[Review of sick house syndrome].

'Sick house syndrome' (SHS) is a health issue that closely resembles sick building syndrome (SBS) that had occurred in European countries. The aim of this review is to clarify the characteristics of SHS by reviewing previous reports rigorously. We propose the definition of SHS as "health impairments caused by indoor air pollution, regardless of the place, causative substance, or pathogenesis". Cases of SBS are reported to occur predominantly in offices and sometimes schools, whereas those of SHS are usually found in general dwellings. In many cases, SHS is caused by biologically and/or chemically polluted indoor air. Physical factors might affect the impairments of SHS in some cases. It is considered that symptoms of SHS develop through toxic, allergic and/or some unknown mechanisms. Psychological mechanisms might also affect the development of SHS. It is still unclear whether SBS and SHS are very close or identical clinical entities, mostly because a general agreement on a diagnostic standard for SHS has not been established. Previous research gradually clarified the etiology of SHS. Further advances in research, diagnosis, and treatment of SHS are warranted with the following measures. Firstly, a clinical diagnostic standard including both subjective and objective findings must be established. Secondly, a standard procedure for assessing indoor air contamination should be established. Lastly, as previous research indicated multiple causative factors for SHS, an interdisciplinary approach is needed to obtain the grand picture of the syndrome.

The application of a handheld personal digital assistant with camera and mobile phone card (Wellnavi) to the general population in a dietary survey.

This study was carried out to examine first, the validity of a new dietary assessment method, a handheld personal digital assistant with camera and mobile phone card (Wellnavi), in comparison with a weighed diet record as a reference method and second, the relation between obesity and underreporting in the Wellnavi method in 27 men and 48 women volunteers aged 30-67 y from the general population. On the validity, there were significant correlations (0.32-0.75) between the daily nutrient intakes measured by the Wellnavi method and the weighed diet record method in all the subjects except for some nutrients such as iron, magnesium and vitamin E. Results similar to those from the group of all the subjects were obtained in the men's group and the women's group. In all the subjects and the men's group and the women's group, the differences in the daily nutrient intakes between the two dietary assessment methods were statistically significant. However, good agreement of the differences between the two dietary assessment methods for many daily nutrient intakes was obtained in the nonobese men. The nutrient intakes estimated by the Wellnavi method in all the subjects and the men's group and the women's group were significantly lower than those values estimated by the weighed diet record method except for some nutrients such as sodium, iron and fat-soluble vitamins. With respect to the relation between obesity and underreporting, the obesity in women was not a factor of underreporting in the Wellnavi method, but the presence of this relation was undeniable in the obese men. The reason why the values of daily nutrient intakes in the Wellnavi method were lower than those estimated by the weighed diet record method seemed to be the low quality of the digital photo of the Wellnavi instrument. By improving the digital photo quality of this instrument, the Wellnavi method could become a useful new dietary assessment method to get accurate dietary information from people of a wide range of age and occupation, and a wide variety of physical situations of subjects from the general population.

Development of a new instrument for evaluating individuals' dietary intakes.

OBJECTIVE: With the aim of developing a new dietary instrument for assessing an individual's usual intakes, we evaluated a hand-held personal digital assistant with camera and mobile telephone card, called Wellnavi (Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd, Osaka, Japan). SUBJECTS/SETTING: Twenty-eight college students majoring in food and nutrition in Okayama University of Japan voluntarily participated in this study. DESIGN: Applying a cross-sectional study design, participants were asked to keep 1-day weighed food records. Digital images of all recorded foods were obtained simultaneously and sent to registered dietitians by a mobile telephone card. The following day, a 24-hour recall was obtained. These procedures were repeated after 6 months. Participants' opinions about the three methods were determined using a questionnaire. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Differences in estimated median nutrient intake among the three methods were compared by Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed rank test. Relationships among the nutrient estimates by each method were evaluated using Spearman rank correlation coefficients. RESULTS: We found no significant differences between the Wellnavi method when compared with food records for most nutrients, except zinc, manganese, vitamin E, saturated fatty acid, polyunsaturated fatty acid, and dietary fiber. The median correlation coefficients for the nutrient estimates were 0.66 between the Wellnavi method and the food records. The survey showed that 57.1% of subjects considered the Wellnavi method the least burdensome of the three methods and the least time consuming (16 minutes) to record daily diet. About half of participants indicated that they would be willing to use the Wellnavi for 1 month to record their diet. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that a hand-held digital assistant may be a valid and convenient instrument for evaluating dietary intake.

