Impact of dietary compositions and patterns on the prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in Japanese men: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to examine the impact of dietary compositions and patterns on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) morbidity in Japanese men. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 281 individuals who underwent comprehensive medical examinations during health screening. Dietary intake was assessed using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire, and factor analysis was performed to detect dietary patterns. NAFLD was diagnosed by the presence of fatty liver on abdominal ultrasonography in nondrinkers (< 30 g/day), and patients were categorized into control (n = 192) and NAFLD groups (n = 89). RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the NAFLD group consumed fewer mushrooms. Three dietary patterns were identified, namely, a healthy pattern, a western pattern, and a snack pattern. The score of healthy pattern was negatively correlated with the risk of NAFLD. Compared with the lowest tertile of the healthy pattern, the middle tertile was associated with a lower risk of NAFLD after adjusting for age, physical activity, and smoking (odds ratio: 0.47, 95% confidence interval: 0.25-0.91). After further adjustments for body mass index, the middle tertile was associated with a lower risk of NAFLD (odds ratio: 0.46, 95% confidence interval: 0.23-0.92). CONCLUSIONS: A healthy dietary pattern comprising frequent intake of seaweeds, vegetables, mushrooms, pulses, and potatoes and starches was associated with a lower risk of NAFLD in Japanese men. In our opinion, this healthy pattern closely resembles the Japanese Washoku diet, indicating that adherence to Washoku may help prevent NAFLD.

Study of the Correlation Between Multiple Chemical Sensitivity and Personality Using the Quick Environmental Exposure Sensitivity Inventory Questionnaire and the Temperament and Character Inventory.

OBJECTIVE: We conducted an analysis using the Quick Environmental Exposure Sensitivity Inventory to examine the correlation between multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) and personality traits by using temperament and character inventory, and environmental exposures. METHODS: An anonymous questionnaire was distributed to 667 employees working at an IT manufacturing plant in Japan. Variables including chemically sensitive population (CSP), personality, and environmental chemical exposure were individually evaluated using U-test, chi-squared test, and correlation analyses. We also did covariance structure analysis to build a structural equation model. RESULTS: There was little direct impact of temperament on the CSP, while there was a significant impact of character on the CSP. Women were more likely to exhibit symptoms of CSP. CONCLUSION: MCS is correlated with personality, impacted more by character acquired later in life than innate temperament. There were sex differences in the incidence of MCS.

Survey on the Awareness of Genetic Testing in Japanese Workers: The Effect of Participant Characteristics on Awareness.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to assess the possibility of utilization of genetic testing and to determine the effect of participant characteristics on genetic testing awareness in Japanese workers. METHODS: The subjects of this study consisted of 998 workers from two companies located in Kyusyu, Japan, from June to July, 2014. We examined the participant characteristics and genetic testing awareness using paper questionnaires. Ultimately, the data from 737 subjects (73.8%) was included in our analysis. RESULTS: Regarding participant characteristics, the percentage of respondents who replied "I have heard of genetic testing" (including knowledge about genetic testing) and "I would like to have genetic testing" were 82.5% and 58.2%, respectively. A significant age difference in genetic testing awareness was also observed in our study. Logistic regression analysis revealed both significant adjust odds ratios (ORs) of 3.02 (95% CI 1.67-5.46) and 3.82 (95% CI 1.71-8.53) in the 40-49-year-old group and the over 50 year old group, respectively, compared with the 20-29-year-old group. In addition, females and the participants who graduated from graduate schools showed greater interest in genetic testing. CONCLUSIONS: This survey showed that about 80% of Japanese workers know about genetic testing and about 60% would like to have a test. The results of our survey also suggest that the awareness of genetic testing is influenced by participant characteristics, namely age, sex, and education.

[Application of Metabolomics to Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Research].

Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is an acquired chronic disorder characterized by nonspecific symptoms in multiple organ systems associated with exposure to low-level chemicals. Diagnosis of MCS can be difficult because of the inability to assess the causal relationship between exposure and symptoms. No standardized objective measures for the identification of MCS and no precise definition of this disorder have been established. Recent technological advances in mass spectrometry have significantly improved our capacity to obtain more data from each biological sample. Metabolomics comprises the methods and techniques that are used to determine the small-level molecules in biofluids and tissues. The metabolomic profile-the metabolome-has multiple applications in many biological sciences, including the development of new diagnostic tools for medicine. We performed metabolomics to detect the difference between 9 patients with MCS and 9 controls. We identified 183 substances whose levels were beyond the normal detection limit. The most prominent differences included significant increases in the levels of both hexanoic acid and pelargonic acid, and also a significant decrease in the level of acetylcarnitine in patients with MCS. In conclusion, using metabolomics analysis, we uncovered a hitherto unrecognized alteration in the levels of metabolites in MCS. These changes may have important biological implications and may have a significant potential for use as biomarkers.

Associations between aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) genetic polymorphisms, drinking status, and hypertension risk in Japanese adult male workers: a case-control study.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to identify associations between aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2), alcohol consumption, and hypertension in Japanese men. METHODS: The study participants were 1,225 male Japanese workers. We collected lifestyle information, body measurements, blood biochemical parameters, blood pressure measurements, and ALDH2 genotyping data during medical examinations conducted between March 2004 and January 2005 at a work facility and an affiliated company. Lifestyle data on alcohol intake and smoking were collected using self-administered questionnaires at the same time as when the aforementioned measurements were obtained. RESULTS: The genotype frequencies of ALDH2 genetic polymorphisms were 62.6, 32.7, and 4.7% for *1/*1, *1/*2, and *2/*2, respectively. Systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure in the *1/*2 or *2/*2 group were significantly lower than those in the *1/*1 group (P < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis (stepwise method) for blood pressure according to ALDH2 genetic polymorphism revealed that the amount of daily alcohol intake affected systolic blood pressure in participants who harbored the ALDH2 genetic polymorphism *1/*2 or *2/*2. CONCLUSIONS: The interaction between alcohol intake and ALDH2 genetic polymorphisms might affect systolic blood pressure in adult male workers.