Body Part Pain Affects Subjective and Objective Handball Performance in Japanese Male National Athletes-Results of Short-Term Practical Monitoring of Athletes' Conditions.

This short-term survey examined the effect of body part pain on subjective and objective handball performance in Japanese male national handball athletes. Fourteen athletes participated in this study. Assessments of pain in 10 body parts and subjective performance (concentration and satisfaction with body movement) were performed using a visual analog scale from 0 to 10 over four consecutive training days. Monitoring of heart rate and body acceleration during training was also performed to quantify the objective performance. Path analysis and linear mixed modeling were employed to assess the relationship between body pain scores and subjective/objective handball performance. Over the four days of the study period, the body part in which most athletes reported pain was the dominant shoulder (6 of 14 athletes), followed by the dominant knee, the dominant elbow, the dominant ankle joint, and the non-dominant ankle joint (3 of 14 athletes). The path analysis revealed that pain in the dominant elbow negatively correlated with concentration (standardized path coefficient = -0.644, p = 0.00), which was associated with satisfaction with body movement (standardized path coefficient = 0.704, p = 0.00). No significant effect of body pain on objective performance (heart rate and body acceleration) was found among the athletes in this study. The results suggested that the elite athletes were practicing with pain. Even if pain does not physically affect athletes' objective performance, pain in the upper extremities, associated with the primary handball movement of throwing, may reduce the quality of practice by lowering athletes' subjective performance.

Dietary amino acid intake and sleep duration are additively involved in future cognitive decline in Japanese adults aged 60 years or over: a community-based longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND: Sleep duration and amino acid intake are independently associated with cognitive decline. This study aimed to determine the longitudinal association between sleep duration and cognitive impairment incidence and to examine the involvement of diet, particularly amino acid intake, in these associations in community dwellers. METHODS: In this longitudinal study in a community-based setting, we analyzed data from 623 adults aged 60-83 years without cognitive impairment at baseline. Sleep duration was assessed using a self-report questionnaire. Amino acid intake was assessed using 3-day dietary records. Cognitive impairment was defined as a Mini-Mental State Examination score ≤ 27. Participants were classified into short-, moderate-, and long-sleep groups according to baseline sleep duration (≤ 6, 7-8, and > 8 h, respectively). Using moderate sleep as a reference, odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of short- and long-sleep for cognitive-impairment incidence were estimated using the generalized estimating equation. Participants were classified according to sex-stratified quartiles (Q) of 19 amino acid intake: Q1 and Q2-Q4 were low- and middle to high-intake groups, respectively. Using middle- to high-intake as a reference, ORs and 95% CIs of low intake for cognitive impairment incidence were estimated using the generalized estimating equation in each sleep-duration group. Follow-up period, sex, age, body mass index, depressive symptoms, education, smoking status, employment status, sleep aids use, physical activity, medical history, and Mini-Mental State Examination score at baseline were covariates. RESULTS: Mean follow-up period was 6.9 ± 2.1 years. Adjusted ORs (95% CIs) for cognitive impairment in short- and long-sleep groups were 0.81 (0.49-1.35, P = 0.423) and 1.41 (1.05-1.87, P = 0.020), respectively. Particularly in long sleepers (i.e., > 8 h), cognitive impairment was significantly associated with low cystine, proline, and serine intake [adjusted ORs (95% CIs) for cognitive impairment were 2.17 (1.15-4.11, P = 0.017), 1.86 (1.07-3.23, P = 0.027), and 2.21 (1.14-4.29, P = 0.019), respectively]. CONCLUSIONS: Community-dwelling adults aged ≥ 60 years who sleep longer are more likely to have cognitive decline, and attention should be paid to the low cystine, proline, and serine intake.

Effects of Non-Essential Amino Acids on Knee Joint Conditions in Adults: A Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Joint problems impair performance during exercise and daily activities and influence quality of life. The present study aimed to examine the effects of a combination of six non-essential amino acids (6AA) on joint conditions in an adult population. A total of 50 participants aged between 20 and 64 years with joint discomfort but no diagnosed joint disorder were randomly and blindly assigned to a control or 6AA group. The 6AA group took 12 g of the non-essential amino acid formulation orally (4 g three times a day) and the control group took equivalent doses of a placebo. Each group maintained the daily dose for 12 weeks. Primary outcome measures were evaluated with the visual analogue scale (VAS), the Japanese Knee Osteoarthritis Measure (JKOM), and the Japanese Orthopaedic Association score (JOA). These tests were taken before the experiment began at 4 weeks and 12 weeks after the intervention. The results of the VAS indicated that 6AA improved joint pain, discomfort, and stiffness both during a resting state and during normal activity. Participants' scores on the JKOM and JOA also showed significant improvements in the group that had taken the 6AA supplement. These results demonstrate that 6AA improves symptoms of joint problems, such as pain, discomfort, stiffness, and difficulty in performing daily activities after 4 weeks of daily consumption.

