The number and function of circulating CD34(+)CD133(+) progenitor cells decreased in stable coronary artery disease but not in acute myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVE: Circulating CD34(+)CD133(+) cells are one of the main sources of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). Age is inversely related to the number and function of CD34(+)CD133(+) progenitor cells in stable coronary artery disease (CAD), but the relationship remains unclear in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The authors aimed to clarify how ageing affects the number and function of mobilised CD34(+)CD133(+) progenitor cells in AMI. DESIGN AND RESULTS: Circulating CD34(+)CD133(+) progenitor cells were measured by flow cytometry. Measurements were made at admission for CAD, or on day 7 after the onset of AMI. In stable CAD (n=131), circulating CD34(+)CD133(+) cells decreased with age (r=-0.344, p<0.0001). In AMI, circulating CD34(+)CD133(+) cells did not correlate with age (n=50), and multivariate analysis revealed that the decreased number of circulating CD34(+)CD133(+) cells was associated with male sex and higher peak creatinine kinase. The ability to give rise to functional EPCs, which show good migratory and tube-forming capabilities, deteriorated among stable CAD subjects (n=10) compared with AMI subjects (N=6). CONCLUSIONS: In stable CAD, the number and function of circulating CD34(+)CD133(+) progenitor cells decreased with age, whereas those mobilised and circulating in AMI did not.

Use of landiolol hydrochloride, a new beta-blocker, in coronary computed tomography angiography.

We investigated the usefulness of landiolol hydrochloride, an ultrashort-acting beta(1)-selective agent, for coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA). Intravenous landiolol was administered to 133 patients before coronary CTA. Hemodynamic changes, adverse effects, image quality, and diagnostic accuracy for detection of coronary stenoses were evaluated. HR was significantly reduced during injection, but quickly recovered after cessation of landiolol. Neither significant changes in BP nor adverse effects were seen. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of coronary CTA for detection of significant stenoses were excellent, compared with invasive angiography. Therefore, our results show that intravenous landiolol administration gives a favorable image quality and facilitates diagnostic accuracy without causing adverse effects, indicating that landiolol is a useful premedication for coronary CTA.

Optimal starting time of acquisition and feasibility of complementary administration of nitroglycerin with intravenous beta-blocker in multislice computed tomography.

OBJECTIVES: We determined the optimal starting time of acquisition after sublingual nitroglycerin (NTG) administration and evaluated the effects on multislice computed tomographic (MSCT) images of a complementary administration of sublingual NTG with beta-blocker. METHODS: Sixty patients who underwent MSCT coronary angiography (CA) were randomly divided into 2 groups as follows: 30 patients given an intravenous administration of beta-blocker (landiolol hydrochloride, mean dose of 0.032 mg/kg per minute; group B); and 30 patients given a coadministration of intravenous beta-blocker and sublingual NTG (0.3 mg; group N). Blood pressure and heart rate were recorded every 1 minute after NTG administration. In addition, the maximum diameters of the proximal and distal lesions in each coronary artery were measured, and the number of assessable segments was calculated. RESULTS: Blood pressure significantly decreased and heart rate significantly increased 4 minutes after NTG administration. The number of assessable segments was significantly greater in group N than in group B. The maximum diameters of the distal lesions of the left anterior descending and left circumflex arteries and both proximal and distal lesions of the right coronary artery were significantly larger in group N than in group B. CONCLUSIONS: It is advisable to obtain MSCT images after sublingual NTG administration because nitrates are always given during conventional CA and may prevent beta-blocker-induced coronary spasm. The optimal starting time for MSCT CA is approximately 3 minutes after sublingual NTG administration.

Self-reported medical history was generally accurate among Japanese workplace population.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the validity of self-reported medical history of several diseases among the Japanese population, and to clarify to what extent the self-reported year of diagnosis for chronic diseases is different from the physician's reports. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Subjects were 8,947 persons who responded to questions about medical history in a self-administered questionnaire. Of them, 854 subjects reported one or more medical histories and gave permission to contact their physician. The physicians were then requested to provide information on 809 subjects. Valid responses of 714 subjects were collected. We compared the self-reported medical histories with those reported by the physician. RESULTS: Of 15 persons who reported myocardial infarction, 13 (87%) were confirmed. Angina pectoris was verified in eight out of the 11 (73%). The confirmation proportions of hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and hyperuricemia were 97%, 96%, 95%, and 95%, respectively. The self-reported year of diagnosis was 1.70-2.49 years earlier than the physician-reported year for chronic diseases. Agreement between the self-reported and the physician-reported years was higher, the more recent the self-reported year was. CONCLUSION: Self-reported medical histories were generally accurate, especially for diseases with clear diagnostic criteria. However, investigators should be aware of the errors in reporting the year of diagnosis.

