[Investigating the relationship between higher life functions, overall mortality, and incidence of care needs in long-term follow-up study of the local population: The Kamogawa Cohort Study].

Objectives　In addition to physical independence such as ADLs, higher-level functional capacity ("instrumental self-maintenance," "intellectual activity," and "social role") are necessary to lead the final stage of life as independently and for as long as possible. Accordingly, in a long-term follow-up study of the local population, we examined the association of health status (total mortality and incidence of care needs) with instrumental independence, intellectual activity, and social role.Methods　We used participant data from the Kamogawa cohort study, which included surveyed use of health service, health status, disease prevalence, and use of long-term care insurance service for Kamogawa citizens in Chiba prefecture from 2003 to 2013. We compared the differences in lifestyle and higher-level functional capacity, by status of death and using the Long-term Care Insurance service. Higher-level functional capacity was assessed with the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology-Index of Competence (TMIG-IC); answer to each question, each domain score, and total score were examined.Results　During the follow-up period to the end of March 2013, 810 deaths and 917 care needs were observed among the 6,503 people who consented to be followed up. The adjusted HR of higher-level functional capacity for all-cause mortality was "instrumental self-maintenance," score 4 or 5 to less than 3: 2.03 (95%CI: 1.59-2.60), "intellectual activity," score 4 to less than 3: 1.39 (95%CI: 1.09-1.77), and "social role," score 4 to less than 3: 1.28 (95%CI: 1.03-1.59). In subgroup analyses by sex, "instrumental self-maintenance" was associated with both men and women, but "intellectual activity" and "social roles" were associated with women only. The adjusted HRs for the incidence of care needs were 1.93 (95%CI: 1.55-2.40) for "instrumental self-maintenance" and 1.30 (95%CI: 1.07-1.58) for "social role." In subgroup analyses by sex, "instrumental self-maintenance" was associated with both genders, but "social role" was observed only for women.Conclusion　Higher-level functional capacity ("instrumental self-maintenance," "intellectual activity," and "social role") was significantly associated with total mortality and incidence of care needs.

End-of-life care bonus promoting end-of-life care in nursing homes: An 11-year retrospective longitudinal prefecture-wide study in Japan.

The end-of-life (EOL) care bonus introduced by the Japanese government works as a financial incentive and framework of quality preservation, including advance care planning, for EOL care among nursing home residents. This study aims to clarify the effects of the EOL care bonus in promoting EOL care in nursing homes. A longitudinal observational study using a questionnaire was conducted. We invited 378 nursing homes in Kanagawa prefecture in Japan, a region with a rapidly aging population, to participate in the study. The outcome was the number of residents dying in nursing homes from 2004 to 2014. In a linear mixed model, fixed-effect factors included year established, unit care, regional elderly population rate and hospital beds, adjacent affiliated hospital, full-time physician on site, physician's support during off-time, basic EOL care policy, usage of the EOL care bonus, EOL care conference, and staff experience of EOL care. A total of 237 nursing home facilities responded (62.7%). The linear mixed model showed that the availability of the EOL care bonus (coefficient 3.1, 95 % CI 0.67-5.51, p = 0.012) and years of usage of the EOL care bonus (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with increased numbers of residents dying in nursing homes. Our analysis revealed that the EOL care bonus has the potential to increase the number of residents receiving EOL care in nursing homes over several years. EOL care conferences, physician support for emergency care during off-time, and the presence of an adjacent affiliated hospital may also increase the number of residents receiving EOL care in nursing homes. These results suggest that a government financial incentive may contribute to effective EOL care among nursing home residents in other developed countries with rapidly aging populations.

Increasing trends in cervical cancer mortality among young Japanese women below the age of 50 years: an analysis using the Kanagawa population-based Cancer Registry, 1975-2012.