Effects of an essential amino acid mixture on behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia and executive function in patients with Alzheimer's disease: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled exploratory clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: The increasing number of dementia patients has become a global social problem. Amino acids are known to be used as precursors of neurotransmitters in the brain. Amino acid mixtures as a supplement may be used as a solution to Alzheimer's symptoms. This exploratory study evaluated the efficacy and safety of a mixture containing nine essential amino acids on behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) and cognitive function in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). DESIGN: We conducted a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the intervention effects of nine essential amino acid mixture for 28 days. A total of 36 patients with AD were enrolled in Japan. BPSD and cognitive function were evaluated by the Neuropsychiatric Inventory-12 item (NPI-12; the primary endpoint), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Trail Making Test A (TMT-A), Trail Making Test B (TMT-B), Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB), and Clinical Dementia Rating Scale (CDR). RESULTS: Compared with placebo, the amino acid mixture did not improve NPI-12, MMSE, TMT-A and B or CDR scores. However, the analysis of covariance revealed improved FAB scores in the amino acid mixture group as a secondary endpoint. There were four subjects with adverse events in each group. CONCLUSIONS: Our results did not show a beneficial effect of the mixture containing nine essential amino acids on BPSD as a primary endpoint; however, it may improve executive function in patients with AD.

[Cross-sectional association between the amino acid intake and episodic memory in middle- and old-aged community dwellers].

AIM: The specific amino acid intake has been suggested to be positively associated with the cognitive function. However, few reports have investigated the association between the amino acid intake and episodic memory (EM). Therefore, we investigated this association. METHODS: Data were obtained from the fourth survey (2004-2006) of the National Institute for Longevity Sciences - Longitudinal Study of Aging. We analyzed 2,082 participants 40-85 years old (50.1% male). The dietary intake was assessed by the three-day dietary records, and participants were classified into sex- and age-specific tertiles of protein and amino acid intakes. EM was assessed using the Logical Memory II of the Wechsler Memory Scale. The association of protein and amino acid intakes with EM was analyzed using the general linear model. Covariates were sex, age, body mass index, education, depressive symptoms, smoking status, employment status, living alone, and medical history in model 1. The energy intake was added to model 1 in model 2. The protein intake was added to model 2 in model 3. RESULTS: The mean (standard deviation) age was 59.4 (12.3) years old. After adjusting for the energy intake, the EM tended to be higher with a higher protein intake (p=0.053 for group differences and p=0.015 for trends). Furthermore, after adjusting for energy and protein intake, EM was significantly higher with higher intakes of isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, tryptophan, valine, and histidine (p< 0.05, both for group differences and trends). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest a positive association between EM and the intake of essential and semi-essential amino acids, independent of the protein and energy intake.

Intake of Seven Essential Amino Acids Improves Cognitive Function and Psychological and Social Function in Middle-Aged and Older Adults: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Background: To delay the onset of dementia, it is important for healthy adults to take preventive actions before the cognitive function clearly declines. Protein malnutrition is a potential risk factor for senile dementia, although the precise link between protein/amino acid nutrition and cognitive function is unknown. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of the ingestion of seven selected essential amino acids as a granular powder, namely, leucine, phenylalanine, and lysine supplemented with isoleucine, histidine, valine, and tryptophan on cognitive and psychosocial functions in healthy adults. Methods: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was conducted. A total of 105 participants aged 55 years or older were randomly assigned to one of three groups: daily ingestion of 3 g (3gIG) or 6 g (6gIG) of the selected amino acids or daily ingestion of a placebo (PCG). Each group ingested the test powder for 12 weeks. As the main outcome, cognitive function was assessed before and after ingestion by a cognitive test battery. Psychosocial functions were also examined. Results: The numbers of participants excluding dropouts were 35 in PCG and 3gIG and 33 in 6gIG. Analysis of covariance revealed that the 6gIG showed significantly improved cognitive function (Trail Making Test B), social interaction and psychological health scores after ingestion compared to the PCG (multiplicity adjusted p < 0.05). Conclusions: Current findings suggested that ingestion of the seven essential amino acids led to improved attention and cognitive flexibility and psychosocial functioning, which is expected to prevent cognitive decline. Clinical Trial Registration: University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trial Registry (URL: https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000037779, Identifier: UMIN000033174).

