Welfare
Gene Breakthrough ? UK researchers have identified more Crohn's genes in a study which could prove to be a significant step forward in IBD research.
Three new specific genes and a new region containing several potentially important genes have been identified by researchers from the Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium (WTCCC).
The new genes increasing a person's susceptibility to Crohn's Disease - IRGM, NKX2-3 and PTPN2- point to an important role for the 'autophagy' pathway in its causation. Autophagy, or 'self eating', is the process in cell biology which leads to controlled degradation of cells, a process responsible for clearing unwanted material, such as bacteria, from cells. Until highlighted by these recent findings, this was not previously suspected as being important in the causation of Crohn's Disease.
Dr Miles Parkes said of the findings published in Nature and Nature Genetics: "Until we were able to use these molecular genetic techniques, it was difficult to be sure in which parts of the immune system the primary problems of Crohn's Disease were occuring. The genetic data we now have clearly identify areas for further research as well as confirming previous findings."
The results for Crohn's have been the first significant findings from the £9 million WTCCC research project. They are part of a number of wideranging studies for which researchers analysed 17,000 DNA samples taken from people in the UK to identify common genetic variations for seven major diseases. As well as providing insights into what leads some people to develop the diseases and offering new avenues for treatments, the success of the approach heralds exciting advances in the study of genetics of disease. In addition, the researchers have identified an important role for two 'gene deserts', areas of the genome that are devoid of genes but which might contribute to Crohn's Disease by influencing how genes work nearby or even a long way away. Extract taken from NACCNews Summer 2007.
Omega-3 in diet ? Researchers say nutrient deficiencies are common in patients with IBD and that a change of diet to include omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids contained in fish oil may be useful. Ref: Nutritional modulation of inflamatory response in inflamatory bowel disease. Wild Ge, et al. World J Gastroenterol. 2007 Jan 7;13(1):1-4 "There is evidence that fish oils can improve the outcome in Crohn's Disease," writes Dermot McGovern, NACC News' medical editor.