BACKGROUND: In Japan, cervical cancer (CC) deaths among women aged <50 years have doubled over the last three decades. Obtaining age-specific CC mortality rates among young women is important for taking measures against CC. Age-adjusted CC mortality rates for all ages are inadequate because of the classification of 'uterine cancer, not otherwise specified' (NOS uterine cancer) and CC mortality rates among elderly women. The aim of the present study was to calculate exact age-specific CC mortality rates in women aged <50 years in Kanagawa, taking into account the impact of NOS uterine cancer. METHODS: Using the Kanagawa Cancer Registry, CC deaths (1975-2012) were analyzed and CC mortality rates (age-adjusted, 20-29, 30-49, and ≥50 years) were calculated. In addition, hospitals were surveyed to reclassify cases of NOS uterine cancer. After reclassification, chronological trends were also analyzed. RESULTS: Age-specific CC mortality rates in Kanagawa and Japan overall showed increasing trends for ages 20-29 (P for trend<0.001) and 30-49 (P for trend<0.001). Rates of NOS uterine cancer death were significantly lower in Kanagawa than in Japan overall (P<0.05), except for patients aged <50 years in 2005-2009 (P=0.159). CONCLUSIONS: The present study revealed concern for CC among Japanese women younger than 50 years. Well-organized CC screening and HPV vaccination should be provided to reduce CC mortality rates for these young women.

Subclinical Carotid Atherosclerosis Burden in the Japanese: Comparison between Okinawa and Nagano Residents.

AIM: The prevalence of overweight and a change in atherosclerotic lipid profiles may be linked to region-specific differences in atherosclerotic diseases. We evaluated whether the lipid phenotype could be linked to region- and sex-specific differences in the degree of atherosclerosis. METHODS: Non-diabetic subjects included Okinawa (n=1674) and Nagano (n=1392) residents aged 30-75 years who underwent carotid ultrasonography for the measurement of maximum intima-media thickness (max IMT). RESULTS: Average max IMT was higher in Okinawa men and women, and the increase in max IMT with age was enhanced in men. Multiple regression analysis showed that in addition to age and systolic blood pressure, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were IMT determinants only in men for both Okinawa and Nagano. Meanwhile, HDL-cholesterol was a determinant for Okinawa men and women, but not for Nagano men and women. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report to show region- and sex-specific differences in the determinants for max IMT in a Japanese population. The evaluation of the relationship between lipid profile patterns and region- and sex-specific differences in carotid atherosclerosis burden may be required.

An inverse association between magnesium in 24-h urine and cardiovascular risk factors in middle-aged subjects in 50 CARDIAC Study populations.

Serum, plasma and dietary magnesium (Mg) have been reported to be inversely associated with cardiovascular disease risk factors. We examined the associations between the 24-h urinary Mg/creatinine (Cre) ratio and cardiovascular disease risk factors, such as body mass index (BMI), blood pressure (BP), serum total cholesterol (TC) and prevalence of obesity, hypertension and hypercholesterolemia. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted among 4211 participants (49.7% women) aged 48-56 years in 50 population samples from 22 countries in the World Health Organization-coordinated Cardiovascular Diseases and Alimentary Comparison (CARDIAC) Study (1985-1994). In linear regression analyses, Mg/Cre ratio was inversely associated with BMI, systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP) and TC (P for linear trend <0.001 for each). These associations were not markedly altered by adjustment for traditional risk factors, urinary markers or cohort effects. Multivariate-adjusted mean values for the subjects in the highest Mg/Cre ratio quintile were 6.3, 3.4, 5.3 and 4.6% lower than those for the subjects in the lowest quintile for BMI, SBP, DBP and TC (P < 0.001, respectively). The prevalence of obesity, hypertension and hypercholesterolemia was 2.10 (95% confidence interval: 1.50, 2.95), 1.55 (1.25, 1.92) and 2.06 (1.63, 2.62) times higher (P < 0.001, respectively) among the subjects in the lowest Mg/Cre ratio quintile than in the subjects in the highest quintile. These associations were not appreciably altered by adjustment for potential confounding variables. In conclusion, higher 24-h urinary Mg/Cre ratio was associated with lower cardiovascular disease risk factors, including BMI, BP, TC, obesity, hypertension and hypercholesterolemia.

Lifestyle monitoring with the use of an earphone-type thermometer, an ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and a new wristwatch-type pulsimeter with accelerometer.