l-Serine and EPA Relieve Chronic Low-Back and Knee Pain in Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Multisite pain, including low-back and knee pain, is a major health issue that greatly decreases quality of life. OBJECTIVES: This study analyzed the effects of l-serine, which provides necessary components for nerve function, and EPA, which exerts anti-inflammatory properties, on pain scores of adults with pain in at least the low back and knee for ≥3 mo. METHODS: This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study. The Japan Low Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire (JLEQ) and Japanese Knee Osteoarthritis Measure (JKOM) were applied as primary outcomes. The Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) and safety evaluation were secondary outcomes. We enrolled 120 participants aged ≥20 y (36 men and 84 women: mean ± SD age = 40.8 ± 10.9 y). The participants were randomly allocated to either the active group (daily ingestion of 594 mg l-serine and 149 mg EPA) or placebo group. The study period consisted of 8-wk dosing and 4-wk posttreatment observation. ANCOVA between groups for each time point was conducted using the baseline scores as covariates. RESULTS: The JLEQ scores (active compared with placebo: 14.2 ± 11.2 compared with 19.0 ± 10.2) at week 8 were lower in the active group (P < 0.001). The JKOM scores at week 4 (11.7 ± 9.0 compared with 13.9 ± 7.9), week 8 (10.4 ± 7.9 compared with 13.1 ± 7.1), and week 12 (10.3 ± 7.4 compared with 13.8 ± 7.5) were lower in the active group (P ≤ 0.04). Additionally, the active group had 11-27% better scores compared with the placebo group for BPI1 (worst pain), BPI3 (average pain), and BPI5D (pain during moving) at week 4 (P ≤ 0.028) and week 8 (P ≤ 0.019), respectively, and BPI5D was 23% better in the active group at week 12 (P = 0.007). No adverse events were observed. CONCLUSIONS: l-Serine and EPA were effective for pain relief in adults with low-back and knee pain after multiplicity adjustment.This trial was registered at the University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry as UMIN000035056.

Practical approaches for design and analysis of clinical trials of infertility treatments: crossover designs and the Mantel-Haenszel method are recommended.

Crossover designs have some advantages over standard clinical trial designs and they are often used in trials evaluating the efficacy of treatments for infertility. However, clinical trials of infertility treatments violate a fundamental condition of crossover designs, because women who become pregnant in the first treatment period are not treated in the second period. In previous research, to deal with this problem, some new designs, such as re-randomization designs, and analysis methods including the logistic mixture model and the beta-binomial mixture model were proposed. Although the performance of these designs and methods has previously been evaluated in large-scale clinical trials with sample sizes of more than 1000 per group, the actual sample sizes of infertility treatment trials are usually around 100 per group. The most appropriate design and analysis for these moderate-scale clinical trials are currently unclear. In this study, we conducted simulation studies to determine the appropriate design and analysis method of moderate-scale clinical trials for irreversible endpoints by evaluating the statistical power and bias in the treatment effect estimates. The Mantel-Haenszel method had similar power and bias to the logistic mixture model. The crossover designs had the highest power and the smallest bias. We recommend using a combination of the crossover design and the Mantel-Haenszel method for two-period, two-treatment clinical trials with irreversible endpoints.

A comparison of the potential unfavorable effects of oxycholesterol and oxyphytosterol in mice: different effects, on cerebral 24S-hydroxychoelsterol and serum triacylglycerols levels.

Sterol oxidation products derived from cholesterol and phytosterol are formed during the processing and storage of foods. The objective of the present study was to assess the potential unfavorable effects of oxysterols in mice. C57BL/6J mice were fed an AIN-93G-based diet containing 0.2 g/kg of oxycholesterol or oxyphytosterol for 4 weeks. The most abundant oxysterol in the diet was 7-ketosterol, but alpha-epoxycholesterol, beta-epoxycholesterol, or 7alpha-hydroxyphytosterol, and 7beta-hydroxyphytosterol were more prominent than 7-ketosterol in the serum and liver respectively. Consumption of both oxysterols resulted in an increased in 4beta-hydroxycholesterol and total oxycholesterol in the liver, but the oxycholesterol-fed mice had a lower level of cerebral 24S-hydroxycholesterol and a higher level of the serum triacylglycerols than the control and oxyphytosterol groups. These results indicate that both oxysterols in the diet are accumulated in the body, but that the biological effect of oxycholesterol is different from that of oxyphytosterol.