Phospholipid concentration in lung lavage fluid as biomarker for pulmonary fibrosis.

Pulmonary surfactant comprised primarily of phospholipids is a phospholipid-protein complex synthesized by type II alveolar epithelial cells or Clara cells and secreted to the pulmonary alveoli. As changes have been found in phospholipid concentrations in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of patients with pulmonary fibrosis, phospholipid is considered to be involved in the process of fibrois/fibrotic process. Therefore, we made a crystalline silica rat model and measured phospholipid concentrations in lung lavage fluid in order to study the relationship of phospholipid to particle-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Eight-week-old Wistar male rats (n = 35) were injected with 2 mg crystalline silica particles suspended in 0.4 ml physiological saline. Rats in the control group (n = 35) were injected with physiological saline only. There were 7 rats in each of the ten subgroups. Rats were sacrificed and dissected at 3 days, 1 wk, 1 mo, 3 mo, and 6 mo after injection. Bronchoalveolar lavage was conducted on bronchoalveoli recovered from the right lung of each rat, the lavage fluid was centrifuged, and the supernatant was used to measure phospholipid concentration. The results were compared with previously reported inflammation scores. Phospholipid concentrations in lung lavage fluid for the exposed group showed a statistically significant increase compared to the control group throughout the observation period. Moreover, when compared to histopathologically examined inflammation scores, a positive correlation was found between the two. Judging from the facts that phospholipid concentrations in lung lavage fluid increased and that this increase correlated with the severity of inflammation, this experiment indicated that phospholipids are involved in particle-induced lung disorders.

Effect of six months lifestyle intervention in Japanese men with metabolic syndrome: randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) has been remarkably increasing worldwide. However, few studies have examined the effect of lifestyle intervention among subjects with MS. We investigated the effect of a six-month lifestyle modification program on the prevalence of MS and its associated biomarkers among Japanese men with MS. METHODS: Subjects were randomly assigned to either the intervention (n=53) or control (n=54) group. Subjects in the intervention group received a lifestyle modification program focused on exercise and diet behavior from a trained occupational health nurse at the baseline and at one and three months. The effect of intervention was assessed by differences in changes in the prevalence of MS, its components and associated biomarkers between the two groups. RESULTS: Of the 107 participants, 102 completed the survey at the end of six months (intervention group, n=49; control group, n=53). During the study period, the prevalence of MS decreased to 65.3% and 62.3% in the intervention group and control group, respectively. However, the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant (p=0.75). A significant reduction in body weight, waist circumference and glycated hemoglobin was observed in the intervention group compared with the control group. In the intervention group, time spent on physical activity was increased by nearly one hour per week, and the intakes of cereals and sugar and sweeteners were significantly decreased. CONCLUSIONS: Although the tailor-made lifestyle modification program among men with MS did not provide an additional benefit in decreasing the prevalence of MS, it may help weight control and improve glucose metabolism.