Assessment of total and segmental body composition in spinal cord-injured athletes in Okayama prefecture of Japan.

This study assessed total and segmental distribution of fat mass (FM) in athletes with spinal cord injury (SCI) and examined the relationships between segmental distribution of fat mass and age, injury level, athletic history, and training load in order to provide useful information for improvements in their physical strength and training. Twenty-five male athletes with SCI participated in the study. The whole bone composition was measured by a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) method for the calculation of bone minerals, FM, and fat-free mass. The percent fat of the trunk, arms, and legs was also calculated. The percent fat in the legs was highest in comparison with that in the trunk and arms (p < 0.001), and the percent fat in the trunk was higher than that in the arms (p < 0.001). The body fat (p < 0.01), waist circumference (p < 0.01), and waist-to-hip ratio (p < 0.0001) were higher in the group aged 40 or older in comparison with that aged 39 or younger. Path analysis revealed that training load was a factor decreasing the percent fat on the arms and trunk (p < 0.01), and athletic history was a factor reducing the percent fat on the arms (p < 0.05). Our study suggests that exercise is effective in reducing the waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, and percent body fat of SCI individuals, and that such effects can help to enhance athletic performance and likely to protect against development of metabolic syndromes resulting from a sedentary lifestyle.

Involvement of oxidative stress in hydroquinone-induced cytotoxicity in catalase-deficient Escherichia coli mutants.

Hydroquinone is a benzene-derived metabolite. To clarify whether the reactive oxygen species (ROS) are involved in hydroquinone-induced cytotoxicity, we constructed transformants of Escherichia coli (E. coli) strains that express mammalian catalase gene derived from catalase mutant mice (Cs(b), Cs(c)) and the wild-type (Cs(a)) using a catalase-deficient E. coli UM255 as a recipient. Specific catalase activities of these tester strains were in order of Cs(a) > Cs(c) > Cs(b) > UM255, and their susceptibility to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) showed UM255 > Cs(b) > Cs(c) > Cs(a). We found that hydroquinone exposure reduced the survival of catalase-deficient E. coli mutants in a dose-dependent manner significantly, especially in the strains with lower catalase activities. Hydroquinone toxicity was also confirmed using zone of inhibition test, in which UM255 was the most susceptible, showing the largest zone of growth inhibition, followed by Cs(b), Cs(c) and Cs(a). Furthermore, we found that hydroquinone-induced cell damage was inhibited by the pretreatment of catalase, ascorbic acid, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), and augmented by superoxide dismutase (both CuZnSOD and MnSOD). The present results suggest that H2O2 is probably involved in hydroquinone-induced cytotoxicity in catalase-deficient E. coli mutants and catalase plays an important role in protection of the cells against hydroquinone toxicity.

Telmisartan inhibits both oxidative stress and renal fibrosis after unilateral ureteral obstruction in acatalasemic mice.

