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LSP1

A Link Between White Blood Cells & Blood Pressure (LSP1)

Written by Jasmine Foster, BSc, BEd on January 20th, 2021

The LSP1 gene helps white blood cells stick to surfaces and move around the body. What is its connection to blood pressure? Find out here.

Summary

LSP1 encodes lymphocyte specific protein 1. Variants of LSP1 may play a role in high blood pressure by increasing white blood cell counts and inflammation. Lifestyle, diet, and supplement modifications may counteract the effects of these variants by reducing WBC activity.

LSP1 and Blood Pressure

The LSP1 gene encodes lymphocyte specific protein 1. This protein is mainly expressed in white blood cells (WBCs) and in the lining of blood vessels. It is believed to help WBCs stick to the surface of other tissues and move around in the body to where they are needed [R, R].

LSP1 is especially important for white blood cells to move through the lining of blood vessels, out of the blood and into inflamed or damaged tissues [R].

White blood cell (WBC) count is believed to be linked to high blood pressure. In fact, even among people within the normal range of blood pressure, those with higher WBC count tend to have higher blood pressure. Furthermore, high numbers of circulating WBCs may increase susceptibility to heart disease in people with high blood pressure [R, R, R].

At least one variant in the LSP1 gene has been associated with high blood pressure. Researchers currently aren’t sure exactly why this association exists; it is possible that LSP1’s effect on the movement of WBCs explains the link. Higher WBC count also increases inflammation, which in turn can increase blood pressure [R, R, R, R].

The LSP1 gene helps white blood cells stick to surfaces and move around the body. Higher WBC activity can be inflammatory and lead to increased blood pressure.

Your LSP1 Results for Blood Pressure

SNP Table

variant	genotype	frequency	risk allele
rs4980379

LSP1 rs4980379 [R]

‘C’ = Associated with relatively lower blood pressure
‘T’ = Associated with relatively higher blood pressure
The ‘T’ allele may increase the movement of WBCs and increase inflammation in the blood vessels [R, R, R, R].

Recommendations

Avoid Cigarettes

Tobacco smoke is well-known to cause inflammation. It stimulates white blood cells to produce inflammatory signals; long-term exposure to cigarettes produces enough inflammation and oxidative stress to damage the blood vessels. LSP1 is among the genes that researchers are investigating as a potential part of this process [R, R].

Smoking causes an immediate but reversible increase in systolic and diastolic blood pressure mainly due to nicotine. Over time, smoking gradually damages the blood vessels and raises central blood pressure. As a result, it increases the risk of organ damage, especially in people with high baseline blood pressure [R, R, R, R].

Electronic cigarettes may also raise blood pressure, especially if they contain nicotine. However, switching from tobacco smoking to electronic cigarettes may improve blood pressure regulation [R, R].

In children and adolescents, passive exposure to tobacco smoke significantly increases systolic blood pressure [R].

Long-term cigarette smoke exposure increases inflammation and may damage the blood vessels; LSP1 may be a part of this process.

Improve Sleep Quality

Interrupted or poor quality sleep can increase the markers of inflammation, including white blood cell count. This effect may be especially dramatic in people predisposed to high WBCs. Make sure to get enough sleep at around the same time each night to help keep inflammation down [R, R].

A poor sleep quality has been associated with higher systolic (by 4.37 mmHg) and diastolic (by 1.25 mmHg) blood pressure. Short sleep duration also increases the risk of hypertension by approximately 50% in both adolescents and adults. Excessive sleeping (over 9 hours) also increased the risk in adults, although to a lower extent [R, R, R, R].

Poor sleep quality may increase white blood cell count and blood pressure.

Mediterranean Diet

The high-carb “Western diet” has been associated with increased white blood cell (WBC) count and increased inflammation. Reducing carbs in your diet may help bring down elevated WBCs and reduce inflammation [R, R, R, R].

A popular anti-inflammatory alternative to a Western diet is the Mediterranean diet, rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fish, and olive oil [R].

A meta-analysis of 30 clinical trials found that adherence to a Mediterranean diet helps prevent heart disease by lowering systolic (by ~3 mmHg) and diastolic (by ~2 mmHg) blood pressure in people with normal values. In those with hypertension, this diet lowered systolic blood pressure by 1.44 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure by 0.7 mmHg [R, R].

When compared to other diets, the Mediterranean diet is especially effective at lowering diastolic blood pressure. A meta-analysis found it only effective for this purpose, while another one ranked it 3rd in terms of diastolic pressure-lowering effect (after the DASH and Paleolithic diets) [R, R].

A high-carbohydrate Western diet may increase white blood cell count; switching to an anti-inflammatory Mediterranean diet may decrease blood pressure.

Jasmine Foster

BSc, BEd

Jasmine received her BS from McGill University and her BEd from Vancouver Island University.

Jasmine loves helping people understand their brains and bodies, a passion that grew out of her dual background in biology and education. From the chem lab to the classroom, everyone has the right to learn and make informed decisions about their health.

Disclaimer

The information on this website has not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration or any other official medical body. This information is presented for educational purposes only, and may not be used to diagnose or treat any illness or disease.

Also keep in mind that the “Risk Score” presented in this post is based only on a select number of SNPs, and therefore only represents a small portion of your total risk as an individual. Furthermore, these analyses are based primarily on associational studies, which do not necessarily imply causation. Finally, many other (non-genetic) factors can also play a significant role in the development of a disease or health condition — therefore, carrying any of the risk-associated genotypes discussed in this post does not necessarily mean you are at increased risk of developing a major health condition.

Always consult your doctor before acting on any information or recommendations discussed in this post — especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have been officially diagnosed with a medical condition.

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Summary LSP1 and Blood Pressure Your LSP1 Results for Blood Pressure

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A Link Between White Blood Cells & Blood Pressure (LSP1)

Summary

LSP1 and Blood Pressure

Your LSP1 Results for Blood Pressure

SNP Table

Recommendations

Avoid Cigarettes

Improve Sleep Quality

Mediterranean Diet

Disclaimer

More heart & blood vessels blogs

Content

Unlock Personalized Results And So Much More!

Essential Bundle

Essential

Bundle

Ultimate Bundle

Limited Time Offer 25% Off

Individual DNA Reports

Methylation Pathway - MTHFR Test

Histamine Intolerance DNA Pathway Report

Gut Health, Digestion & IBS DNA Report

Autoimmune Disease Risk & Prevention DNA Report

See all reports

Policies

About

Navigation

Health reports