We investigated the relationship among 24-h blood pressure (BP), pulse rate (PR) and core temperature by using an ambulatory BP monitoring, a new wristwatch-type pulsimeter with accelerometer (WPA) and an ear thermometer simultaneously. Our results suggest that the ear temperature which reflects the core body temperature was lowest at base PR during sleep and 75% of normotensives and 54% of subjects without hypertensive medication had a significant correlation between BP and PR. Diabetic subjects showed a significantly higher PR during sleep than non-diabetic subjects. Three types of equipments, especially a new WPA, are expected to be useful for daily lifestyle monitoring to evaluate risk of complications of hypertension and diabetes.

Attitudes toward cervical cancer screening among women receiving human papillomavirus vaccination in a university-hospital-based community: interim 2-year follow-up results.

AIM: This study investigated the status of cervical cancer screening among women in a university hospital-based community who received catch-up human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations as a basic element of our community-based cervical cancer prevention advocacy. METHODS: Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to 173 women working or studying in the community at their first HPV vaccination in 2010, at the third vaccination, and 2 years later. Their demographics and attitudes toward the Pap test were analyzed. RESULTS: The median age of the participants was 27.5 years and 88.2% were sexually active. Before the first vaccination, 38.5% (57/148) of the screening targets had never had a Pap test. Among the women who completed the third vaccination, Pap test experiences within the recent 2 years increased from 45.3% (63/139) at the first vaccination to 71.2% (99/137) at the third vaccination, and 67.5% (54/80) 2 years later. In 45.3% of the screening targets who had never had a Pap test at the time of their first HPV vaccination, their first Pap test was followed by their vaccination. CONCLUSIONS: Having biennial Pap tests in accordance with the Japanese national cancer screening guideline was shown to be difficult even for the women in the medical community; however, education about the Pap test and the efficacy of HPV vaccination in providing opportunistic screening encouraged them to have their first or suspended Pap test. Our interim data suggest the need for urgently changing the cervical cancer prevention strategy for young adult women who are excluded from the national HPV vaccine program.

Internet usage and knowledge of radiation health effects and preventive behaviours among workers in Fukushima after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident.

BACKGROUND: The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident (FDNPPA) was the world's second largest nuclear power plant accident. At the time that it occurred, internet usage prevalence in Japan was as high as 80%. OBJECTIVES: To compare health knowledge on radiation and preventive behaviour between internet users and non-users among adults employed in industries in Fukushima after the nuclear disaster. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional questionnaire study among adults employed in industries in Fukushima 3-5 months after the FDNPPA. Targets were 1394 regular workers who took part in health seminars provided by the Fukushima Occupational Health Promotion Center. After applying the selection criteria, there were 1119 eligible participants. The questionnaire asked for personal characteristics and main sources of information about the FDNPPA, as well as health knowledge on radiation and preventive behaviours following the nuclear accident. We assessed the contribution of each variable using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Among the eligible respondents, 637 workers (56.9%) were internet users and 482 (43.1%) were non-users. Internet users had more health knowledge than non-users (average 4.6 radiation-related health conditions in internet users vs 3.6 conditions in non-users) and more preventive behaviours (average 2.6 behaviours in internet users vs 1.9 in non-users). According to logistic regression analyses, internet usage was positively associated with greater health knowledge on radiation (OR 1.13; 95% CI 1.08 to 1.20) and more preventive behaviours (OR 1.14; 95% CI 1.07 to 1.23). CONCLUSIONS: Internet usage was significantly and positively associated with greater health knowledge and more preventive behaviours. The internet is a useful method of distributing information to the general public in emergency situations such as a nuclear disaster.

Growing concerns with the flow of misinformation from electronic books.

In 2012, several kinds of electronic books (e-books) became available in Japan. Since several major book retailers launched e-book businesses, it is expected that e-books will become a popular source of information in the country. However, we are concerned that e-books may also be a source of misinformation. In examining 24 available materials published by anti-vaccinists, "atopy businesses", and "wellness maintenance" authors, each was found to contain inaccuracies or misinformation. Thus far, such information is only available in printed books. If these books are scanned and circulated, or published in e-book format, this misinformation may circulate rapidly as e-book devices are becoming popular, and, consequently, harm people's health. We think that it is important for the government to formulate ethical guidelines for the publishing e-books with due consideration to freedom of expression.

General workers living with younger children in Fukushima performed more preventive behavior against radiation during and after the nuclear disaster.

