Berlin (dapd). High cholesterol levels are also in the genes: how much, which releases the livers of the notorious substance in the blood, determined a genetic information. Researchers from Germany and Denmark were able to demonstrate this connection. The concerned hereditary occurs in different versions: A version of the gene protects against high cholesterol levels, the other not. According to the scientists this so-called SORT1 gene could provide a target for new drugs, to block the release of too much cholesterol from the liver into the blood, because for high cholesterol is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Report on their findings the researchers to Thomas Willnow of the Max Delbrück Center for molecular medicine in Berlin in the journal “cell metabolism”(Online-Vorabveroeffentlichung,_doi:_10.1016/j.cmet.2010.08.006).

The genome research with the help of mice could clarify the function of the SORT1 gene: you had targeted turned the gene in the laboratory animals, so that it could no longer exercise its function. As a result, the mice despite high fat diet had 20 per cent less cholesterol in the blood as animals with SORT1. Through further research, the research team found out also how SORT1 works. It is a factor which ensures that the liver releases more efficient cholesterol. This means that people with an active SORT1 Gene Variant pay much cholesterol in the blood, and thus have a higher risk to suffer a heart attack. People who take a less active Gene Variant, pour out, however, less cholesterol – and are protected.

Cholesterol is but not always a bad thing. The body needs the substance for its cells, for example, to the structure of cell membranes or as a building block for hormones. Cholesterol is made by the body itself or absorbed through the diet. It is first stored in the liver and given if necessary in the blood. Excess cholesterol must withdraw the liver so it clogged not the blood vessels, leading to the so-called arteriosclerosis. If you have a high cholesterol level, runs the risk to suffer a heart attack if he persistently not with an appropriate diet and medicines thus.

The researchers stress that the unfavourable version of SORT1 is only one of many heart attack risk factors. It is not sufficient therefore to test, does anyone have the Gene Variant by SORT1. “Heart-vascular risks relate to many different factors”, says Thomas Willnow. People with the “healthy Gene Variant” can get high cholesterol, when other adverse factors such as unhealthy diet and overweight in the game. Therefore plead the researchers for a healthy lifestyle – a low fat diet and much movement.