Khaberni - Researchers reveal a strong link between a severe form of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy and a set of genes, one of which is believed to be the main factor in this condition.
This discovery is associated with a condition known as "Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG)," a severe form of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, which may affect up to 10.8% of pregnant women and can be so debilitating in some cases as to prevent the sufferers from eating and drinking, and may sometimes require hospitalization.
The largest genetic study conducted to date on this condition shows that the gene responsible for the production of the hormone "Growth Differentiation Factor 15" (GDF15) is most strongly linked to it, supporting previous hypotheses about its likely role in severe pregnancy vomiting.
Researchers also identified six additional genes associated with the condition, including one that may affect the production of the hormone "GLP-1," responsible for regulating appetite and blood sugar levels, which is also linked to type 2 diabetes.
Researchers hope that these findings will contribute to the development of new treatments targeting genetic and hormonal pathways related to the disease, potentially opening up more effective ways for prevention and treatment.
Marlena Figeo, the lead researcher in the study from Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California, said that the results "help gain a deeper understanding of the condition, and may contribute to future improvements in diagnosis, treatment, and possibly prevention." Figeo also serves as a consultant at a pharmaceutical company working on testing a treatment targeting the GDF15 hormone.
It was previously believed that pregnancy hormone (hCG) or estrogen were the main cause of severe nausea during pregnancy, given their high levels in early stages. However, this study shifts the focus towards GDF15 as the most influential factor.
Researchers relied on the analysis of genetic data from about 11,000 women with severe pregnancy vomiting compared to more than 420,000 non-affected pregnancy cases, with a diverse range of ethnic backgrounds including European, Asian, African, and Latin.
The results showed ten genes associated with an increased risk of the condition, with GDF15 being the most prominent across different populations. Nonetheless, the researchers emphasize that these results represent "statistical associations" and are not conclusive evidence of causality.
The team also revealed another genetic association with the TCF7L2 gene linked to type 2 diabetes, which may affect the regulation of the GLP-1 hormone, targeted in drugs such as "Ozempic" and "Wegovy."
Researchers believe this gene could be a promising target for developing future treatments for the condition.
In addition, the study showed that some genes are associated with learning and memory processes, and others with regulating appetite, without clear links to the hormones hCG or estrogen, reshaping the traditional understanding of the causes of the disease.
Experts confirm that these findings enhance the central role of the GDF15 pathway in severe pregnancy vomiting, with ongoing research needed to understand the precise mechanisms.
Research teams plan to launch a clinical trial soon to test the drug "Metformin" in women with a history of the condition, aiming to reduce the body's sensitivity to GDF15 before pregnancy, thereby alleviating the severity of symptoms.