Feasibility of intravenous administration of landiolol hydrochloride for multislice computed tomography coronary angiography: initial experience.

BACKGROUND: The feasibility of using landiolol hydrochloride in multislice computed tomography (MSCT) coronary angiography (CAG) was investigated in the present study. METHODS AND RESULTS: Landiolol hydrochloride was continuously administered intravenously to 145 patients before starting MSCT CAG. Hemodynamic changes [blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR)], adverse effects, image quality using a 5-point scale, and accuracy of detecting significant stenoses (>or=50% reduction in lumen diameter) were evaluated. HR was significantly reduced during injection, and quickly recovered after cessation of administration, of landiolol hydrochloride. Neither significant changes in BP nor adverse effects occurred. Among visible segments, 1,869 (94%) displayed an excellent (83%) or good (11%) image quality. Diagnostic accuracy was evaluated in 39 of 145 patients who underwent invasive CAG within 3 weeks after MSCT. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of MSCT CAG for detection of significant stenoses in assessable segments were excellent (per artery: 94%, 98%, 92%, and 100%; per segment: 92%, 98%, 94%, and 96%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Intravenous administration of landiolol hydrochloride reduces HR without a significant reduction in BP, which enables favorable image quality and diagnostic accuracy without adverse effects, making this agent feasible as a premedication for MSCT CAG.

Contribution of adipocytokines to low-grade inflammatory state as expressed by circulating C-reactive protein in Japanese men: comparison of leptin and adiponectin.

BACKGROUND: Circulating C-reactive protein (CRP) is a marker of inflammation and is associated with the incidence of cardiovascular events. Although it has been known that adiponectin protects, whereas leptin accelerates, the development of atherosclerotic diseases, the comparative strength of their reciprocal effects on circulating CRP remains unclear. METHODS: We studied a population of 2049 Japanese men aged 35 to 66. For all subjects, multiple regression analysis performed with log-transformed CRP concentration as the dependent variable, and with log-transformed leptin, log-transformed adiponectin, age, BMI, smoking status, and components of metabolic syndrome as independent variables. RESULTS: Both leptin (positively) and adiponectin (negatively) were significantly and independently associated with CRP concentration. The absolute value of the standardized regression coefficient (st-beta) of leptin (st-beta=0.201) was higher than that of adiponectin (st-beta=-0.082). After subjects were stratified by current BMI level, both of the adipocytokines were significantly associated with CRP concentration among subjects with BMI <25 kg/m(2), whereas only leptin was significantly associated with CRP concentration among subjects with BMI >=25 kg/m(2). CONCLUSIONS: Both leptin and adiponectin were independently associated with CRP concentration. Leptin was more strongly related to CRP levels than adiponectin was, especially among obese subjects.

Association between low birth weight and elevated white blood cell count in adulthood within a Japanese population.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological studies have demonstrated the association between low birth weight and increased adulthood risk for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. However, the precise mechanism underlying the association remains poorly understood. We investigated the association between birth weight and adult white blood cell (WBC) count in a Japanese population. METHODS AND RESULTS: The subjects were 779 men and 209 women aged 35-64 years. The mean WBC count was 5,283 /microl (SD: 1,326). Birth weight was divided to 6 categories: <2,500, 2,500-<2,800, 2,800-<3,000, 3,000-<3,200, 3,200-<3,500, and >3,500 g. Estimated WBC counts were 5,729, 5,341, 5,301, 5,212, 5,013 and 5,372 for the subjects with birth weights of the above respective categories (p=0.015, trend p=0.016) by one-way analysis of covariance after adjustments for sex, age, height, body mass index (BMI), lifestyles, and chronic diseases. This association was pronounced among the subjects with a BMI <25.0 kg/m2 rather than those with a higher BMI. CONCLUSIONS: These findings support the idea that part of the association of low birth weight with elevated risk for vascular and metabolic diseases in later life could be mediated by an inflammatory pathway.

