[Comparison of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in plasma and erythrocyte phospholipids for biological monitoring].

OBJECTIVES: Previous data have indicated that the erythrocyte membrane may be the preferred sample type for assessing long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA) contents in cardiac and cerebral membranes. In this epidemiological study, we examined whether plasma phospholipids can be used for accurate biological monitoring of the LCPUFA state or whether analysis of erythrocyte membrane phospholipids is indispensable. METHODS: (1) The analysis of LCPUFA contents in erythrocyte membrane phospholipids was conducted at baseline and after 1 and 3 days at 4°C, and 21 days at -40°C, after blood drawing, and the changes in LCPUFA content were examined. (2) The LCPUFA compositions of plasma and erythrocyte phospholipids in 133 young women (18-30 years old) were examined and the relationships between the sample type and the levels of LCPUFAs were determined. RESULTS: Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and DHA/arachidonic acid (AA) and (EPA+DHA)/AA ratios in erythrocyte membrane phospholipids after 21 days of blood drawing significantly decreased compared with the corresponding baseline data. Regarding AA, EPA and DHA, a significant positive correlation was shown between levels of erythrocyte membrane phospholipids and plasma phospholipids (AA, r=0.364; EPA, r=0.709; DHA, r=0.653). The predictive value of plasma phospholipids for determining the highest concentration quartile in erythrocyte phospholipids was better in EPA (70%) than in DHA (55%) and AA (42%). CONCLUSIONS: The measurement of LCPUFA content in erythrocyte membrane phospholipids is necessary for accurate biological monitoring. We also found that LCPUFA in erythrocyte membrane phospholipids is stable in cold storage (4°C) for 3 days after blood drawing.

[Construction of Maladaptive Behavior Scale in Japanese].

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate child development, social competence, like intellectual ability, is an important aspect. The social competence of a child is prescribed by behaviors suitable for the society (adaptive behaviors) and behaviors not suitable for the society (maladaptive behaviors). The Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (VABS) have been widely administered to children in a semi-structural interview to evaluate social competence. The Social Competence test (S-M test) widely used in Japan is a translated version of the Vineland Social Maturity Scale for adaptive behaviors. Since only the region of adaptive behaviors was translated into Japanese, we attempted to develop a Maladaptive Behavior Scale in Japanese based on the VABS to evaluate the social competence of children. METHODS: The Maladaptive Behavior Scale of the VABS was translated into Japanese and back-translated to ensure appropriate translation. It was administered to children belonging to the birth cohort of the Tohoku Study of Child Development at the age of 66 months. The subjects for analysis in this study were 451 children (230 boys, 221 girls). RESULTS: To assess internal consistency, we used the standardized Cronbach alpha coefficient and the result was 0.81. The correlation coefficient between the scores of the S-M test and those of the Maladaptive Behavior Scale was -0.15. The correlation coefficient between the scores of the Child Behavior Checklist at 30 months and those of the Maladaptive Behavior Scale was 0.44. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the Maladaptive Behavior Scale may be a reliable instrument for assessing maladaptive behavior in Japanese children.