Characteristics of and changes in the cardiometabolic measures of Japanese workers grouped according to their vegetables and salt intake through workplace cafeteria meals.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to objectively evaluate the diet consumed in a workplace cafeteria to group Japanese workers according to vegetables and salt intake and estimate the association of these groups with changes in cardiometabolic measurements. DESIGN: This longitudinal observational study estimated the food and nutrient intake of Japanese workers from data recorded in the cafeteria system of their workplace. The primary outcomes included cardiometabolic measures obtained via regular health check-ups conducted at the workplace. The participants were divided into four groups according to high or low vegetables and salt intake based on their respective medians and the association of each group with cardiometabolic measurement changes was estimated using robust regression with MM-estimation. SETTING: A Japanese automobile manufacturing factory. SUBJECTS: The study included 1,140 men and women workers with available cafeteria and health check-up data. RESULTS: An inverse marginal association was observed between changes in triglyceride levels and high vegetables and low salt intake (ß: -9.93, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -20.45, 0.59, p: 0.065) with reference to low vegetables and high salt intake. This association was stronger in participants who used the cafeteria more frequently (>71 days; ß: -13.55, 95% CI: -25.51, -1.60, p: 0.027). CONCLUSIONS: The participants in the higher vegetables and lower salt intake group were more likely to exhibit decreased triglyceride levels. These findings encourage using workplace cafeteria meals to promote the health of workers.

Relationship between trunk intramuscular adipose tissue content and prevalence of metabolic syndrome in middle-aged Japanese men.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to examine the dose-response relationship between trunk tissue composition and prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in middle-aged Japanese men. METHODS: The 1026 men (between 35 and 59 y of age) who participated in the present study were divided into two groups: those with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and those without (non-MetS). Intramuscular adipose tissue (IntraMAT) content and the cross-sectional areas (CSAs) of visceral adipose tissue and skeletal muscle tissue were calculated using low-dose computed tomography images acquired at the level of the third lumbar vertebra. Height, body mass, body fat, waist circumference, the presence of MetS, and lifestyle habits were also assessed. RESULTS: IntraMAT content was significantly higher in MetS than in non-MetS men. A 10% increase in IntraMAT content correlated with the prevalence of MetS (odds ratio, 4.197; 95% confidence interval, 3.108-7.088; P < 0.001), even after adjustments for age, height, adjusted skeletal muscle CSA, sleeping time, alcohol consumption, exercise habit, and cigarette smoking. Skeletal muscle CSA did not correlate with the prevalence of MetS after adjustments for IntraMAT content and other cofactors. CONCLUSIONS: Increase in IntraMAT content, not in skeletal muscle CSA, significantly correlated with the prevalence of MetS. These results suggest that countermeasures against the accumulation of trunk IntraMAT effectively prevent MetS in middle-aged Japanese men.

Skeletal muscle and abdominal circumference explain intramuscular fat, independent of exercise frequency, in middle-aged Japanese men.

The purpose of this study was to examine how intramuscular adipose tissue (IntraMAT) can be characterized using physical and functional characteristics, muscle size, and/or adipose tissue in four different exercise frequency groups of middle-aged Japanese men. One thousand twenty-eight middle-aged men (age, 47.5 ± 8.1 years; height, 170.5 ± 5.8 cm; body mass, 67.0 ± 9.3 kg; body mass index, 21.9 ± 5.3 kg/m2) were allocated to four groups on the basis of their weekly exercise frequency: Group 1, no exercise, n = 334; Group 2, once a week, n = 271; Group 3, a few days a week, n = 269; and Group 4, every day, n = 154. Their body composition, blood pressure, and handgrip strength were assessed. A single-slice computerized tomography image at the level of the umbilicus was acquired and the CSAs of IntraMAT, muscle tissue, and subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissues (SCAT and VAT) were calculated. The %IntraMAT significantly correlated with physical characteristics, such as age, BMI, abdominal circumference, and muscle tissue CSA. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was performed, with the %IntraMAT as the dependent variable. Muscle tissue CSA and abdominal circumference were the common independent variables across groups to explain the variability of the %IntraMAT. It was also extracted %body fat and age for Group 2, age, handgrip strength, and BMI for Group 3, and smoking category for Group 4. These results suggested that muscle tissue size and abdominal circumference would be the strong predictors to explain %IntraMAT of the trunk muscle across four groups, and that age, %body fat, BMI, and SCAT, handgrip strength and smoking category were also good predictors for each group with different exercise frequency in middle-aged Japanese men.