Eating fast leads to insulin resistance: findings in middle-aged Japanese men and women.

OBJECTIVE: To examine relationships between speed of eating and insulin resistance. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of 2704 male (mean age and BMI: 48.2 y and 23.3 kg/m(2)) and 761 female (46.3 y and 21.8 kg/m(2)) non-diabetic Japanese civil servants, 75% clerical, and 25% manual laborers, using a two-part questionnaire on life-style factors and diet history with self-assessment of categorical speed of eating and energy intake over a 1-month period. We measured BMI, blood glucose and insulin concentrations and calculated insulin resistance using the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance: (HOMA-IR). RESULTS: BMI correlated with eating rate in both sexes, and with daily energy intake in men. Multiple regression analysis of log HOMA-IR by categorical speed of eating, adjusting for age, energy intake and lifestyle factors showed a statistically significant gradual increase in HOMA-IR with increases in relative eating rate in men (p<0.001, for trend) and in women (p<0.01). Adjusting for BMI, this positive relationship appeared only in men (p=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that eating fast is independently associated with insulin resistance in middle-aged Japanese men and women.

Smoking status and adiponectin in healthy Japanese men and women.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies promisingly indicate that adiponectin plays an important and fundamental role in the development and progression of metabolic and atherosclerosis disorders. Smoking is known as one of the most important risk factors of atherosclerosis, and its relation with metabolic disorders has also been reported. We therefore investigated the association between cigarette smoking and adiponectin concentration in a large sample of Japanese men and women. METHOD: The cross-sectional study was carried out in 2002. The subjects were 3260 men and 953 women local government workers aged 35 to 59 in Japan. Lifestyle-related variables including detailed smoking history were inquired in a self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: Significant differences in adiponectin levels related to smoking status were observed in both men and women (p=0.001). A dose-dependent association was found between the intensity of smoking and adiponectin levels in current smokers, and was statistically significant in men (p for trend=0.006 in the multivariate-adjusted model). Men who quit smoking for more than 20 years and women for more than 10 years had an adiponectin concentration similar to that observed in non-smokers. CONCLUSION: We not only revealed that current smoking habit was associated with low adiponectin level but also found a dose-dependent association between smoking intensity and adiponectin level in current smokers. The present finding may provide further evidence of the importance of a causal relationship between smoking status and adiponectin concentrations.

Adiponectin level and left ventricular hypertrophy in Japanese men.

A recent study has demonstrated that adiponectin inhibited hypertrophic signaling in the myocardium of mice, implying that a decrease in the blood adiponectin level could cause cardiac muscle hypertrophy. We hypothesized that a relationship might exist between the serum adiponectin level and electrocardiographically diagnosed left ventricular hypertrophy (ECG-LVH), and we examined this hypothesis by epidemiological study of 2839 Japanese male workers who were not taking medications for hypertension. ECG-LVH was defined as meeting Sokolow-Lyon voltage criteria and/or Cornell voltage-duration product. The subjects were categorized by tertiles of serum adiponectin level, and a multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted relating left ventricular hypertrophy to adiponectin tertiles adjusting for potential confounding factors. Prevalence of ECG-LVH in the studied sample was 16.7%. Adiponectin ranged from 1.0 to 5.0 microg/mL in the lowest category and from 7.4 to 30.6 microg/mL in the highest. Compared with subjects in the highest adiponectin category, those in the lowest one had a significantly higher prevalence of ECG-LVH independent of age, body mass index, and systolic blood pressure with an odds ratio of 1.50 and a 95% CI of 1.16 to 1.94. Further adjustment for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride, and insulin resistance did not change the association (odds ratio: 1.68; 95% CI: 1.28 to 2.21; P<0.001). Similar results were obtained when different criteria for ECG-LVH were used or when subjects were stratified by blood pressure or body mass index. Adiponectin concentration was inversely and independently associated with ECG-LVH in Japanese men.