BACKGROUND: Reactive oxygen species are involved in many of the angiotensin II signalling pathways. We have thus investigated whether the angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor antagonist, telmisartan, can inhibit the accelerated renal fibrosis and excess oxidative stress, which occurs after unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) in acatalasemic mice. METHODS: The effect of daily intraperitoneal injection of telmisartan (0.1-0.3 mg/kg body weight) on the renal tubulointerstitial injury induced by UUO has been studied in homozygous acatalasemic mutant mice (C3H/AnLCs b Cs b) and wild-type mice (C3H/AnLCs a Cs a). We evaluated the systemic blood pressure of the mice on the seventh day. In addition, the tubulointerstitial expression of collagens type I and type IV, the p22-, p47- and p67-phox subunits of NADPH oxidase, 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal, and 4-hydroxy-2-hexenal lipid peroxidation products were assessed by immunohistochemistry. The level of apoptosis was determined by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase nick end-labelling analysis, while the mRNA level of the p22-, p47- and p67-phox subunits was quantified by real-time PCR. The renal content of each of the antioxidant enzymes catalase, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase was determined by specific assay. RESULTS: Obstructed kidneys from acatalasemic mice exhibited increased tubulointerstitial deposition in dilated tubules of collagens type I and IV, lipid peroxidation products, and the p22/p47/p67-phox subunits of NADPH oxidase. The level of the p22/p47/p67-phox subunit mRNA, and of apoptosis in tubular epithelial cells, was also increased compared with those from wild-type kidneys. Treatment with telmisartan attenuated all of the changes and prevented renal fibrosis in a dose-dependent manner; despite the low dose (0.1 mg/kg). The treatment did not lower the systemic blood pressure. The catalase activity remained low in acatalasemic obstructed kidneys without compensatory upregulation of glutathione peroxidase or superoxide dismutase activity; the level of neither anti-oxidant enzymes in obstructed kidneys was affected by telmisartan. CONCLUSIONS: The AT1 receptor antagonist telmisartan ameliorated renal fibrosis after UUO by inhibition of oxidative stress, even under acatalasemic conditions.

The relation between visceral adipose tissue accumulation and biochemical tests in university students.

We evaluated the visceral adipose tissue accumulation in university students in Okayama prefecture, Japan. Fifty-eight Japanese university students (10 men and 48 women, age 18.4 +/- 0.6 years)were enrolled in this study. Fat distribution was evaluated by visceral fat (V) and subcutaneous fat (S) areas measured with computed tomography (CT) scanning at umbilical levels. Anthropometric parameters,i.e., height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, and body fat percentage; blood examination; and blood pressure (BP) were also measured. In 58 subjects, the V area was 23.4 +/- 21.0 cm(2) and the S area was 122.5 +/- 57.9 cm(2). V areas were significantly correlated with hepatic enzymes, uric acid, triglyceride, and BP in men, while they were weakly correlated with hepatic enzymes, triglyceride, and high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol in women. Correlation coefficients between V areas and clinical parameters were comparatively higher than those between other body composition parameters,i.e., S areas, weight, body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage, and clinical parameters. The present study suggests that visceral adipose tissue accumulation is important for hepatic enzymes, uric acid, triglyceride, and BP in university students.

Catalase deficiency renders remnant kidneys more susceptible to oxidant tissue injury and renal fibrosis in mice.

BACKGROUND: Catalase is one of the important antioxidant enzymes regulating the levels of intracellular hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radical. The effect of catalase deficiency on progressive renal fibrosis has not been fully elucidated. METHODS: Homozygous acatalasemic mutant mice (C3H/AnLCs(b)Cs(b)) and control wild-type mice (C3H/AnLCs(a)Cs(a)) were subjected to 5/6 nephrectomy. The functional and morphological alterations of the remnant kidneys, including tubulointerstitial fibrosis, epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), peroxidation, antioxidant enzyme activity, and gene expression of EMT-related molecules were compared between the two groups at 6, 12, and 18 weeks after 5/6 nephrectomy. RESULTS: The 5/6 nephrectomy resulted in albuminuria, decreased renal function, and tubulointerstitial fibrosis with accumulation of type I and type IV collagens in the remnant kidneys of both mouse groups. However, the degree of these changes was significantly higher in acatalasemic mice after 5/6 nephrectomy as compared with wild-type mice until week 18. EMT, a crucial phenotypic alteration of tubular epithelial cells, was observed in acatalasemic mice by electron microscopy and was associated with upregulation of EMT-related alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA), transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), and fibroblast specific protein-1 (FSP-1) gene expression. Significant increases in the tubulointerstitial deposition of lipid peroxidation products, including 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal and urinary excretion of 8-hydroxy-2'- deoxyguanosine were observed in the acatalasemic mice after 5/6 nephrectomy as compared with the wild-type mice. Glomerular sclerosis developed after tubulointerstitial injury in acatalasemic mice. The level of catalase activity remained low in the remnant kidneys of acatalasemic mice until week 18 without compensatory up-regulation of glutathione peroxidase or superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Finally, supplementation of a SOD mimetic tempol did not prevent peroxidation and tubulointerstitial fibrosis in the acatalasemic remnant kidneys. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that acatalasemia exacerbates renal oxidant tissue injury and sensitizes remnant kidneys to EMT and progressive renal fibrosis. This study suggests a central role for catalase in the defense against oxidant-mediated renal fibrosis.

