The research team led by Professor Xiaohong DUAN from No.4 Military Medical University Stomatology Hospital found the new gene ATP6V1H which would affect the occurrence of osteoporosis. The research result had been published on Theranostics.

Osteoporosis is a common chronic disease, which mostly showed as osteopenia, bone fragility increasing and fracture risk heightening. It threatens the health of elderly. According to Osteoporosis Prevention White Paper on China, the prevalence of osteoporosis in Chinese aged over 50 was 15.7%. There were more than 69.44 million people suffering from osteoporosis. And there were 210 million people whose bone mass were below normal standards.

The research team carried out large numbers of studies on the hereditary disease foundation and clinical cases like dental and skeletal during five years. They found the value of ATP6V1H gene. They confirmed that if mouse lack of this gene would cause a loss of bone mass. It was relevant to the function that this gene would affect the osteoclast.

Through the analyzation of 1,625 Chinese whole-genome dates, the research team proved the relationship between the ATP6V1H gene and the reduction of human bone density. It indicated that this gene was involved in the occurrence of osteoporosis. Professor DUAN pointed out that this gene may be the new target for drug treatment of osteoporosis in the future. Moreover, it has brought new hope for mankind to relive or cure osteoporosis.

Time:2016-10-28

Source: Xinhua