High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a major risk factor for heart disease and comes with a significant economic burden, costing the U.S. healthcare system about $131 billion every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Despite the availability of medications and lifestyle changes, almost half of the people with high blood pressure struggle to lower their numbers to the recommended level of 120/80 mmHg or below.
Scientists from Yale University recently made an important discovery that could improve treatments for high blood pressure. They identified a specific gene, called PRDM6, that appears to play a significant role in regulating blood pressure.
This finding brings new hope that understanding this gene might lead to more effective medications for people who are unable to control their blood pressure with current options.
To uncover this gene’s role, the research team used data from large studies that looked at genetic factors related to hypertension.
These studies, known as genome-wide association studies (GWAS), analyze DNA data from large populations to find specific genes or genetic regions associated with certain diseases. The researchers at Yale also performed high-tech tests to see how different genes influence blood pressure.
Through their investigation, the team discovered that PRDM6 has a strong connection to blood pressure regulation. They created genetically altered mice with variations in the PRDM6 gene to study how these changes affected blood pressure.
Their research revealed that PRDM6 limits the number of certain cells in the kidney that produce an enzyme called renin during early development.
Renin plays a vital role in blood pressure control by helping regulate how much water and salt the kidneys retain. When too much renin is present, blood pressure can rise, leading to hypertension.
In their experiments, the researchers showed that by reducing renin levels, they could normalize blood pressure in mice. This was achieved by using a drug called aliskiren, which specifically blocks renin.
This result indicates that medications targeting PRDM6 or the renin-producing cells in the kidney could be a new way to control blood pressure.
The study also highlights the importance of epigenetics, which refers to how environmental factors can influence gene behavior. PRDM6 is known as an epigenetic regulator, meaning it can alter how other genes work without changing the DNA sequence itself.
By studying PRDM6, researchers hope to understand more about how lifestyle and environmental factors, such as diet and stress, might affect blood pressure.
This discovery has gained attention among scientists, as it provides new insights into how blood pressure is regulated at a genetic level.
In the future, the team plans to investigate PRDM6 further to determine exactly how it controls blood pressure and how medications might be developed to target this gene.
For anyone interested in managing their blood pressure, other studies have found that dietary factors, such as nutrients in common plants or even black tea, may help lower blood pressure.
This area of research could lead to a broader range of options for people with high blood pressure, especially those who need new treatments to achieve healthy levels.
The study was led by Dr. Arya Mani and published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation. This research could mark a significant step toward helping more people manage high blood pressure effectively and reducing the long-term health risks associated with this condition.
If you care about high blood pressure, please read studies that early time-restricted eating could help improve blood pressure, and natural coconut sugar could help reduce blood pressure and artery stiffness.
For more information about blood pressure, please see recent studies about added sugar in your diet linked to higher blood pressure, and results showing vitamin D could improve blood pressure in people with diabetes.
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