher susceptibility to heart failure and mortality.
Implications for Heart Disease Management
Dr Pankaj Arora, the senior author and a cardiologist at UAB Cardiovascular Institute, emphasized the potential of TTR level monitoring in heart disease management. He stated, "Our research highlights the critical role of TTR levels in predicting heart disease risk. By understanding the factors that influence TTR levels, we can better identify individual
s at high risk and develop targeted interventions to prevent adverse outcomes."
Dr Naman Shetty, another lead researcher, added, "These findings underscore the potential benefits of incorporating TTR level measurements in screening programs, especially for individuals with genetic predispositions."
Practical Applications and Future Research
Monitoring TTR levels could become a valuable tool in managing heart disease risk, particularly for those with known genetic variations like the V142I TTR variant. Low TTR levels could serve as an early indicator for genetic testing, allowing for proactive management and counseling for affected families.
"This information can be used to counsel family members while they await the results of genetic testing," said Dr Arora. "This research marks a significant step forward in understanding and mitigating the risks associated with cardiac amyloidosis and other heart-related conditions."
Conclusion
The study's findings reveal a strong link between low TTR levels and increased risk of heart failure and mortality, especially in individuals with specific genetic variants. By integrating TTR level measurements into routine screenings, healthcare providers can better predict and manage heart disease risk.
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Communications.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-50231-1
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Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/how-two-proteins-could-change-the-way-we-understand-heart-failure
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/the-role-of-specificity-protein-1-sp1-in-heart-disease
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