Bray conducted research on microRNA. microRNA is the RNA associated with protein regulation, to some extent. The study concluded that blacks tend to have a lower level of miR-376c, a type of microRNA, than whites. As levels of miR-376c get lower, an increase in production of the protein PAR4 happens. This protein is what tells the platelets to start clotting. From this data, Bray concluded that the platelets in blacks form clots more than the platelets in whites.
This is where the explanation of different medications that are going to be needed comes in. Aspirin may work well on whites, but may not be strong enough for blacks; or vice versa, aspirin may work well on blacks but may thin out whites blood too much. New medications may need to start having target groups based on ethnicities as it is seen that genetics cause different clotting amounts.
I found this interesting due to the fact that I am mixed (hence my other blogs talking about research associated with different races). I have donated blood plenty of times and noticed that my blot does not like to clot in the timely, 4-hour manner that the nurse tells you to keep your bandage on for. I can take the band aid off after four hours, and I'll still be bleeding a little bit for about four more hours. With that being said, it seems like my clotting factors favor the white side. I wonder what would make me more susceptible to one side's clotting tendencies versus the other? Why wouldn't I be in just a middle point?
This is a very interesting article. Seeing how I am mixed too I have experienced the opposite effects than you. I tend to stop bleeding pretty quick. Blood clotting is a concern of mine since my grandfather who is white is on blood thinners due to having several heart attacks. So now I wonder if when I get older if I have this problem what kind of medicine will I have to take.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting that your white grandparent is on blood thinners. It almost makes you wonder if you're highly susceptible to heart attacks on both sides of your family. To keep it from happening, it will probably be strongly a matter of how well you keep up with your health and fitness since your genetics seem to be against you.
DeleteSuper neat info! I have never thought about it this way. I know that my dad will take aspirin once to be on the safe side. Going back to the example u gave of the bandage, man mine probably takes half the time or less to heal up. Now I'm thinking, that can't be all too great either.
ReplyDeleteYeah. This article immediately made me think of what happens when I donate blood an what this could possibly mean about my blood, whether good or bad.
DeleteTypically when I think of coagulation disorders and the associated pathology I think of ITP, DIC, Hemophilia A, Von Willebrand’s disease, etc. These are rather obvious/glamorous examples of coagulopathies with known consequences. This new research shows a more nuanced difference in blood clot formation. The result is not a pathologic bleeding disorder, but disparate survival rates of stroke and heart attacks among ethnicities. This is potentially very important for effective treatments, since blacks are twice as likely to die as whites.
ReplyDeleteI agree. I wouldn't have necessarily thought of using ethnic backgrounds as a new way to treat people.
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