The study by a team from Manchester shows how migration to the UK has significantly altered the 'IGF system' (Insulin-like Growth Factor) proteins in a migrant Gujarati population who, in India, have a lower incidence of heart disease.
It appears to explain the high rates of heart disease in South Asians living in Britain. The data also uncoversa potentially important biological signpost that could identify others at risk.
The study, to be presented at a joint meeting of the British Endocrine Societies with the European Federation of Endocrine Societies today, compares a migrant South Asian population in Birmingham with an equivalent and related population living in Gujarat, North-West India. It indicates that moving to the UK and adopting western influences on diet - and consequential weight gain - significantly affects the levels of IGF-I, IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-3 in their bodies. These proteins are components of a metabolic system that, when disrupted, is linked to hypertension, vascular disease and heart failure.
The scientists studied energy and fat intakes. They found that both fat and calorie intake was over 35 per cent higher for migrant women, and over 50 per cent higher for migrant men compared to those in the Gujarati villages. This was associated with significant changes in the IGF system, which is a major regulator of metabolism in humans. Disturbances in the IGF system are also associated with many cancers.
Dr Adrian Heald noted that migrant South Asian populations suffer a higher incidence of heart disease than their relatives in the country of origin, and 30-40 per cent higher prevalence than national UK rates.
He added that changes in the IGF system have been shown to be a significant contributory factor to developing heart disease.
"Our work is further evidence that the UK diet increases the chances of developing heart disease. This may have a more pronounced effect on migrant populations that have changed their dietary habits, but we expect that individuals of all races and nationalities have varying susceptibility to IGF system disturbances and therefore heart disease risk," said Heald.