[Dietary habits, attitudes toward weight control, and subjective symptoms of fatigue in young women in Japan].

PURPOSE: This paper describes dietary habits and attitudes toward body weight control of college women in Japan and examines their relationships with subjective symptoms of fatigue. We also discuss strategies to promote better diets among young adults. METHODS: Self-reported questionnaires were distributed to 286 young women aged 18 to 25 years; 275 of these were analyzed. RESULTS: The study found that more than half of the women were concerned about nutritional balance and calories. Yet thirty percent ate "a single-item meal (i.e., bread, rice bowl, noodles) two or more times a day," while roughly one half skipped breakfast "sometimes" or "always." A majority ate vegetables "almost never" and consumed instant foods, confectionery, or sugary drinks "almost daily." Subjective symptoms of fatigue were significantly correlated with a higher frequency of irregular meal-taking, single-item meals, between-meal snacking, missed breakfasts, non-vegetable diets, non-fruit diets, and instant foods and confectionery. About sixty percent of the women in the study considered their bodies to be "slightly fat or overweight" while 79.5% indicated a desire to "lose weight". On average, the participants' ideal BMI was 18.7 (+/- 1.2) while the ideal body weight was 47.2 (+/- 4.1) kg, approximately 4 kg under actual average body weight. Subjective symptoms of fatigue were stronger among women who considered themselves "slightly fat or overweight". Likewise, symptoms were stronger to the extent that a participant's ideal BMI was below her actual BMI. CONCLUSION: Many women in this study desired to lose weight although they were not overweight by objective measures. The study suggests that subjective symptoms of fatigue are not the result of individual dietary habits, but rather of a lifestyle that reach to series of dietary habits connected to subjective symptoms of fatigue. The study also confirms the importance both of encouraging young women not just to eat well but to lead lifestyles in which they do not skip meals and of efforts that might help them to evaluate their own bodies more objectively.

Survey of cattle fascioliasis in Tsuyama Abattoir.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to survey the prevalence of fascioliasis in slaughtered cattle in order to provide breeders with feedback which may prevent cattle fascioliasis, as well as human fascioliasis. METHODS: The results of meat inspection and the information extracted from the Discriminative Data Base on Individual Livestock in Japan were analyzed statistically in 6,224 cattle slaughtered at the Tsuyama Abattoir during the fiscal year 2002. RESULTS: The age-adjusted fascioliasis and cholangitis rates of all cattle were 2.0% and 7.2%, respectively. When analyzed by cattle breed, both rates were significantly higher in Japanese native cattle than in Holstein or Jersey (Chi-square test, p<0.01). The cattle raised in Okayama Prefecture, Tochigi Prefecture and Shimane Prefecture were significantly different from cattle raised in other prefectures in the age-adjusted fascioliasis and cholangitis rates. CONCLUSION: The age-adjusted fascioliasis and cholangitis rates of all cattle can be considered as nationwide rates for slaughtered cattle. The results of the comparisons suggest that cattle fascioliasis is related to feeding with rice straw and that the measures to prevent cattle fascioliasis might differ a mong prefectural governments.

Were volatile organic compounds the inducing factors for subjective symptoms of employees working in newly constructed hospitals?