BACKGROUND: During and after the Fukushima nuclear disaster (FND), many parents were concerned about the effects of radiation on the health of their children. PURPOSE: To clarify the factors that influenced general workers living with children and the effect of child age groups in implementing preventive behaviorsagainst radiation following the FND. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive study of preventive behaviors among general workers was carried out 3-5 months after the nuclear disaster. The subjects were 1,394 regular workers, who took part in radiation seminars run by the Fukushima Occupational Health Promotion Center between July and September, 2011. In total, 1,217 responses were submitted, of which 1,110 were eligible for the present study. This anonymous questionnaire survey inquired about the presence and age of children in the household and about radiation preventive behavior implemented after the FND. The contribution of each variable was assessed by logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: General workers in Fukushima who lived with younger children performed more preventive behavior against radiation during and after the FND. In particular, both location-related and daily routines were practiced significantly more frequently (p<0.01) by workers living with a child in the age ranges of 0-6 (8 of 10 items) and 7-12 (5 of 10 items). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to assess the positive association between living with children by age group and increased preventive behavior against radiation implemented by general workers after the FND.

Relationship of ambulatory blood pressure and the heart rate profile with renal function parameters in hypertensive patients with chronic kidney disease.

Strict blood pressure (BP) control is reportedly important for the management of hypertensive patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine whether the variables of ambulatory BP and the heart rate (HR) profile, central hemodynamics, and arterial stiffness were closely related to the renal function parameters (urine albumin excretion rate [UACR] and estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR]) observed in 25 consecutive hospitalized hypertensive patients with CKD. There were significant positive relationships between UACR and 24-hour, daytime, and nighttime ambulatory systolic BP. In addition, there were significant negative relationships between UACR and 24-hour and daytime HR variability. The circulating B-type natriuretic peptide level and hemoglobin A1c were also positively related to UACR. With respect to eGFR, although the 24-hour and nighttime HR variability were positively associated with eGFR, the circulating pentosidine and nighttime HR had a negative relationship with eGFR. On the other hand, central hemodynamics and arterial stiffness did not exhibit any significant association with renal function parameters. These results indicate that ambulatory BP and the HR profile are closely modulated by renal function deterioration. Further studies are needed to investigate the causal relationship between ambulatory BP and the HR profile and renal function parameters in hypertensive patients with CKD.

Combination therapy of angiotensin II receptor blocker and calcium channel blocker exerts pleiotropic therapeutic effects in addition to blood pressure lowering: amlodipine and candesartan trial in Yokohama (ACTY).

Recent guidelines recommend combination antihypertensive therapy to achieve the target blood pressure (BP) and to suppress target organ damage. This study aimed to examine the beneficial effects of combination therapy with candesartan and amlodipine on BP control and markers of target organ function in Japanese essential hypertensive patients (N = 20) who did not achieve the target BP level during the monotherapy period with either candesartan or amlodipine. After the monotherapy period, for patients already being treated with amlodipine, a once-daily 8 mg dose of candesartan was added on during the combination therapy period (angiotensin II receptor blocker [ARB] add-on group, N = 10), and a once-daily 5 mg dose of amlodipine was added on for those already being treated with candesartan (calcium channel blocker [CCB] add-on group, N = 10). Combination therapy with candesartan and amlodipine for 12 weeks significantly decreased clinic and home systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). In addition, the combination therapy was able to significantly reduce urine albumin excretion without decrease in estimated glomerular filtration ratio and resulted in significant improvements in brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity, central SBP, and insulin sensitivity. Furthermore, the CCB add-on group showed a significantly greater decrease in clinic and home DBP than the ARB add-on group. The calcium channel blocker add-on group also exhibited better improvements in vascular functional parameters than the ARB add-on group. These results suggest that combination therapy with candesartan and amlodipine is an efficient therapeutic strategy for hypertension with pleiotropic benefits.

[Evaluation of health promotion programs using health checkup data and medical receipts].