Comparison of metabolic risk factors, physical performances, and prevalence of low back pain among categories determined by visceral adipose tissue and trunk skeletal muscle mass in middle-aged men.

The present study compared metabolic risk factors, physical performances, and musculoskeletal impairment among categories determined by visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and trunk skeletal muscle (SM) mass in middle-aged Japanese men. In total, 1026 healthy Japanese males aged between 35 and 59 years were categorized into 4 groups according to the amount of VAT and SM in the trunk measured using low-dose computed tomography (LowVAT-HighSM, LowVAT-LowSM, HighVAT-HighSM, and HighVAT-LowSM). Height, body mass waist circumference, body fat, intramuscular adipose tissue (IntraMAT), subcutaneous adipose tissue, biochemical blood profiles (triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase and γ-glutamyl trans peptidase), physical performances (trunk flexibility, the chair-stand test, two-step length and hand-grip strength), the prevalence of low back pain, and lifestyle habits for exercise, alcohol intake and smoking, were compared among the groups. The results showed that LowVAT-HighSM had significantly superior biochemical blood profiles and physical performances to the other groups. HighVAT-LowSM had significantly higher %IntraMAT and the prevalence of low back pain. The two-step length, which is an index of walking ability, significantly differed according to the four subject categories. These results indicate that metabolic risk factors, physical performances, and prevalence of low back pain in middle-aged Japanese men may differ among four categories determined by VAT and trunk SM.

Self-Assembled Palmitoyl-Glycine-Histidine as a Permeation Enhancer for Transdermal Delivery.

The stratum corneum (SC) covers the outer surface of the skin and prevents the permeation of unwanted materials; however, the SC barrier also inhibits the desired permeation of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). Therefore, the development of a novel method to enhance the permeation of APIs through the skin has been the focus of significant attention. Palmitoyl-glycine-histidine (Pal-GH)-comprising palmitic acid, glycine, and histidine-can be co-assembled with various additives to form a thixotropic hydrogel. Self-assembled Pal-GH enhances the permeation of ivermectin through the skin; however, the permeation mechanism is unclear and has not yet been discussed in detail. In the present study, the self-assembled structure of Pal-GH was analyzed using X-rays and infrared, and its permeation enhancement effect was verified. There was a correlation between the amount of Pal-GH in the skin and permeation enhancement, suggesting the involvement of the Pal-GH molecule. The presence of Pal-GH in the skin was confirmed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and fluorescence labeling (labeling with Thioflavin T, a fluorescent dye that responds to ß-sheets). The self-assembled Pal-GH permeated the SC without disrupting its organization. However, the structure of the Pal-GH caused changes to the lipid organization of the SC. The findings indicated that self-assembled Pal-GH is an effective permeation enhancer for transdermal delivery and does not induce skin irritation.

Poor toe flexor strength, but not handgrip strength, is associated with the prevalence of diabetes mellitus in middle-aged males.

Previous studies suggested that reduced muscular strength was one of the potential predictor of prevalence of diabetes mellitus. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between toe flexor strength (TFS) and handgrip strength (HGS) and the prevalence of diabetes mellitus. Cross-sectional analysis was conducted using data from 1,390 Japanese males (35-59 years). TFS and HGS were measured and medical examinations undertaken. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus was defined as fasting blood glucose ≥126 mg/dL, glycated hemoglobin ≥6.5% (48 mmol/mol), and/or current use of anti-diabetes mellitus drugs. A total of 114 participants had diabetes mellitus. TFS in participants with diabetes mellitus was significantly lower than that in persons not suffering from diabetes mellitus but HGS was not. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) per 1-standard deviation-increase in muscular strength measurements for the prevalence of diabetes mellitus were obtained using a multiple logistic regression model. Prevalence of diabetes mellitus was inversely related to TFS (OR 0.769, 95% CI 0.614-0.963), TFS/body mass (BM) (0.696, 0.545-0.889) and TFS/body mass index (BMI) (0.690, 0.539-0.882) after adjustment of covariates. Such associations were not observed in HGS (OR 0.976, 95% CI 0.773-1.232), HGS/BM (0.868, 0.666-1.133) or HGS/BMI (0.826, 0.642-1.062). These results suggested that poor TFS was associated with an increased prevalence of diabetes mellitus independent of visceral fat accumulation, but HGS was not, in middle-aged males. TFS may be a better marker for the prevalence of diabetes mellitus than HGS.

