The Hindu Business Line : Indian researchers identify pancreatitis genes

DOING INDIA PROUD: (From left) The Director of the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Mr Lalji Singh, the Chief of the Asian Institute of Gastroentorology (AIG), Mr Nageshwar D. Reddy, and Mr G. V. Rao, Chief Surgeon, Gastro Instestinal Diseases, (AIG) addressing a press conference in Hyderabad on Friday. — Satish H

Hyderabad , April 7

Indian researchers have taken a global lead in cracking the genetic causes for a form of chronic pancreatitis. They have identified, for the first time, two genes, which are responsible for the disease, which is spreading across several States in India and South Asia.

Mutations in SPINK1 and Cathepsin B genes, say the researchers from the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) and the Asian Institute of Gastroentorology (AIG), Hyderabad, can independently lead to the disease. Their identification can help in developing genetic screening for early detection and preventive measures such as restriction on diet, lifestyle modifications etc.

The discovery of Cathepsin B gene and its role in Tropical Calcific Pancreatitis (TCP), unique to tropical countries such as India has been published by them in the leading medical journal GUT. The CCMB and AIG researchers had identified SPINK1 gene, a couple of years ago.

Chronic pancreatitis is caused by dysfunction of pancreas, which secretes insulin that synthesis sugar and enzymes that help in digestion. In western countries, it is caused more by mutation of trypsinogen gene and alcohol. TCP, being absent there, did not evince much interest.

However, in India for over 40 years, gastroenterologists and scientists have probed several factors that could be the main cause for the disease, said Dr D. Nageshwar Reddy, Chief of AIG.

Known initially as `Kerala Pancreatitis', (because of its prevalence predominantly in certain pockets in the State), TCP has spread to Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh as well. Patients develop the problem early in teens have severe abdominal pain, lose weight, become diabetic and finally end up with chronic pancreatitis by mid-40's, he told newspersons today.

Dr G.R. Chandak, lead researcher from the CCMB in the collaborative project, said 140 patients of TCP and 155 healthy individuals from Andhra Pradesh and 166 patients and 175 healthy persons tracked by Prof Varghese Thomas from Kozhikode were involved in the landmark study.

He felt the discovery of specific Cathespin B gene variants could explain the occurrence of different types of chronic pancreatitis in patients without trypsinogen mutation all over the world also.

Dr Lalji Singh, Director of CCMB, said the more than 5-year project was an excellent example of collaborative research between practicing doctors and basic researchers, yielding world-class results. More such collaborations were a must for India to make a mark at the global level in the fast growing areas of genetics.

The CCMB, AIG researchers are taking forward their studies to understand the genetic basis of other gastro-intestinal disorders.

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