Adiponectin does not bind to gelatin: a new and easy way to purify high-molecular-weight adiponectin from human plasma.

Human plasma contains three forms of adiponectin, a trimer, a hexamer, and a high-molecular-weight (HMW) multimer. We previously reported HMW adiponectin was a gelatin-binding protein of 28 kDa (GBP28), it having been purified due to its affinity to gelatin-Cellulofine (Nakano, Y., et al. Isolation and characterization of GBP28, a novel gelatin-binding protein purified from human plasma. J. Biochem. 1996. 120: 803-12). Although HMW adiponectin binds to gelatin-Cellulofine, it cannot bind to gelatin-Sepharose. Gelatin-Cellulofine was made of formyl-Cellulofine and gelatin, and we found that HMW adiponectin binds to reduced formyl-Cellulofine with similar affinity as to gelatin-Cellulofine. Through only two steps using reduced formyl-Cellulofine and DEAE-Sepharose, HMW adiponectin can be effectively purified from human plasma.

Lifestyle factors and visible skin aging in a population of Japanese elders.

BACKGROUND: The number of studies that use objective and quantitative methods to evaluate facial skin aging in elderly people is extremely limited, especially in Japan. Therefore, in this cross-sectional study we attempted to characterize the condition of facial skin (hyperpigmentation, pores, texture, and wrinkling) in Japanese adults aged 65 years or older by using objective and quantitative imaging methods. In addition, we aimed to identify lifestyle factors significantly associated with these visible signs of aging. METHODS: The study subjects were 802 community-dwelling Japanese men and women aged at least 65 years and living in the town of Kurabuchi (Takasaki City, Gunma Prefecture, Japan), a mountain community with a population of approximately 4800. The facial skin condition of subjects was assessed quantitatively using a standardized facial imaging system and subsequent computer image analysis. Lifestyle information was collected using a structured questionnaire. The association between skin condition and lifestyle factors was examined using multivariable regression analysis. RESULTS: Among women, the mean values for facial texture, hyperpigmentation, and pores were generally lower than those among age-matched men. There was no significant difference between sexes in the severity of facial wrinkling. Older age was associated with worse skin condition among women only. After adjusting for age, smoking status and topical sun protection were significantly associated with skin condition among both men and women. CONCLUSIONS: Our study revealed significant differences between sexes in the severity of hyperpigmentation, texture, and pores, but not wrinkling. Smoking status and topical sun protection were significantly associated with signs of visible skin aging in this study population.

Serum antioxidants and age-related macular degeneration among older Japanese.

From the perspective of human nutrition, the prevention of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) through diet control is feasible and desirable. We investigated the relationship between serum antioxidants and AMD in the community-dwelling older Japanese eating a typical Japanese diet. In this study, 722 subjects aged 65 years or older (297 males and 425 females) who had gradable fundus photographs were included. The subjects were divided into three groups of early or late AMD or non-maculopathy. Serum antioxidants (alpha-, gamma-tocopherols, retinol, beta-cryptoxanthin, alpha-, beta-carotenes, lycopene, and lutein and zeaxanthin) were measured with high-performance liquid chromatography. To clarify the combined effect as the group of the antioxidants, we defined the carotene family (alpha-, beta-carotenes and lycopene) and carotenoid family (beta-cryptoxanthin, alpha-, beta-carotenes, lycopene, lutein and zeaxanthin). Tertiles of each serum antioxidant were obtained and the prevalence of early or late AMD was compared with univariate or multivariate analysis. The overall prevalence of early AMD was 4.4% (95% confidence interval: 3.1-6.2) and late AMD was 1.1% (0.5-2.2). Only alpha-tocopherol and beta-cryptoxanthin were related to late AMD as single antioxidants. On the other hand, the carotene and carotenoid families as a combination of antioxidants were protectively associated with late AMD. No relationship was found between serum antioxidants and early AMD. Our findings support the hypothesis that a combination of serum antioxidants obtained from the traditional Japanese diet is protective for late AMD, but not for early AMD.

Iron intake does not significantly correlate with iron deficiency among young Japanese women: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the association of nutrient intake with Fe deficiency with regard to lifestyle factors and health condition in young Japanese women. Uniquely among developed countries, dietary habits render Japanese populations vulnerable to Fe deficiency, owing to their relatively low intake of Fe and high intake of Fe absorption inhibitors, such as green tea and soyabeans. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. SETTING AND SUBJECTS: The subjects were 1019 female Japanese dietetic students aged 18-25 years. Dietary habits during the preceding month were assessed using a previously validated, self-administered, diet history questionnaire. Blood analysis was performed to assess body Fe status. Subjects were categorized with Fe deficiency when their serum ferritin levels were <12 ng/ml. Twenty-nine dietary variables, i.e. intakes of energy, sixteen nutrients including Fe and twelve food groups, were analysed using multivariate logistic regression models adjusted for possible confounders. RESULTS: Of the subjects, 24.5% were categorized with Fe deficiency. However, no dietary factors assessed were significantly associated with Fe deficiency. The risk of Fe deficiency was significantly lower in women with infrequent or no menstrual cycles than in those with regular cycles (OR = 0.58; 95% CI 0.34, 1.00) and significantly higher in women with heavy menstrual flow than in women with average flow, albeit that these were self-reported (OR = 1.83; 95% CI 1.35, 2.48). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that dietary habits, including Fe intake, do not significantly correlate with Fe deficiency among young Japanese women.

Effects of SO2 on respiratory system of adult Miyakejima resident 2 years after returning to the island.