The transition to menopause reinforces adiponectin production and its contribution to improvement of insulin-resistant state.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of menopausal status on the serum adiponectin concentration and investigate whether the contribution of adiponectin to insulin resistance is modified by menopausal status. SUBJECTS: We conducted a population-based, cross-sectional study of 207 premenopausal and 206 postmenopausal Japanese women. MEASUREMENTS: Data on anthropometric characteristics, fasting serum adiponectin, glucose and insulin concentrations were used. Insulin resistance (homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance: HOMA-IR) was calculated. RESULTS: Postmenopausal women had significantly higher HOMA-IRs than premenopausal women [1.50 (1.42, 1.59) vs 1.18 (1.12, 1.24), geometric mean (1 standard error range), P = 0.005]. Paradoxically, adiponectin levels in postmenopausal women were also significantly higher than those in premenopausal women [10.3 (9.95, 10.7) vs 9.04 (8.71, 9.39), P = 0.028]. Multiple regression analysis showed that body mass index (BMI) was the only significantly independent predictor [standardized partial regression coefficients (sbeta) = 0.319, P < 0.001] for HOMA-IR among premenopausal women, whereas both BMI and adiponectin were the significant predictors among postmenopausal (sbeta = 0.334 and -0.141, P < 0.001 and < 0.05, respectively). When the subjects were restricted to those without metabolic disorders including high blood pressure, hypertriglyceridaemia, hypo-HDL cholesterolaemia and high fasting glucose, adiponectin (sbeta = -0.249, P < 0.05) was the only significant predictor for HOMA-IR among postmenopausal women but BMI was not significant (sbeta = 0.223, P = 0.075). CONCLUSIONS: The transition to menopause increases serum adiponectin concentrations. And the significant and negative association between adiponectin and HOMA-IR was observed only after menopause. Therefore, adiponectin may play a role in the improvement of an incipient insulin-resistant state after, rather than before, menopause.

A positive association between leptin and blood pressure of normal range in Japanese men.

The results of previous studies on the relationship between leptin and blood pressure are discordant. We investigated to what extent the serum leptin level was related to blood pressure independent of the degree of insulin resistance. The subjects were 1916 men aged 34-69 years whose mean body mass index (BMI) was 23.0 kg/m2. Blood pressure was regressed by leptin concentrations with adjustments for age, BMI, insulin resistance, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, physical activity, drinking habits and smoking status. Leptin was associated with diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (standardized beta: 0.092, p = 0.003), but not with systolic blood pressure (SBP) (standardized beta: 0.035, p = 0.25), although insulin resistance was positively associated with both SBP and DBP (standardized beta: 0.175 for SBP, p < 0.001 and 0.114 for DBP, p < 0.001) among all subjects. After subjects were divided into those with normal blood pressure (SBP <130 mmHg and DBP <85 mmHg) and those with higher blood pressure, leptin was positively and significantly associated with DBP (standardized beta: 0.106, p = 0.012) independent of the degree of insulin resistance, but not with SBP (standardized beta: 0.064, p = 0.13) among subjects in the normal blood pressure range. Among the subjects with higher blood pressure, however, neither the association of leptin with SBP nor that of leptin with DBP was statistically significant. These findings suggest that leptin may maintain and increase arterial tone, resulting in the elevation of DBP only within normal blood pressure range. It is also likely that leptin is a physiological mediator--or at least a marker--of some degree of DBP elevation in obesity.

Eating fast leads to obesity: findings based on self-administered questionnaires among middle-aged Japanese men and women.

BACKGROUND: Few epidemiologic studies have examined the association between the rate of eating and obesity. In this study, we cross-sectionally examined the association of the self-reported rate of eating with current Body Mass Index (BMI), and BMI-change from 20 years of age to the current age. METHODS: Subjects were 3737 male (mean age +/- standard deviation and mean BMI +/- standard deviation: 48.2 +/- 7.1 years and 23.3 +/- 2.7 kg/m(2)) and 1005 female (46.3 +/- 7.0 years and 21.8 +/- 2.8 kg/m(2)) Japanese civil servants. We measured self-reported categorical rate of eating, current BMI, BMI at age 20, and BMI-change from age 20. Energy intake was assessed over a 1-month period with a brief-type diet history questionnaire. RESULTS: The multiple regression analysis in which the current BMI was regressed by categorical rate of eating, energy intake, age, and lifestyle factors showed that current BMI steadily increased by -0.99, -0.67, 0.81, and 1.47 kg/m(2) along with the progress of categorical rate of eating from the 'medium' group to 'very slow', 'relatively slow', 'relatively fast', and 'very fast' groups, respectively, in men. In women, the corresponding values were -1.06, -0.35, 0.50, and 1.34 kg/m(2). When the BMI increment from age 20 to current age was regressed in the same manner, the increment was -0.63, -0.34, 0.57, and 1.05 kg/m(2) in men and -0.71, -0.32, 0.34, and 1.14 kg/m(2) in women, respectively. Additionally, both BMI at age 20 and current height were positively associated with rate of eating. CONCLUSIONS: Our results among middle-aged men and women suggest that eating fast would lead to obesity.