This study demonstrated possible relationships between environmental, personal, and occupational factors and changes in the subjective health symptoms of 214 employees after the relocation of a hospital in a region of Japan. Eight indoor volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were detected in at least one of the 19 rooms investigated, and total VOC (TVOC) concentrations in 8 rooms exceeded the advisable value (400 microg/m(3)) established by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan. Formaldehyde was detected in all the investigated rooms, but none of the results exceeded the guideline value (100 microg/m(3)). Multiple logistic regression analysis was applied to select variables significantly associated with the subjective symptoms that can be induced by sick building syndrome. The results showed that subjective symptoms of deterioration in the skin, eye, ear, throat, chest, central nervous system, autonomic system, musculoskeletal system, and digestive system among employees were associated mainly with gender difference and high TVOC concentrations (>1200 microg/m(3)). Long work hours (>50 h per week) in females and smoking in males were to be blamed for the deterioration of their symptoms. The present findings suggest that to protect employees from indoor environment-related adverse health effects, it is necessary to reduce the concentration of indoor chemicals in new buildings, to decrease work hours, and to forbid smoking.

Heterogeneity of mitochondrial creatine kinase.

The heterogeneity of cardiac sarcomeric mitochondrial creatine kinase (creatine N-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.3.2, sMi-CK), namely, brain ubiquitous Mi-CK (uMi-CK) and an atypical Mi-CK detected in the serum of a patient with ovarian cancer, was studied by isoelectric focusing. These Mi-CKs were found to be slightly different from each other with respect to their pIs under the examined conditions. The atypical Mi-CK was found to be an atypically oxidized form of uMi-CK. Results suggest that these heterogeneities of Mi-CK are caused by the genotypes, structures, biological functions and metabolism/dissimilation of Mi-CKs in the mitochondria and intravascular circulation.

Inhibitory effects of prior low-dose X-ray irradiation on carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatopathy in acatalasemic mice.

The catalase activities in blood and organs of the acatalasemic (C3H/AnLCs(b)Cs(b)) mouse of C3H strain are lower than those of the normal (C3H/AnLCs (a)Cs(a)) mouse. We examined the effects of prior low-dose (0.5 Gy) X-ray irradiation, which reduced the oxidative damage under carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatopathy in the acatalasemic or normal mice. The acatalasemic mice showed a significantly lower catalase activity and a significantly higher glutathione peroxidase activity compared with those in the normal mice. Moreover, low-dose irradiation increased the catalase activity in the acatalasemic mouse liver to a level similar to that of the normal mouse liver. Pathological examinations and analyses of blood glutamic oxaloacetic and glutamic pyruvic transaminase activity and lipid peroxide levels showed that carbon tetrachloride induced hepatopathy was inhibited by low-dose irradiation. These findings may indicate that the free radical reaction induced by the lack of catalase and the administration of carbon tetrachloride is more properly neutralized by high glutathione peroxidase activity and low-dose irradiation in the acatalasemic mouse liver.

Evaluation of the efficiency of respiratory protective equipment based on the biological monitoring of styrene in fibreglass reinforced plastics industries.

The purpose of the present study was to determine the efficiency of respiratory protective equipment in a fibreglass reinforced plastic factory by comparing results of environmental and biological monitoring of exposure to styrene. Five factories including 39 workers were investigated. Three types of respiratory protective equipment were tested: one was a half-mask air-purifying respirator equipped with a cartridge for organic solvents, another was a disposable gauze respirator impregnated with charcoal filter, and the third was a dust-proof respirator. The frequency of cartridge exchange of a half-mask respirator was twice a day only at one factory, and that was less than once a month at other factories. The site concentrations exceeded 20 ppm at 10 of the 82 sampling points (12.2%), and 22 of the 39 workers' (56.4%) personal exposure exceeded 20 ppm which is the current occupational exposure limit recommended by the Japan Society for Occupational Health. The efficiency of disposable gauze respirators and dust-proof respirators was low or rather zero. The average efficiency of half-mask respirators in which cartridges were exchanged twice a day and once a month was 83.6% and 46.6%, respectively. There was a significant disparity in the efficiency of the respirator depending on the frequency of cartridge exchange (p<0.05). Overall this study showed that even though a half-mask respirator is used and its cartridge is exchanged every half a day, workers exposed to a styrene concentration at or over 122 ppm are expected to inhale more than 20 ppm of styrene.