OBJECTIVES: In a research project on the evaluation of health promotion programs using a health dataset including health checkup data and medical receipts, which was supported by a research grant from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the potential preventive factors that influence disease severity and medical expenditure were studied. METHODS: A dataset from a city with a population of 36,544 and a large elderly population (31.1%) was studied using 12 elementary school geographical areas as the basis of classification. A dataset from a company of 4,780 employees was analyzed to determine changes in health checkup data related to metabolic syndrome over 3 years. A simulation model to identify factors that are important for reducing the incidence of complications such as ischemic heart disease and stroke was developed. RESULTS: Geographical analyses showed a negative association between the rate of participation in health checkup and the prevalence of noncommunicable diseases. The percentage of new patients who started pharmaceutical treatment was lower in the health-advice-intervention group (5.2%) than in the nonintervention group (29.6%). A simulation model to identify factors that are important for reducing the incidence of complications was developed using data on health checkup participation, percentage of those who undertook a lifestyle-modification program, and compliance with medical treatment among others. CONCLUSIONS: Various health data including those on health checkup participation, percentage of those who undertook a lifestyle modification program, and compliance under medical treatment over 3 years were helpful in evaluating health promotion programs.

Weight gain and risk of impaired fasting glucose after smoking cessation.

BACKGROUND: Observation of early changes in fasting plasma glucose level induced by post-smoking cessation weight gain is useful in predicting the risks of diabetes mellitus (DM) and impaired fasting glucose (IFG). We investigated the effect of post-smoking cessation weight gain on early changes in the risk of a high fasting plasma glucose (IFG) level (≥100 mg/dL). METHODS: In 946 subjects who underwent repeated health examinations after smoking cessation, changes in body mass index (BMI) and the odds ratio (OR) for IFG risk (adjusted for sex, age, BMI, fasting plasma glucose at year 1, and alcohol consumption) were calculated every year for 3 years after smoking cessation. RESULTS: After smoking cessation, the rate of BMI increase significantly increased in quitters: 2.36% at year 2 (never smokers: 0.22%, current smokers: 0.39%) and 0.46% at year 3 (never smokers: 0.14%, current smokers: 0.32%). However, it decreased by 0.15% at year 4 (never smokers: 0.12%, current smokers: 0.26%). The ORs for quitters did not significantly increase at any time during the follow-up period. However, among quitters who had smoked at least 20 cigarettes per day, it was significantly higher (OR 1.51, 95% confidence interval 1.1-2.01 at year 1 and 1.71, 1.23-2.38 at year 2). CONCLUSIONS: The time course of the risk of IFG after smoking cessation was similar to that for the rate of BMI increase. In contrast to the findings of previous reports, the increase in IFG risk after smoking cessation was brief and disappeared in the absence of a significant increase in BMI.

Heterogeneity of the efficacy of the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine caused by various underlying conditions of chronic pulmonary disease in older patients: prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the ideal conditions for use of the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23) in older outpatients with chronic pulmonary diseases. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: 1378 outpatients with chronic pulmonary diseases ≥ 60 years of age. INTERVENTION: Participants were educated about PPV23, and those who responded affirmatively were vaccinated between August and November 2002. The participants who chose no intervention served as controls. The prevaccine period was defined as August 2001 to August 2002. Participants were followed for 2 years from December 2002 or until death. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Events of interest included the first episode of bacterial (including pneumococcal) pulmonary infection (primary endpoint) and death of any cause (secondary endpoint). RESULTS: Frequent episodes of pulmonary infection during the prevaccine period significantly decreased event-free survival during the 2-year observation period (p<0.001). Chronic respiratory failure was associated with a decreased event-free survival only when the pulmonary infection episode did not occur in the prevaccine period (p<0.001). No significant differences in event-free survival were observed between the vaccinated and unvaccinated group during analysis of the entire cohort. In the Cox proportional hazards regression model, event-free survival decreased significantly when pulmonary infection occurred in the prevaccine period. In the subgroup analysis, the first episode of bacterial pulmonary infection (but not death of any cause) was reduced significantly by PPV23 only in patients with chronic respiratory failure who had no episodes of pulmonary infection during the prevaccine period (p=0.019). CONCLUSION: The efficacy of PPV23 against pulmonary infection and death of any cause might be unachievable if pulmonary infection occurs during the prevaccine period. PPV23 needs to be given to older patients with chronic pulmonary disease at an earlier time in which infectious complications in the lung have not yet occurred.

Effect of salt reduction intervention program using an electronic salt sensor and cellular phone on blood pressure among hypertensive workers.

