For a lucky few, ‘dioxins’ might be heart healthy

Dioxins and dioxin-like compounds have long been considered toxic compounds. All people have receptors on their cells that respond to the presence of these compounds (and no other known compounds). So, for many years, it has been assumed that this receptor has no beneficial role. The problem observed in people exposed to dioxins is hypotension. Cardiologist, Lars Lind, immediately assumed that the dioxins must interfere with the body’s mechanism for allowing the blood vessels to dilate to reduce blood pressure. After making his hypothesis, he found a select group of people with a mutated dioxin-receptor gene. He found that when he injected people with a dioxin-like chemical, people with a “normal” receptor, the vessels constricted and blood pressure rose. In people with the mutant gene, initially, the vessels constricted and blood pressure rose, but quickly thereafter, the vessels dilated and blood pressure dropped. Therefore, this mutated gene may have benefits for the heart. Also, it was noted that the mutated gene is located on a segment of DNA that does not code for a protein.

I find this interesting because it serves as a good reminder of how little we actually understand about how we work. The more we understand about our own genome, the better we will be able to manipulate it, and I find the potential of gene therapy fascinating.

http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/57114/title/Science_%2B_the_Public__For_a_lucky_few%2C_%E2%80%98dioxins%E2%80%99_might_be_heart_healthy