Association of body flexibility and carotid atherosclerosis in Japanese middle-aged men: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the associations of body flexibility with carotid arterial remodelling, including intima-media thickness (IMT) and plaque formation in middle-aged men. METHODS: The subjects of this cross-sectional study included 1354 Japanese men aged 35-59 years without histories of stroke or cardiac diseases. The arm extensibility test, which can estimate flexibility of the upper extremity (composed of shoulder external rotation and forearm supination), and the sit-and-reach test were performed. Common carotid IMT and plaque formation (≥1.1 mm) were estimated by ultrasound. RESULTS: The proportion of subjects who fully completed the arm extensibility test was 55.0%, and who had plaques in the common carotid artery was 37.8%. IMT was associated with poor arm extensibility (ß=-0.073, 95% CI -0.02224 to -0.00041, P=0.004), while plaque formation was associated with poor sit-and-reach (OR 0.98579, 95% CI 0.97257 to 0.99919, P=0.038) after adjustment by all covariates. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that poor upper extremity and trunk flexibility were associated with characteristics of early onset of atherosclerosis. Furthermore, these associations were independent of covariates such as age, blood pressure, blood lipids glucose levels and abdominal fat accumulation, handgrip strength and lifestyle, including sleeping, drinking, exercise and smoking habits. Poor flexibility may reflect subclinical atherosclerosis in middle-aged men.

Age-related reduction and independent predictors of toe flexor strength in middle-aged men.

BACKGROUND: Toe flexor muscles play an important role in posture and locomotion, and poor toe flexor strength is a risk factor for falls. In this cross-sectional study, we estimated the age-related change in toe flexor strength and compared it with that of handgrip strength. Independent factors predicting toe flexor and handgrip strength were also determined. METHODS: A total of 1401 male (aged 35-59 years) study participants were divided into five groups according to their chronological age; 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, and 55-59 years. Toe flexor and handgrip strength, anthropometry, and resting blood pressure were measured. Fasting blood samples were collected to measure blood glucose, triglycerides, high- and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterols, and albumin. A self-administered lifestyle questionnaire was conducted. RESULTS: Decline in absolute toe flexor and handgrip strength began in the age groups 50-55 and 55-59 years, respectively. In comparison to the mean values of the youngest group, relative toe flexor strength (87.0 ± 26.6%) was significantly lower than handgrip strength (94.4 ± 13.1%) for the oldest group. Multiple regression analyses showed that independent factors predicting both toe flexor and handgrip strength were lean body mass, age, serum albumin, drinking habit, and fat mass. Additionally, fasting blood glucose, diastolic blood pressure, sleeping time and exercise habit were predicting factors of toe flexor strength but not of handgrip strength. CONCLUSIONS: Age-related reduction in toe flexor strength was earlier and greater than handgrip strength, and toe flexor strength reflects body composition and metabolic status.

Early reduction in toe flexor strength is associated with physical activity in elderly men.

[Purpose] To compare the toe flexor, hand grip and knee extensor strengths of young and elderly men, and to examine the association between toe flexor strength and physical activity or inactivity levels. [Subjects and Methods] Young (n=155, 18-23 years) and elderly (n=60, 65-88 years) men participated in this study. Toe flexor, hand grip, and knee extensor strength were measured. Physical activity (time spent standing/walking per day) and inactivity (time spent sitting per day) were assessed using a self-administered questionnaire. [Results] Toe flexor, hand grip, and knee extensor strength of the elderly men were significantly lower than those of the young men. Standing/walking and sitting times of the elderly men were lower than those of the young men. Toe flexor strength correlated with hand grip and knee extensor strength in both groups. In elderly men, toe flexor strength correlated with standing/walking time. In comparison to the young men's mean values, toe flexor strength was significantly lower than knee extensor and hand grip strength in the elderly group. [Conclusion] The results suggest that age-related reduction in toe flexor strength is greater than those of hand grip and knee extensor strengths. An early loss of toe flexor strength is likely associated with reduced physical activity in elderly men.

Preparation and unique pH-responsive properties of novel biodegradable nanocapsules composed of poly(gamma-glutamic acid) and chitosan as weak polyelectrolytes.

Novel biodegradable hollow nanocapsules composed of two kinds of weak polyelectrolytes, CT and gamma-PGA, were successfully prepared by the deposition of their LbL-assembled films onto silica particles and the subsequent removal of the silica. These CT-gamma-PGA hollow nanocapsules showed unique size increases at pH = 1.0, due to the swelling of capsule membranes induced by electrostatic repulsions between ammonium groups of CT components. On the other hand, no significant changes in the capsule size were observed at pH = 4.0, 7.0, and 10. By using the CT-gamma-PGA nanocapsules, the release of encapsulated substances in response to acidic pH values was accomplished.