Low birth weight is associated with reduced adiponectin concentration in adult.

PURPOSE: Low birth weight has been associated with metabolic and vascular diseases, but the precise mechanism is debated. Adiponectin is one of the key molecules in metabolic disease, and a decrease in level precedes the onset of type 2 diabetes and development of atherosclerosis. Our aim is to examine whether low birth weight is associated with adiponectin concentration in adult. METHODS: We conducted a population-based cross-sectional study of 2277 subjects (1661 men and 616 women) aged 35 to 66 years who had their self-reported birth weights and adiponectin concentrations measured as adults. RESULTS: After adjusting for potential confounders, including age, sex, current body mass index (BMI), smoking status, alcohol consumption, and exercise, geometric mean adiponectin levels were 6.63, 6.45, 6.86, 7.05, 6.75, and 7.22 microg/mL for subjects with birth weights less than 2500, 2500 to less than 2800, 2800 to less than 3000, 3000 to less than 3200, 3200 to less than 3500, and greater than 3500 g, respectively. A positive association was found between birth weight and adiponectin concentration (trend p = 0.002). Stratified by current BMI of 25 kg/m2, a positive association was not observed for subjects with a BMI less than 25 kg/m2, but was pronounced in those with a BMI of 25 kg/m2 or greater. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that low birth weight contributes to decreased adiponectin concentrations in adult life independently of current BMI, especially for obese subjects.

Association between parental histories of hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia and the clustering of these disorders in offspring.

BACKGROUND: Familial aggregation of hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia has been well reported. However, only a few studies have assessed to what extent parental histories were involved in the clustering of these diseases. METHOD: In 2002, associations between parental histories of hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia and the clustering of high blood pressure, hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia in individuals were assessed on the basis of 5010 Japanese men and women aged 33-66 years. Risk factor clusters were defined as those having at least two of the three clinical disorders. RESULTS: Compared with persons with no parental history of the three diseases, those who had 1, 2 and 3 or more parental histories had risk factor clusters, 1.25 (95% CI: 1.07, 1.47), 1.46 (95% CI: 1.16, 1.84) and 1.41 (95% CI: 0.95, 2.11) times higher, respectively, after adjusting for confounding factors. ORs by 1, 2 and 3 of maternal history were 1.33 (95% CI: 1.12, 1.58), 1.65 (95% CI: 1.16, 2.35) and 1.69 (95% CI: 0.64, 4.42), respectively (trend P < 0.001). However, the number of paternal history was not associated with risk factor clusters. CONCLUSION: We conclude that familial history, particularly maternal history, is an important aid to prevention strategy and public health practice for metabolic disorders.

Comparison of circulating adiponectin and proinflammatory markers regarding their association with metabolic syndrome in Japanese men.

BACKGROUND: Anti-inflammatory and proinflammatory molecules purportedly play an important role in developing metabolic syndrome (MetS). However, little is known as to the relative importance of these molecules in the association with MetS. METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied 624 middle-aged Japanese men without medical history of cardiovascular disease or cancer and investigated the associations of circulating tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), and adiponectin with MetS. We used the respective definitions proposed by the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP-III), the International Diabetes Federation, and the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine. Decreased serum adiponectin was observed in those with any of the ATP-III-MetS components, whereas this was not the case with increased TNF-alpha, IL-6, or CRP. Adiponectin and CRP levels linearly deteriorated with an increasing number of ATP-III-MetS components (trend P<0.001, respectively). Significantly higher CRP and lower adiponectin levels were observed in those who met any MetS criteria, whereas increased TNF-alpha was observed in only those with ATP-III-MetS. Finally, odds ratios (ORs) for MetS prevalence of a 1-SD increase/decrease in log-transformed 4 markers were calculated with multivariate logistic regression analyses. Consequently, decreased adiponectin was associated most strongly with ATP-III-MetS (adiponectin: OR, 1.90 [95% CI, 1.44 to 2.51]; P<0.001; CRP: OR, 1.33 [95% CI, 1.01 to 1.74]; P=0.03; TNF-alpha: OR, 1.25 [95% CI, 0.94 to 1.67]; P=0.12; and IL-6: OR, 0.87 [95% CI, 0.63 to 1.19]; P=0.37). This result was not altered by using the other 2 criteria. CONCLUSIONS: The present results raise the possibility that decreased serum adiponectin might be fundamentally involved in the development of MetS.

