Sex and seasonal variations of plasma retinol, alpha-tocopherol, and carotenoid concentrations in Japanese dietitians.

AIM: To clarify sex and seasonal variations of plasma antioxidant concentrations among middle-aged Japanese. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We investigated sex and seasonal variations of plasma antioxidant concentrations, including retinol, alpha-tocopherol, and carotenoids (alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, lutein and lycopene), in 55 middle-aged dietitians (46 women and 9 men) in Aichi Prefecture, Central Japan, who took no supplements from autumn 1996 to summer 1997. Reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography was used to measure plasma antioxidant concentrations in overnight-fasting blood samples. RESULTS: Plasma levels of alpha-tocopherol, alpha-/beta-carotene, b-cryptoxanthin and lutein were significantly influenced by sex, being significantly higher for women than men in each corresponding season; retinol and lycopene, however, showed no such difference. For women, winter values of alpha-tocopherol, alpha-/beta-carotene, lutein and lycopene were significantly lower than corresponding summer values, and had reached their annual lowest. Retinol failed to show any significant seasonal variation, whereas the winter value of beta-cryptoxanthin had reached its annual highest. For men, beta-cryptoxanthin exhibited significant seasonal changes and was also highest in winter. Winter values of alpha-tocopherol, alpha-/beta-carotene and lycopene were lower compared with other seasons, but not statistically significant, probably due to the small sample size. CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that sex and seasonal variations of plasma antioxidant concentrations should be taken into account in nutritional epidemiologic studies.

Attitudes of Japanese primary care physicians toward publicly endorsed periodic health examinations: a cross sectional survey.

BACKGROUND: Despite the lack of evidence for efficacy, an annual health examination has been advocated for the general population by the Japanese government. We conducted a cross-sectional survey to understand the attitudes of Japanese physicians toward the annual examinations. METHODS: In October 2003, a questionnaire was mailed to 1971 physicians registered with Aichi Prefecture Medical Association as internists. The survey was designed to determine their opinions about the effectiveness of the periodic health examination and each of its components. RESULTS: The response rate was 37%. Eighty-five percent believed that a periodic health examination was effective. Nearly 80% believed that height and weight should be measured, and more than 90% supported blood pressure measurements. Nearly 70% supported a physical examination of chest and abdomen. About half believed that vision and hearing tests should be performed for all ages. More than 90% considered performing a variety of laboratory tests valuable. Three-quarters supported hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis C antibody determinations. Seventy to eighty percent valued the screening tests for lung, stomach, colon, breast and cervical cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Most Japanese primary care physicians believe that a comprehensive annual health examination as currently endorsed by public health authorities is effective.