Obese people mostly suffer from hypertriglyceridemia. It is a condition where the levels of triglyceride cholesterol cross the normal range. This increases the risk of heart ailments and pancreatitis.
Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles discovered a key component in the metabolism of triglycerides. Results of their study were published in the July 2010 issue of the journal Cell Metabolism.
Knowledge Gained from the Research on Hypertriglyceridemia:
- The triglycerides are processed in the blood by enzymes called lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and without their presence the level of this form of cholesterol increases.
- It was already known that the LPL enzyme is produced in the fat and muscle but is found in the blood capillaries.
- But, the mechanism of how these enzymes made their way into the capillaries was unclear until now.
- This study discovered a gene known as GPIHBP1 involved in the transportation of the LPL enzyme to the capillaries.
- From the experimental studies carried out on mice, it was learnt that change in chemical structure of GPIHBP1 gene (technically known as mutation) causes accumulation of LPL in the sites of their production instead of being at the capillaries.
- The exact mechanism of LPL enzyme transportation to its destined place from the production site by the GPIHBP1 gene is yet to be understood.
Significance of the Research on Hypertriglyceridemia:
There are very less studies carried out on understanding the mechanism behind increased levels of triglycerides in the humans. Available reports of a possible link between mutations in the genes and high triglyceride levels are also very less.
Conclusions of this research study can have a deeper impact on the treatment of obesity. Novel treatment techniques can be discovered which will address the physical disorder at its genetic level. The scope for prevention of this disorder will also increase in the near future.