BACKGROUND: Mt. Oyama in Miyakejima Island erupted in June, 2000. All Miyake villagers were forced to evacuate from the island in September, 2000, due to continuous eruptions and emissions of unsafe amounts of volcanic gas, mainly SO2. From February, 2005, Miyake villagers returned to the island despite volcanic gas still being emitted. OBJECTIVES: This study examines the 2-yr changes in Miyake residents' respiratory systems from autumn 2004 to November 2006. METHODS: The study population was 823 Miyake adult residents who participated in the health check-up in 2006. Respiratory effects were evaluated by a questionnaire for respiratory symptoms and spirometry. SO2 has been continuously monitored at 7 sampling points of the inhabited area. The mean SO2 concentration from February 2005 to November 2006 was 0.031 ppm. The area was categorized into 4 areas by SO2 concentration, namely, areas L, H-1, H-2 and H-3, where average SO2 concentrations were 0.019, 0.026, 0.032, and 0.045 ppm, respectively. RESULTS: The study subjects showed no deterioration in lung function. Prevalence of cough and phlegm among all participants were significantly higher in 2006 than in 2004, and age-, sex- and smoking-adjusted odds ratios of cough and phlegm were 1.75 (95%CI 1.33-2.30) and 1.44 (1.12-1.87). Prevalence of chronic bronchitis-like symptoms among normosusceptive subjects in 2006 was 4.1% which was significantly higher than that of 2.1% in 2004 (p=0.035). Compared to area L, the frequencies of phlegm and irritation of the nose were significantly increased in areas H-2 and H-3. CONCLUSION: SO2 exposure-related respiratory symptoms were observed in adult Miyakejima residents after returning to the island.

[Intake and excretion of cadmium and iron balance and influence of dietary habits among young women].

OBJECTIVE: Absorption of cadmium is increased by deficiency of iron in animals, but it is uncertain that the same phenomenon occurs in humans. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between cadmium and iron in the body and to evaluate the influence of dietary habits. METHODS: Twenty-five healthy women, aged 20-23 years, were selected by excluding those with renal disease and habitual constipation. They participated in the dietary intervention study to estimate tolerable weekly intake of Cd for 3 weeks in the same dormitory. At 3 months before, at 0 Day, at the 12th Day of the study and 9 months after the study, health check-ups were performed, and Cd in the blood and urine, hemoglobin (Hb), serum iron (iron) and serum ferritin (ferritin) were measured. RESULTS: Cd concentration in the blood (B-Cd) showed a significant correlation with Cd concentration in the urine (U-Cd), and inverse correlation with the body iron storage, such as Hb, iron and ferritin. A food frequency questionnaire showed that no subject showed insufficient dietary intake of iron. Subjects who had eaten grain, millet and brown rice showed higher levels of B-Cd and U-Cd and low levels of Hb, iron and ferritin. CONCLUSION: Absorption of Cd tended to increase according to a low level of body iron storage among healthy young women.

Uptake of cadmium in meals from the digestive tract of young non-smoking Japanese female volunteers.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate rates of cadmium (Cd) uptake from the digestive tract and changes in Cd in biological specimens after intake of Cd mainly in rice. METHODS: Twenty-five young non-smoking Japanese female volunteers (20-23 in age) were recruited and a 20-d experimental study was conducted. With polished rice containing 0.004 ppm and 0.340 ppm of Cd, Meal L and Meal H were prepared. Approximately 12% of total Cd in Meal L and 92% of total Cd in Meal H originated in rice. The volunteers ate Meal L for 11 d to achieve a stable intake-output balance of Cd. Fifteen of the 25 volunteers ate Meal H on the 12(th) day (Group D1), and the remaining 10 ate Meal H on the 12(th), 13(th) and 14(th) day (Group D3). All 25 subjects then resumed the consumption of Meal L to the end of the study (20(th) day). All meals, feces and urine were collected during the study, and Cd intake from the daily meals (Cd-I), Cd in feces (Cd-F) and Cd in urine (Cd-U) were determined. For measurement of Cd in blood (Cd-B), venous blood was collected from all volunteers on the day before the study and again on the 12(th) and 20(th) day; venous blood was also collected from 4-8 volunteers at additional time points. RESULTS: Mean Cd-I was 4.51 microg/d (range: 1.85-6.93) or 48.48 microg/d (range: 27.98-56.27) when they ate Meal L or Meal H. Cd-F and Cd-B exhibited faster responses to the change in Cd-I than did Cd-U. The Cd(uptake) rate, defined as (1-Cd-F(excess) /Cd-I(excess)) (Fig. 1), was 47.2% (range: -9.4-83.3%) in Group D1 and 36.6% (range: -9.2-73.5%) in Group D3, and the Cd(balance) rate, defined as (1-Cd-F(output) /Cd-I(intake)), was 23.9% (range: -4.0-37.7%) in Group D1 and 23.7% (range: -8.2-56.9%) in Group D3. CONCLUSIONS: Cd-F and Cd-B are better biological monitoring parameters for assessing change in Cd-I than Cd-U. The Cd(uptake) and Cd(balance) rates appeared to be higher than those in previous papers when ingested Cd mainly originated in rice.

Isoflavones for prevention of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, gynecological problems and possible immune potentiation.

Japanese women show low incidence of and mortality from breast cancer, cardiovascular disease and climacteric symptoms compared to Caucasians. High soy bean intake is considered to attribute to that, but it is not clear whether soy protein itself or isoflavones (IFs) mixed in the soy protein has such effects. Presence of IFs in soy beans was varied by site, so we made IF-rich tablets from daidzein-rich soy germ (hypocotyl) for intervention studies. Our intervention study on young women by using the IF-rich tablet (20 and 40 mg/day) showed slight elongation of the menstrual cycle, but no adverse effects occurred. Intervention study on climacteric women showed improvement of bone density, hypertension and climacteric symptoms. Health effects of IFs on cancer occurrence, cardiovascular diseases, gynecological problems and possible immune potentiation are reviewed from functional aspects.