Tuesday December 19 10:10 AM ET
Possible Obesity-Influencing Genes Identified

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Scientists say they have identified two interacting genes that may play a role in obesity.

Dr. Ahmed H. Kissebah of the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, and colleagues report that a gene found on chromosome 3 and another gene found on chromosome 17 could be acting in concert, impacting several factors that lead to obesity such as blood insulin levels and hip circumference.

The team of researchers analyzed the DNA of nearly 2, 500 people from 500 families of Northern European descent.

``We believe that we have identified parts of an interactive system that may help regulate body metabolism,'' Kissebah said in an interview with Reuters Health.

At this time the researchers can not say what, if any, significance this finding may have on the treatment or prevention of obesity.

However, they hope future research will help to further characterize the genetic mechanism involved.

The complete report is published in the December 19th issue of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

SOURCE: Proceedings of the National Academy of Science 2000;97:14478-

http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/200.../obesity_1.html