We investigated the effectiveness of a workplace intervention program that utilized self-monitoring of daily salt excretion by an electronic salt sensor and sent personalized e-mail advice via cellular phone. Forty-one hypertensive male workers were assigned to intervention and control groups, then counseled together. Intervention group members were asked to measure daily salt excretion and received e-mail advice. After 4 weeks, a greater decrease of blood pressure (BP) was observed in the intervention group, with significant reductions to daily salt excretion and home BP. The new intervention program is considered useful for BP control among hypertensive workers.

Effects of multiple factorial intervention on ambulatory BP profile and renal function in hypertensive type 2 diabetic patients with overt nephropathy - a pilot study.

Accumulating evidence has shown that diabetic patients are increasing in number, and renal and cardiovascular complications are the most common cause of death in diabetic patients. Thus, it would be of considerable value to identify the mechanisms involved in the progression of renal impairment and cardiovascular injury associated with diabetes. Recent evidence also indicated that multifactorial intervention is able to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and death among patients with diabetes and microalbuninuria. In this pilot study, we examined the effects of intensified multifactorial intervention, with tight glucose regulation and the use of valsartan and fluvastatin on ambulatory blood pressure (BP) profile, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and urinary albumin to creatinine ratio (UACR), in 20 hypertensive patients (16 male and 4 female) with type 2 diabetes mellitus and overt nephropathy. After 12 months of intensified treatment, office BP, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) were significantly decreased compared to baseline (systolic blood pressure (SBP), 130 ± 2 vs. 150 ± 1 mmHg; diastolic blood pressure (DBP), 76 ± 1 vs. 86 ± 1 mmHg; FPG, 117 ± 5 vs. 153 ± 7 mg/dl; LDLC, 116 ± 8 vs. 162 ± 5 mg/dl, P < 0.0001). Also, compared to the baseline values, the daytime and nighttime ambulatory BP and short-term BP variability were significantly decreased after 12 months. Furthermore, while eGFR was not altered (44.3 ± 5.1 vs. 44.3 ± 6.5 ml/min/1.73 m(2), not significant (NS)), UACR showed a significant reduction after 12 months of intensified treatment (1228 ± 355 vs. 2340 ± 381 mg/g-cr, P < 0.05). These results suggest that the intensified multifactorial intervention is able to improve ambulatory BP profile, preserve renal function, and reduce urinary albumin excretion in type 2 diabetic hypertensive patients with overt nephropathy.

Lifestyle modification in metabolic syndrome and associated changes in plasma amino acid profiles.

BACKGROUND: Although lifestyle modification is the key treatment of metabolic syndrome (MetS), clinical data on the dynamical relationship between metabolic state and MetS has been limited. This study investigated the mutual correlations between demographic and biochemical variables, and the metabolic state based on the plasma amino acid (AA) concentrations, during a lifestyle modification for MetS. METHODS AND RESULTS: Japanese subjects, consisting of 54 patients with MetS [MetS(+)] and 35 persons without MetS [MetS(-)] were included in the study. Before a lifestyle modification program, the levels of glutamate metabolism-related AA (Glu-mAA), aromatic AA metabolism-related AA (Aromatic-mAA) and alanine metabolism-related AA (Ala-mAA) were significantly higher, while those of glycine-serine-threonine metabolism-related AA (Gly-Ser-Thr-mAA) were significantly lower compared to those in MetS(-). After a lifestyle modification, significant reductions (P<0.05) in the BMI (-1.4 kg/m(2)), mean blood pressure (-7.9 mmHg), hemoglobin A(1c) (-0.4%), and triglycerides (-30.6 mg/dl) were observed, and significant differences in the plasma AA levels between MetS(+) and MetS(-) were resolved. In addition, the diagnostic items of MetS were positively correlated with the levels of Glu-mAA, Ala-mAA, branched chain AA (BCAA)-mAA, Aromatic-mAA, and negatively correlated with the levels of Gly-Ser-Thr-mAA. CONCLUSIONS: As MetS subsided, the abnormality of mean plasma AA levels of the MetS(+) group returned to similar values as those in the MetS(-) group, suggesting a novel viewpoint regarding the metabolic mechanism of lifestyle modification.