The IL6 gene polymorphism -634C>G and IL17F gene polymorphism 7488T>C influence bone mineral density in young and elderly Japanese women.

Osteoporosis is an important public health problem because of the significant morbidity and mortality associated with its complications, particularly fractures. An important clinical risk factor in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis is the presence of genetic polymorphisms in susceptibility genes. However, few studies have investigated the relevance of these polymorphisms in premenopausal women. Recent studies have demonstrated interactions between bone and immune cells, and that cytokines produced by immune cells regulate bone turnover. In this study, we examined the associations between bone mineral density (BMD) and polymorphisms in genes encoding interleukin (IL)-6 (-634C>G; rs1800796), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α (-308G>A; rs1800629), IL-17F (7488T>C; rs763780), transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß (869T>C; rs1800470), osteoprotegerin (OPG; 163A>G; rs3102735) and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR; 677C>T; rs1801133) in young and elderly Japanese women. Whole-body, lumbar spine (L(1) or L(2)-L(4)), and femoral neck BMD were measured in 100 young subjects (18-23 years), and 100 elderly subjects (60-83 years). Whole-body, lumbar spine, and femoral neck BMD were 1.13±0.06, 1.14±0.12, and 1.00±0.11 g/cm(2), respectively, in young subjects, and 0.92±0.09, 0.86±0.15, and 0.63±0.10 g/cm(2), respectively, in elderly subjects. The frequencies of the IL-6 CC, CG, and GG genotypes were 48%, 49%, and 3%, respectively. The frequencies of the IL17F TT, TC, and CC genotypes were 79%, 15%, and 6%, respectively, in young subjects. Polymorphisms of the IL-6 and IL17F genes were significantly associated with BMD. To our knowledge, this is the first report to examine these associations in a cohort of 200 Japanese women.

Walking velocity measured over 5 m as a basis of exercise prescription for the elderly: preliminary data from the Nakanojo Study.

Moderate-intensity physical activity is recommended to promote health, and augment peak oxygen transport, thus reducing the risk of chronic disease, and delaying functional loss in the elderly. The optimal method of prescribing the recommended intensity of effort [approximately 50% of oxygen intake reserve ( V(.)O(2reserve)) or heart rate reserve (HR(reserve))] remains unclear for this age group. Our aim was to develop a new field-method of prescribing exercise for the elderly, based on walking velocity measured over a 5-m distance. Walking velocities were calculated from the time taken to move from the 3-m to the 8-m mark on an 11-m, straight, flat walkway. Interrelationships of preferred and maximal walking velocities with traditional laboratory measurements [peak isometric knee-extension strength and maximal oxygen intake ( V(.)O(2max))] were examined in 10 healthy male and 13 healthy female volunteers, aged 65-74 years. Percentages of oxygen intake reserve (% V(.)O(2reserve)) and heart rate reserve (%HR(reserve)) were also determined when walking at 30-70% of maximal velocity. Preferred and maximal walking velocities were significantly correlated ( r>0.60; P<0.05), the former corresponding to an average of 53-54% of the latter in both men and women. Maximal walking velocity was significantly correlated with both peak knee-extension torque ( r>0.90; P<0.05) and V(.)O(2max) ( r>0.80; P<0.05). As a result, the % V(.)O(2reserve) and %HR(reserve) showed a regular and linear relationship to various submaximal walking velocities. For both men and women, 40-60% of the maximal walking velocity corresponded to about 30-50% of V(.)O(2reserve) and HR(reserve). Approximately 60% of the maximal walking velocity (or 110-115% of the preferred walking velocity) represents an appropriate intensity of moderate exercise for the typical elderly person. Our preliminary data suggest that a prescription based on walking velocity over the 5-m distance allows the healthy elderly to exercise simply, safely, and effectively.