Acatalasemia sensitizes renal tubular epithelial cells to apoptosis and exacerbates renal fibrosis after unilateral ureteral obstruction.

Tissue homeostasis is determined by the balance between oxidants and antioxidants. Catalase is an important antioxidant enzyme regulating the level of intracellular hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radicals. The effect of catalase deficiency on renal tubulointerstitial injury induced by unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) has been studied in homozygous acatalasemic mutant mice (C3H/AnLCs(b)Cs(b)) compared with wild-type mice (C3H/AnLCs(a)Cs(a)). Complete UUO caused interstitial cell infiltration, tubular dilation and atrophy, and interstitial fibrosis with accumulation of type IV collagen in obstructed kidneys (OBK) of both mouse groups. However, the degree of injury showed a significant increase in OBK of acatalasemic mice compared with that of wild-type mice until day 7. The deposition of lipid peroxidation products including 4-hydroxy-2-hexenal, malondialdehyde, and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal was severer in dilated tubules of acatalasemic OBK. Apoptosis in tubular epithelial cells significantly increased in acatalasemic OBK at day 4. Expression of caspase-9, a marker of mitochondrial pathway-derived apoptosis, increased in dilated tubules of acatalasemic mice. The level of catalase activity remained low in acatalasemic OBK until day 7 without compensatory upregulation of glutathione peroxidase activity. The data indicate that acatalasemia exacerbated oxidation of renal tissue and sensitized tubular epithelial cells to apoptosis in OBK of UUO. This study demonstrates that catalase deficiency enhanced tubulointerstitial injury and fibrosis in a murine model of UUO and thus supports the protective role of catalase in this model.

Survey of the stray dog population and the health education program on the prevention of dog bites and dog-acquired infections: a comparative study in Nepal and Okayama Prefecture, Japan.

We estimated the number of stray dogs in Kathmandu, Nepal, where human rabies cases still occur, and in Shimotsui, Okayama Prefecture, Japan. In Kathmandu, the stray dog density was 2,930 stray dogs/km2, and the ratio of stray dogs to humans was 1:4.7. In Shimotsui, the density was 225 stray dogs/km2, and the ratio was 1:5.2. Since the stray dog population in Nepal is very large, one of the measures used to prevent dog bites and dog-acquired infections such as rabies is an effort to capture stray dogs. Another such measure is an effort to decrease the availability of food for stray dogs. We also organized health education programs in both Nepal and Okayama Prefecture, Japan, which involved a course on the prevention of dog bites and subsequent infections. After each course, a questionnaire survey was conducted. The results suggest that the course participants understood these important preventive methods. In addition to the measures mentioned above and the routine vaccination of dogs, this health education course is recommended as a long-term preventive program

Psychological determinants of physical activity in Japanese female employees.

To understand how psychological characteristics influence adoption and maintenance of physical activity/exercise, we conducted a cross-sectional study among Japanese employees based upon the idea of stages of behavior modification. The study population consisted of 719 employees (male, 396, female, 323) from five medium-sized manufacturing companies (50-200 employees) in Okayama Prefecture, Japan. The female response rate was 67.5% (n=218), among which 201 eligible female subjects (62.2%) were analyzed. The study questionnaire included demographic characteristics, physical activity/exercise measures, self-efficacy measures, and perceived benefit and barriers scales. Participants were asked to select the items that best described their current physical activity/exercise level from an 8-item questionnaire, and we converted their answers to the 5 stages of change according to a transtheoretical model of behavior change. Perceived benefit and barrier scales were classified into 7 factors (4 benefits and 3 barriers) by factor analyses. The relationship between psychological determinants and the stage of physical activity/exercise was examined by one-way analysis of variance. Only 10% of the subjects had moderate physical activity (in the action and maintenance stages) regularly. We found that self-efficacy, "weight control benefit", "physical barrier" and "time barrier" were psychological determinants of physical activity/exercise stages in female employees, and especially there was a consistent relationship between self-efficacy and the stage of physical activity/exercise. Our data suggest that health education for Japanese female employees requires that health professionals should provide support for strengthening self-efficacy, show practical ways to increase physical activity in daily life, and provide broad and accurate information showing that physical activity/exercise have a good effect on health.