Birth weight and adult hypertension: cross-sectional study in a Japanese workplace population.

BACKGROUND: Low birth weight has been associated with adult hypertension in several Western populations. This association needs to be evaluated in Japanese people. METHODS AND RESULTS: A population-based cross-sectional study of 3,107 subjects (2,303 males and 804 females) aged 35-66 years was conducted. The participants responded to a questionnaire about their birth weights, blood pressure, medical history, parental history, and lifestyle factors. Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure > or =140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure > or =90 mmHg and/or under treatment by anti-hypertensives. Multiple logistic regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, parental history, and lifestyle revealed the adjusted odds ratios for hypertension were 1.26 (95% confidence interval: 0.88-1.80), 1.00 (reference), 0.89 (0.73-1.08) and 0.70 (0.49-1.00) in subjects in birth weight categories of <2,500 g, 2,500-<3,000 g, 3,000-<3,500 g, 3,500- g, respectively (p-value for trend =0.009). Furthermore, this inverse association was clearly pronounced in normal-weight subjects. CONCLUSION: Low birth weight was independently associated with adult hypertension in the Japanese workplace population. Our results support the inverse association observed previously in Western populations and suggest that intrauterine environmental insults might lead to permanent changes in the metabolism and structure of the fetal organs influencing the regulation of blood pressure.

Inverse association between adiponectin and C-reactive protein in substantially healthy Japanese men.

OBJECTIVE: An inverse association between adiponectin and C-reactive protein (CRP) has been shown in certain pathological states including obesity, diabetes, and coronary artery disease, which themselves might have confounded this association. This study investigated the association between adiponectin and CRP among substantially healthy subjects. METHODS AND RESULTS: A population of 2347 middle-aged Japanese men with no medical history of cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, hypertension, or hyperlipidemia was evaluated. Those with some metabolic syndrome components from serological and anthropometric tests were excluded, leaving 714 men for analysis. Serum adiponectin and CRP were significantly correlated (r = -0.21, P < 0.001). After categorization into quartiles from the lowest to the highest adiponectin concentration (Q1 to Q4), the CRP level was found to be significantly higher in Q1 than in Q2, Q3 and Q4 (0.41 mg/L versus 0.30, 0.25 and 0.24 mg/L, P = 0.043, P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). These associations remained significant even after adjustment for covariates. Moreover, multiple linear regression analysis revealed that adiponectin contributed more strongly to CRP than other factors, including the index of insulin resistance. CONCLUSIONS: An inverse and strong association between adiponectin and CRP in substantially healthy subjects implies that decreased serum adiponectin might be fundamentally associated with the early stage of low-grade inflammation.

Long-term body weight fluctuation is associated with metabolic syndrome independent of current body mass index among Japanese men.

BACKGROUND: The relation between weight fluctuation and the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is fairly consistent, although the physiologic basis for the relationship is uncertain. In the present study the association between long-term weight fluctuation and the development of metabolic syndrome (MS), a potent CVD risk factor, was investigated. METHODS AND RESULTS: A cross-sectional study of 664 Japanese men aged 40-49 years was conducted. The root mean square error around the slope of weight on age (weight - RMSE) was calculated by a simple linear regression model, in which the subject's actual weights at ages 20, 25, 30 years and 5 years prior to the study, as well as current weight, were dependent variables against the subject's age as the independent variable. Weight-RMSE was significantly and positively associated with the prevalence of each MS components (high blood pressure, hypertriglyceridemia, low-high density lipoprotein-cholesterol, high fasting glucose, and obesity). Such associations, as well as clustering of the MS component together with RMSE increase, were apparent among subjects with body mass index (BMI) <25 kg/m2, although the prevalence of MS or its components was much higher among overweight subjects (BMI >or=25 kg/m2). CONCLUSIONS: Development of MS possibly explains the risk of CVD not only in overweight or obese persons, but also in normal-weight persons with large weight fluctuation.