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Researchers have found that the association between heavy coffee consumption and kidney dysfunction hinges on a common genetic variation. The researchers showed that markers of kidney dysfunction were nearly three times higher in heavy coffee drinkers with a variant of the CYP1A2 gene that makes them slow metabolizers of caffeine than for other heavy coffee drinkers who had a different version of the gene that enables faster caffeine metabolism. "We think fast metabolizers can eliminate caffeine from their systems more efficiently and avoid harmful build-ups," said Ahmed El-Sohemy. "These individual differences in caffeine metabolism help explain why previous studies on...

Revealing zinc's interaction with a critical transport protein underscores the need to study biological pathways under physiologically relevant conditions. Heavy metals in the body have long been thought to induce the aggregation of disease-linked proteins, but a study shows this is not always the case. It turns out that zinc ions tune the ability of human serum albumin (HSA), an abundant transport protein in the body, to better prevent α-synuclein from aggregating, a process directly linked to Parkinson's disease. The finding should "open new avenues for preventive treatments," says Samah Al-Harthi, a Ph.D. student. The unexpected role for zinc discovered...

Human serum albumin from transgenic rice could ease shortages of donated blood. One can't squeeze blood from a turnip, but new research suggests that a bit of transgenic tweaking may make it possible to squeeze blood — or at least blood protein — from a grain of rice. In a study published online today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers describe rice seeds that can produce substantial quantities of a blood protein called human serum albumin, or HSA1. HSA is in high demand around the world, both for its role in drug and vaccine production and...

BBC NEWS Chinese hospitals used fake drips: Chinese investigators say nearly 60 hospitals and pharmacies in north-eastern China have been using fake blood protein in patients' drips. Albumin, or plasma protein, is used to treat patients suffering from shock and burns and during open-heart surgery. Experts suggest that the fake product could be life-threatening for those already in a serious condition. The scandal is the latest to expose weaknesses in China's regulation of food and drug standards. Big profit: The food and drug administration in the north-eastern state of Jilin found 18 hospitals and more than 30 pharmacies sold or...

BEIJING - China said Monday it was investigating the sale of fake blood protein, a potentially dangerous and widespread practice that underscores the country’s problems with product safety. State media reported one death from use of the counterfeits, but authorities have not said whether anyone has fallen ill. A shortage of albumin, a blood protein that chronically ill people often lack, triggered a nationwide investigation in March into whether fakes were being sold, China Central Television said. The report centered on an inquiry in the northeastern province of Jilin, where 59 hospitals and pharmacies were sold more than 2,000 bottles...

Substance levels point to high blood pressure (ANSA) - Genoa, February 24 - The kidney can give important signs of the dangers of a heart attack or stroke, Genoa University researchers say . Until now, a slight increase in the secretion of a substance called albumin - similar to albumen or egg white - was considered normal, the researchers say . But such a rise is now believed to be a danger sign or 'red flag' showing that these patients have dangerously high blood pressure and are thus at greater risk of heart attacks, the Genoa team says . By...