Daily exercise lowers blood pressure and reduces visceral adipose tissue areas in overweight Japanese men.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the link between a reduction in blood pressure (BP) and daily exercise. DESIGN: Cross-sectional and longitudinal clinical intervention study with exercise education. SUBJECTS: 43 overweight Japanese men aged 32-59 years (BMI, 29.0+/-2.3 kg/m2) at baseline. Among the participants, a randomly selected 23 overweight men (BMI, 28.5+/-1.7) were further enrolled into the 10 months exercise program. MEASUREMENTS: BP was measured every week and steps per day were also recorded every day throughout the observation period. Fat distribution was evaluated by visceral fat (V) and subcutaneous fat (S) areas measured with computed tomography (CT) scanning at umbilical level, at before, 5 months and after intervention. Anthropometric parameters were also measured at same point. Aerobic exercise level, muscle strength, flexibility and calorie intake and insulin resistance (HOMA index) were investigated at before and after the study. RESULTS: In a cross sectional analysis, systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) were significantly correlated with body composition. In a second longitudinal analysis, SBP was significantly reduced at 2 months and DBP was also reduced at 3 months, and almost maintained until the end of the observation period. Increasing daily walking was observed in 3 months and maintained until 10 months. Body composition, aerobic exercise level, muscle strength, flexibility and insulin resistance were significantly improved. There was positive correlation between DeltaDBP and Deltavisceral fat area (1-5, 5-10, 1-10 months). By stepwise multiple regression analysis, only Deltavisceral fat area was independently related to DeltaDBP at a significant level (1-10 months: DeltaDBP=-0.608+0.105Deltavisceral fat area, r2=0.227, P=0.0334). CONCLUSION: The present study indicated daily exercise lowers BP and visceral fat area is the critical factor for BP change.

Differential responses of serum gamma-glutamyltransferase to alcohol intake in Japanese males.

We studied the association of gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and other serum markers of liver injury with daily alcohol consumption in a healthy population of 1,043 Japanese males. A positive correlation between daily alcohol consumption and biochemical markers, such as log GGT (r = 0.432), log AST (r = 0.244) or log LAP (r = 0.246), was seen in all drinkers. However, there was a negative correlation, such as log GGT (r = -0.434), log AST (r = -0.424) or log LAP (r = -0.430), in heavy drinkers who consumed more than 70 g ethanol a day. On the other hand, a positive correlation, such as log GGT (r = 0.426), log AST (r = 0.247) or log LAP (r = 0.216) was found in moderate drinkers who consumed less than 70 g ethanol a day. Interestingly, there was a tendency toward negative association between alcohol consumption and the Tokyo University ALDH2 Phenotype Screening Test (TAST) score in the heavy drinkers, and there was a tendency toward positive association between GGT and TAST score in this group. Our results suggest that there are 2 groups of drinkers, those with elevated GGT (good responders) and those with normal GGT (poor responders) despite heavy drinking.

Mitochondrial creatine kinase with atypical pI values detected in serum of a patient with ovarian hepatoid yolk sac tumor.

Atypical mitochondrial creatine kinase (creatine N-phosphotransferase, CK, EC 2.7.3.2) was detected in the serum of a patient with carcinoma of germ cell origin, probably hepatoid yolk sac tumor. The pI of the oligomeric atypical mitochondrial CK (Mi-CK) was found at the acidic side compared to that of the typical ubiquitous Mi-CK (uMi-CK), while the molecular size of the atypical Mi-CK was similar to that of the typical uMi-CK. The pIs of the oligomeric and the dimeric atypical Mi-CKs became the same as those of the typical uMi-CK upon treatment with 2-mercaptoethanol. Therefore, the atypical Mi-CK was suggested to be an oxidized form of uMi-CK, and the oxidation might have occurred in the mitochondria because the oligomeric atypical Mi-CK had atypical pIs. The physicochemical characteristics of the oxidized uMi-CK were similar to those of the typical uMi-CK.