A protein has been linked to a woman's ability to maintain weight loss after dieting, a European study has revealed.
Significant concentrations of the protein Angiotensin I Converting Enzyme (ACE), better known for its role in regulating blood pressure, was found in women who regained weight within six months of dieting when compared with woman who continued to lose weight.
Professor Edwin Mariman, from Maastricht University in the Netherlands and who led the research, said: 'It was a surprising discovery, because until now there has been no clear link between this protein and obesity'. Although hospitals already test for ACE, the tests are usually conducted to monitor its activity in regulating blood pressure and do not look at its concentration.
The exact benefits of the findings remain to be established, however the scientists who undertook the study remain optimistic that the findings could be used to develop personalised programs to improve weight maintenance.
'We do not yet have an explanation for the results', said Professor Mariman, 'but it does appear that it should be possible within a few years to use this finding to develop a test to show who is at high risk of putting weight back on after a diet'.
The study analysed the blood protein levels of 31 proteins and three hormones in 96 women aged between 29-49 years of age. It was published in the online journal, PLoS One.
Sources and References
Related Articles
Exercise outweighs 'fat' genes
When it comes to our weight, there is no need to wallow in the gene pool. Scientists have found that physical activity lessens the link between genes and obesity...
Gene tests for weight loss: Australian pharmacies under fire
The Australian Pharmacy Guild has drawn criticism after signing a commercial deal that offers weight-loss programmes based on genetic testing. Medical experts in the field claim that the test is a 'gimmick', as research linking genes to weight gain or loss is still in its infancy, and is not suitable evidence to guide dietary regimes...
Storage of fat linked to genetic variant
Scientists in Scotland have discovered a number of genes that are highly expressed in fat tissue and lead to storage of excess fat in mice. The findings, reported in PLoS ONE, could explain why some people carry more weight than others despite sharing similar diets...
Scientists uncover 'key gene' linked to regulation of body fat
Scientists say they have found a 'master regulator' gene, KLF14, which controls how active some fat metabolism genes are in your fat cells....
Pregnancy diet linked to childhood obesity
An international study has found an association between lower consumption of carbohydrates during early pregnancy and the activity of a gene thought to be linked to increased fat levels in children...
Mice affected by what their dad ate
A father's diet can affect the way his offspring's genes function, according to the authors of a study on mice. Scientists found information about the diet of male mice can be passed to their offspring, causing changes to the 'switching on and off' of genes involved in processes like metabolism. The research could one day help identify people at higher risk of illnesses like diabetes and heart disease...
Studies find gene variants linked to blood cholesterol levels
Two new studies published in Nature have found...
Gene knockout prevents obesity in mice
Mice that have been engineered to lack a gene called IKKE are protected from obesity, new research has found. IKKE, a normal immune system gene, appears to act as the main control centre for obesity in the laboratory mice and when it is successfully blocked the animals remained thin even when fed a diet high in fat. The researchers, from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, US, do not know whether IKKE is linked to obesity in humans but have speculated that, if it is, new trea...
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.