Indian doctors discover gene that causes high blood pressure in lung arteries
Doctors at New Delhi’s Sir Ganga Ram Hospital have discovered key genetic factors in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), which may help in better diagnosis and treatment of the condition.
In a new advancement in the medical world, doctors at New Delhi’s Sir Ganga Ram Hospital have made a breakthrough in understanding pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).
PAH is a serious condition in which high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs can lead to heart failure and low oxygen levels in the blood.
It is a rare disease that requires complex diagnosis and advanced therapy, which may not be available in all areas, even in developed countries.
Dr. Rashmi Rana and her team conducted a detailed study comparing the genetic activity of PAH patients with that of healthy individuals.
They found that four specific genes: SNORD3D, HLA_AS1, EGR1, and NPM1, are less active in people with PAH.
This discovery is an important step in understanding the biological causes of the disease.
These genes, which were previously overlooked, may be important in the development and progression of PAH. The study findings have been published in the journal Respiratory Medicine.
Dr. Rana said, “Our study provides new information about the molecular pathways involved in PAH. By focusing on these less active genes, we can discover targeted approaches to treatment and develop diagnostic tools that are more accurate and effective.”
Currently, the diagnosis and management of PAH are challenging due to the lack of specific diagnostic methods, and the disease often remains undetected until it becomes severe.
Existing treatments primarily manage symptoms rather than addressing the root causes.
This discovery could lead to the development of therapies that address the genetic problems of PAH, resulting in more effective and personalized treatments. Additionally, this discovery could help create diagnostic tests to detect PAH earlier and more accurately.
This could also lead to personalised medicine, which customises treatment according to an individual’s genetic profile. This could soon become a reality for PAH patients, offering hope for better outcomes and quality of life.
The groundbreaking work of Dr Rana and his team is an important step in the fight against pulmonary arterial hypertension.
