Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A August 2019 PMID 31332008

Human species-specific loss of CMP--acetylneuraminic acid hydroxylase enhances atherosclerosis via intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms.

Kunio Kawanishi, Chirag Dhar, Raymond Do, Nissi Varki, Philip L S M Gordts, Ajit Varki

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Mentions

108

Peak: 6 in Jul 2019

across 6 sources since Jul 2019

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152,791

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Jul 2019 – Aug 2025

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What people are saying

The digital discussions show a strong interest in the genetic and evolutionary reasons behind human-specific heart disease risk, with examples such as mentions of experiments with 'humanized' mice and the role of the CMAH gene. The tone and choice of scientific terminology, such as 'Neu5Gc' and 'atherosclerosis,' convey deep engagement and emphasize the significance of these findings for understanding disease mechanisms and evolutionary adaptation.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions recognize the significance of the genetic and evolutionary mechanisms described in the publication, with some express support for the idea that loss of certain genes influences heart disease risk.

InterestHigh interest

The posts demonstrate high curiosity about the genetic aspects and implications, especially those related to human evolution and diet.

EngagementModerate engagement

Participants actively analyze the genetic factors, discuss related experiments with genetically modified mice and rats, and connect the findings to broader issues like inflammation and diet.

ImpactHigh impact

The discussions highlight the potential for these findings to influence understanding of cardiovascular risks, medical research, and evolutionary biology, indicating a strong perceived impact.

Abstract in brief

Cardiovascular disease (CVD), primarily caused by atherosclerosis, accounts for one-third of global deaths, with various risk factors like physical inactivity, age, and diet; however, some cases occur without these factors.
Research shows that unlike humans, closely related species (like chimpanzees) rarely experience coronary events, indicating that CVD risk may be unique to humans and linked to genetic changes during evolution, specifically a deficiency in sialic acid Neu5Gc.
Mice engineered to have a human-like Neu5Gc deficiency displayed increased atherosclerosis when on a high-fat diet, suggesting that human dietary consumption of Neu5Gc from red meat can trigger chronic inflammation and worsen heart disease risk

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Gil Carvalho MD PhD

@NutritionMadeS3 · X

@kamil9887182008 it's an interesting question, I´ve seen theories but not sure if anyone understands it well https://t.co/8lLHUUcvTl

May 4, 2025 · 27,814 followers View post →

wawa

@wawa12945132154 · X

RT @fumizukishou_bc: ヒトは近縁種と比べアテローム性動脈硬化症になり易く、その要因に外挿的なNGNA(食餌性)が関連しているだろうという研究肉食だったのは200年前ぐらいまでの話一度絶滅しかけて生き延びたご先祖は獣肉を捨てることによって脳の発達と循環器…

Apr 7, 2025 · 1 share · 25 followers View post →

文月宵(ケトン人)

@fumizukishou_bc · X

May 1, 2024 · 4 likes · 1 share · 720 followers View post →

Ali

@aligg_89 · X

@doaa_dobi https://t.co/QcbujQSgMy

Apr 18, 2024 · 2,460 followers View post →

善意爺

@ezezezee · X

なんで無くしちまったんかね。肥えやすさを創造したのと関係があるのか。氷河期を乗り肥えるためなの鴨。脳が肥えるためには必須だったの鴨。心血管疾患と進化のトレードオフの真価とは何だ。 EZ健康道場 https://t.co/kOXohcUPam https://t.co/uY6yLz4vWa

Feb 27, 2023 · 2 likes · 200 followers View post →

文月宵(ケトン人)

@fumizukishou_bc · X

動物性タンパク質のリスクハザード比と相関するだろ？ https://t.co/k1aNE3ezwc

Dec 8, 2022 · 2 likes · 720 followers View post →

KOJI@プライマルコーチ

@kojija · X

Jul 10, 2022 · 2 likes · 2,310 followers View post →

Salva Iborra

@salva_iborra · X

Aug 23, 2021 · 3 likes · 3,888 followers View post →

Nick

@upRootNutrition · X

@FrogHarmless In this paper, mice were genetically altered such that their genome more closely resembled a human genome with regards to absent Neu5Gc (a red meat derived compound) expression. When these mice were fed Neu5Gc, the RR of atherosclerosis was 2.4.

Jan 11, 2021 · 1 like · 9,488 followers View post →

Sir Patrick

@CLonn01 · X

RT @EstebanDL: 1/2 Experimento en ratas "humanizadas", que explicaría la aterosclerosis Ingerir un Ácido siálico presente en carnes, para e…

Dec 17, 2020 · 4 shares · 183 followers View post →

Fernando García León

@fergale0 · X

RT @EstebanDL: 1/2 Experimento en ratas "humanizadas", que explicaría la aterosclerosis Ingerir un Ácido siálico presente en carnes, para e…

Dec 16, 2020 · 4 shares · 987 followers View post →

Oscar Andres

@OscarAndresMD · X

RT @EstebanDL: 1/2 Experimento en ratas "humanizadas", que explicaría la aterosclerosis Ingerir un Ácido siálico presente en carnes, para e…

Dec 16, 2020 · 4 shares · 553 followers View post →

Juan!

@Juan_13f · X

RT @EstebanDL: 1/2 Experimento en ratas "humanizadas", que explicaría la aterosclerosis Ingerir un Ácido siálico presente en carnes, para e…

Dec 16, 2020 · 4 shares · 109 followers View post →

Larronde Esteban

@EstebanDL · X

Dec 16, 2020 · 27 likes · 4 shares · 23,790 followers View post →

@dermot_ie · X

@whsource Evolution such as CMAH gene loss improved human mobility even though more heart disease https://t.co/nTYyVjOjgZ

Sep 12, 2020 · 27 followers View post →

Chih

@ChihWong · X

RT @BSHeartFailure: Ever wondered why humans get heart attacks and other great apes do not? Humans have a species-specific deficiency of th…

Jul 26, 2019 · 3 shares · 459 followers View post →

María de Ujué Moreno

@MUjueMoreno · X

RT @BSHeartFailure: Ever wondered why humans get heart attacks and other great apes do not? Humans have a species-specific deficiency of th…

Jul 25, 2019 · 3 shares · 84 followers View post →

Yousef Daryani

@ydaryani · X

RT @BSHeartFailure: Ever wondered why humans get heart attacks and other great apes do not? Humans have a species-specific deficiency of th…

Jul 25, 2019 · 3 shares · 978 followers View post →

British Society for Heart Failure #theFword

@BSHeartFailure · X

Jul 25, 2019 · 7 likes · 3 shares · 11,462 followers View post →

David Schmitt

@PsychoSchmitt · X

@Simen_ML found in the original tweet Kunio Kawanishi el al., "Human species-specific loss of CMP-N-acetylneuraminic acid hydroxylase enhances atherosclerosis via intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms," PNAS (2019). https://t.co/asMH6l6erD

Jul 23, 2019 · 1 like · 12,469 followers View post →

Amitabh C. Pandey

@AmitabhCPandey · X

New study in @PNASNews postulating that a single gene may be responsible for ⬆️#atherosclerosis risk in humans from ⬆️ #inflammation #hyperglycemia #redmeat. All from loss of CMAH gene & product #Neu5Gc. Study suggests evolutionary loss of CMAH ⏩ ⬆️ risk https://t.co/HcnIzhRPHy

Jul 23, 2019 · 518 followers View post →

Human species-specific loss of CMP--acetylneuraminic acid hydroxylase enhances atherosclerosis via intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms.

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Impact of Red Meat on Cognitive Health and Longevity

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