Skip to main content

Genetic Susceptibility

High muscle strength can prevent type 2 diabetes regardless of genetic susceptibility


Researchers from the School of Public Health, LKS Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong (HKUMed) conducted a large-scale epidemiological study to explore the potential health benefits of high muscle strength in preventing type 2 diabetes (T2D) across varying levels of genetic risk.

The study found that higher muscle strength was associated with over 40% lower risk of T2D, regardless of genetic susceptibility to T2D. The study highlights the importance of maintaining or improving muscle strength as a key strategy for preventing T2D. The findings were published in BMC Medicine.

T2D is one of the most common chronic metabolic disorders, and it is associated with an increased risk of various complications, including heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, and narrowing of blood vessels. It is characterized by elevated blood sugar levels, also known as hyperglycemia, due to insulin resistance and impaired insulin secretion.

Evidence suggests that around 10% of the global population is affected by T2D, therefore, preventing T2D is a significant global public health concern. T2D can be caused by the interplay between non-modifiable genetic traits and modifiable lifestyle factors. Muscle strength is an important aspect of muscular fitness, and it has been found to be associated with lower risk of various cardiometabolic diseases including T2D.

However, it remains unclear whether improving muscle strength should be considered a T2D prevention strategy in individuals with varying levels of genetic susceptibility to T2D, particularly those with high genetic susceptibility to T2D.

Research methods and findings


The research utilized data of 141,848 white British individuals without baseline T2D from the UK Biobank, an ongoing prospective cohort of over 500,000 U.K. adults which includes extensive genotype and phenotype information. Muscle strength was assessed in the form of grip strength. Genetic risk of T2D was estimated based on 138 known genetic variants for T2D.

The participants were followed up for more than seven years. During the follow-up period, 4,743 new T2D cases were identified. The findings indicated that, compared with low muscle strength, individuals with high muscle strength was associated with a 44% lower relative risk of developing T2D, even after taking into account T2D genetic risk as well as other risk factors.

Moreover, the research team observed evidence of an interaction between muscle strength and genetic susceptibility to T2D, suggesting that muscle strength may play a role in modifying the impact of genetic risk to T2D onset. The findings further revealed that individuals at high genetic risk of T2D but with high muscle strength could have a lower absolute risk of T2D, compared with those at low or medium genetic risk but with low muscle strength.

This study uncovered the first-ever prospective associations between muscle strength, genetic susceptibility to type 2 diabetes, and the risk of developing the disease. "The findings emphasize the crucial role of maintaining or enhancing muscle strength as a key strategy for preventing T2D in middle-aged and older adults, regardless of their genetic risk levels and including those at high genetic risk.

"We believe that these results offer novel insights into the significant impact of higher muscle strength on metabolic health," said Dr. Wang Mengyao, from the School of Public Health at HKUMed, the first author of this study.

"This study highlights the significance of Biobank studies in examining the interaction between exposures and genetics in influencing the risk of T2D. Further research utilizing ethnic-specific Biobank studies is needed to determine if these findings are applicable to other populations, such as East Asians," said Professor Ryan Au Yeung, Assistant Professor from the School of Public Health at HKUMed, a co-author of this study.

"Individuals in middle-to-late life are at increased risk of type 2 diabetes. However, our study has demonstrated the potential roles of high muscle strength in preventing the future risk of developing type 2 diabetes not only in all individuals, but also in individuals with high genetic predisposition to type 2 diabetes.

"Our study supports the current public health guidelines which suggest that adults should engage in muscle-strengthening activities for at least two days per week from a disease prevention perspective," added Professor Youngwon Kim, from the School of Public Health at HKUMed, the corresponding author of the study.

Genetic disorder, inherited disease, mutation, DNA sequencing, chromosomal abnormality, gene therapy, rare disease, hereditary condition, genetic screening, precision medicine, Mendelian disorder, genomic research, personalized treatment, epigenetics, autosomal recessive, autosomal dominant, next-generation sequencing, genetic counseling, gene expression, pathogenic variant

#GeneticDisorder, #InheritedDisease, #Mutation, #DNASequencing, #ChromosomalAbnormality, #GeneTherapy, #RareDisease, #HereditaryCondition, #GeneticScreening, #PrecisionMedicine, #MendelianDisorder, #GenomicResearch, #PersonalizedTreatment, #Epigenetics, #AutosomalRecessive, #AutosomalDominant, #NextGenSequencing, #GeneticCounseling, #GeneExpression, #PathogenicVariant

International Conference on Genetics and Genomics of Diseases

Visit: genetics-conferences.healthcarek.com

Award Nomination: genetics-conferences.healthcarek.com/award-nomination/?ecategory=Awards&rcategory=Awardee

Award registration: genetics-conferences.healthcarek.com/award-registration/

For Enquiries: contact@healthcarek.com

Get Connected Here
---------------------------------
---------------------------------
in.pinterest.com/Dorita0211
twitter.com/Dorita_02_11_
facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555903296992
instagram.com/p/C4ukfcOsK36
genetics-awards.blogspot.com/
youtube.com/@GeneticsHealthcare

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Genetics role in ovarian cancer

The Medical Minute: Genetics play big role in ovarian cancer In 2024, about 19,680 women in the United States will receive a new diagnosis of ovarian cancer and 12,740 women will die from the disease, said Dr. Shaina Bruce , a gynecologic oncologist at Penn State Cancer Institute . The median age of all patients who develop ovarian cancer is 63. Historically, women at increased risk for ovarian cancer are recommended to have their fallopian tubes and ovaries removed when they have completed having children. Taking that step to protect themselves comes at a heavy price ― surgical menopause. But Bruce said medical science is catching up with ovarian cancer. Studies could lead to new methods for preventative care and the surgery needed to lower risk may be easier than it once was. Below, during Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month, Bruce discusses the disease and why acting to reduce your risk is worth it. What’s the connection between heredity and ovarian cancer? About 25% of all cases of ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Multifactorial Genetic Conditions

Multifactorial Genetic Conditions Multifactorial genetic conditions are disorders caused by the combined effects of multiple genes and environmental factors , rather than a single gene mutation . These conditions do not follow classic Mendelian inheritance patterns and instead result from complex gene–environment interactions . Factors such as lifestyle, nutrition, infections, stress, and exposure to toxins can significantly influence disease onset and severity in genetically susceptible individuals. Common examples include diabetes, cardiovascular diseases , neural tube defects, asthma, and many neuropsychiatric disorders. Understanding multifactorial inheritance is essential for risk prediction, preventive medicine, and personalized healthcare strategies. Multifactorial inheritance, polygenic traits, gene–environment interaction, complex diseases, genetic susceptibility, environmental risk factors, non-Mendelian inheritance, disease predisposition, polygenic risk score, precision ...
Post a Comment
Read more

X chromosome

Gene on the X chromosome may help explain high multiple sclerosis rates in women Brain inflammation may be fueled by a gene on the X chromosome, a new study in mice suggests. And in female mice, who carry two X chromosomes, a diabetes drug called metformin may work to counteract that inflammation. If these findings bear out in later studies, they could help to unravel the long-standing mystery of why women, who have two copies of this inflammation-driving gene, are more prone to certain autoimmune diseases, particularly after menopause. A disparity between the sexes Our bodies are patrolled by immune cells that provide protection against bacteria and viruses, but sometimes, these defenses turn on us. In the autoimmune disorder multiple sclerosis (MS), for instance, the immune system attacks myelin, the fatty insulation surrounding the nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord. This leads to symptoms such as muscle weakness and difficulty walking, as well issues with memory and thinking...
Post a Comment
Read more