Risk of Developing Intestinal Disease is Inherited, A New Research Shown

The researchers at the University of Queensland, Australia have used genetics to demonstrate that much of the risk of developing a common and sometimes fatal intestinal disease is inherited.

The study which focus on diverticular disease (DivD) of intestine, a prevalent disease,  particularly among older people in Australia show that among the genome-wide association study of more than 700,000 individual across multiple biobank, DivD is highly inheritable. The result of the study also shows that 150 genetic factors are connected with the risk of getting the disease.  

The follow-up analyses implicate several cell types, including gut
myocytes, mesothelial and stromal cells, and enteric neurons and glia, in disease development.

The recent study prove wrong the initial belief that a low-fibre diet was the main risk factor of DivD.  

The study also show that people with DivD consume less water, fruit, vegetables, wholemeal or wholegrains bread than those without the disease. 

The lead researcher at the University of Queensland, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Dr Yeda Wu said, the study make them to discover 40 per cent of the risk of diverticular disease of intestine is inherited.

Dr. Wu  believes the results of the study should make it possible to use genetics as a tool to identify people who are at a higher risk of getting DivD.

The team of researchers comprise: 
  • Yeda Wu: Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland 
  • Slavina B. Goleva: Division of Genetic Medicine, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University. 
  • Lindsay B. Breidenbach: Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville. 
  • Minsoo Kim: David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, United States 
  • Stuart MacGregor: QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane
  • Michael J. Gandal: Department Human Genetics, University of California Los Angeles
  • Lea K. Davis: Division of Genetic Medicine in the Department of Medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.  and 
  • Naomi R. Wray: Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane 

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