Researchers have developed a genetically modified rice to treat hypertension without causing adverse side effects as is the case with ACE inhibitors, a treatment commonly used by hypertensives.
- Hypertension is characterized by abnormally high blood pressure in the blood vessels
- Researchers have introduced a gene into rice plants composed of nine hypertensive peptides
- Tested on rats, this rice would lead to a significant reduction in hypertension, without causing any undesirable side effects
Arterial hypertension is the most common chronic disease in France, with one in three adults affected. First preventable cause of stroke, hypertension is characterized by a abnormally high blood pressure in blood vessels and constitutes, when uncontrolled, “one of the main causes of cardiovascular, cerebrovascular or neurodegenerative complications (myocardial infarction, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease…)”according to Inserm.
Commonly prescribed treatments for hypertension include ACE inhibitors (enzyme convertingangiotensin), which dilate blood vessels and lower blood pressure. However, there are many undesirable side effects (headaches, dry cough, dizziness and dizziness, drowsiness, swelling of the face, mouth or throat, etc.).
A food to treat hypertension without side effects
Researchers have therefore undertaken to genetically modify rice, one of the most consumed foods in the world, in order to introduce several hypertensive peptides. Their work has been published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. Specifically, they introduced a gene consisting of nine ACE-inhibiting peptides and one blood vessel relaxant peptide into rice plants.
By testing their innovation on hypertensive rats for 5 weeks, the researchers realized that this genetically modified rice led to a significant reduction in hypertension, without causing any undesirable side effects. “Reported to a human of 68kg, it would be necessary to eat barely half a tablespoon of this rice daily to prevent and treat hypertension”, they write. Although spectacular, this discovery requires further study, especially on the human body.
Age and lifestyle
Hypertension is a silent disease that affects people of advanced age more: less than 10% of patients are 18-34 years old against more than 65% over 65 years old. It is estimated that half of the people who have it would not know it. According to Inserm, aging promotes the loss of elasticity of the arteries, which constitutes “thee first non-modifiable risk factor. But other risk factors are determined by habits or a lifestyle that can be changed: overweight, sedentary lifestyle, high salt consumption, tobacco or alcohol..”
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