Hypercholesterolemia accelerates bone loss in postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVES: To clarify the effect of lipid profiles on postmenopausal bone loss using a longitudinal method and to determine whether cytokines are involved in bone loss. METHODS: The subjects were Japanese residents participating in the Iwaki Health Promotion Projects. Women with one or more of the following factors were excluded: a history of surgical menopause, current or past users of bisphosphonates or current user of other drugs known to influence bone and lipid metabolism, and current medication for diabetes or hypertension. Consequently, 99 postmenopausal women (61.2 ± 7.7 years old) and 85 premenopausal women (41.2 ± 8.6 years old) were selected for this study. The osteo-sono-assessment index (OSI) of the left calcaneal bone was obtained twice at 1-year intervals and the annual percentage change in OSI was calculated. Serum total cholesterol, high and low density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, homocysteine and cytokines such as adipocytokines, interleukins and tumor necrosis factor-α were measured. Postmenopausal women were grouped into three groups according to their basal cholesterol level, and the relationship between basal cholesterol level and annual change in OSI was studied. RESULTS: The annual percentage change in OSI in postmenopausal women with a serum total cholesterol level ≥240 mg/dl was significantly higher compared to those with a normal total cholesterol level, suggesting that hypercholesterolemia accelerates postmenopausal bone loss. No significant differences were seen in any of the cytokines that presumably cause bone resorption. CONCLUSION: These results showed that hypercholesterolemia has an inverse effect on bone loss independent of cytokines presumed to mediate bone loss.

Knee osteoarthritis, knee joint pain and aging in relation to increasing serum hyaluronan level in the Japanese population.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate relationship between serum hyaluronan (HA) level and the presence and severity of radiographic knee osteoarthritis (OA) as well as degree of knee pain in Japanese population. DESIGN: A total of 616 volunteers participated in this study. Based on the Kellgren-Lawrence (K-L) grade, participants were radiographically classified into three groups: Normal (K-L grade 0 or 1), Moderate (grade 2) and Severe (grade 3 or 4). The degree of knee pain was quantified by visual analogue scale (VAS) and Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) Pain. Serum HA levels were compared among the Normal, Moderate and Severe groups, and the relationship between serum HA level and the severity of knee OA was analyzed after age, sex and body mass index (BMI) were adjusted. In addition, the correlation between serum HA level and the degree of knee pain was analyzed in each group. RESULTS: Regarding relationship between serum HA level and the severity of radiographic knee OA, serum HA levels of the Moderate and Severe groups were significantly higher than in the Normal group (P<0.001). Furthermore, serum HA level correlated with the severity of radiographic knee OA (r=0.289, P<0.001) after adjusting for age, sex and BMI. Serum HA level correlated with VAS of knee pain and/or KOOS Pain in the Normal and Moderate groups. CONCLUSION: Serum HA level has the potential to be useful for the diagnosis of the presence and severity of knee OA.

Properties of various carbon nanomaterial surfaces in bilirubin adsorption.

Properties of various carbon nanomaterials in bilirubin adsorption have been studied to develop a new adsorbent in the plasma apheresis. Carbon nanomaterials we used as adsorbents are single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), and single-walled carbon nanohorns (SWNHs). The adsorbent was mixed with a bilirubin solution, and the adsorption capacity was obtained by measuring the concentrations of residual bilirubin in the solution after the adsorption process. We found that the bundled MWCNTs exhibit the largest capacity in the saturated amount of adsorbed bilirubin among the examined materials, and that the oxidized SWNHs exhibit the fastest rate in the early stage of the adsorption. We also found that the amount of adsorbed bilirubin increases with an increase in the dispersibility of the adsorbent.

Fabrication of carbon nanotube sheets and their bilirubin adsorption capacity.

Bilirubin adsorption on carbon nanotube surfaces has been studied to develop a new adsorbent in the plasma apheresis. Powder-like carbon nanotubes were first examined under various adsorption conditions such as temperatures and initial concentrations of bilirubin solutions. The adsorption capacity was measured from the residual concentrations of bilirubin in the solution after the adsorption process using a visible absorption spectroscopy. We found that multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) exhibit greater adsorption capacity for bilirubin molecules than that of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). To guarantee the safety of the adsorbents, we fabricated carbon nanotube sheets in which leakage of CNTs to the plasma is suppressed. Since SWCNTs are more suitable for robust sheets, a complex sheet consisting of SWCNTs as the scaffolds and MWCNTs as the efficient adsorbents. CNT/polyaniline complex sheets were also fabricated. Bilirubin adsorption capacity of CNTs has been found to be much larger than that of the conventional materials because of their large surface areas and large adsorption capability for polycyclic compound molecules due to their surface structure similar to graphite.

The oro-ileal transit of cellulose.

The effects of cellulose and the interindividual variations on the transit time in the small intestine remain unclear, but no previous study has to date taken these factors into sufficient consideration. We assessed the oro-ileal transit time and the recovery percentage of cellulose in the terminal ileum looking at interindividual variations. Seven healthy males received 100 mL of a dietary fiber-free basal diet with 5 g cellulose and 5 g of polyethylene glycol 4000. The ileal contents were aspirated every 30 min via an experimental tube placed in the terminal ileum to assess the oro-ileal transit time and the recovery percentage of cellulose. The mean percentage (with standard deviation) of the amounts of cellulose collected in the terminal ileum was 98.4%+/- 16.5% (ranging from 67.4% to 114.5%) with a coefficient variation of 16.8%. The average times (in hours) taken for 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80% of cellulose to reach the terminal ileum were 5.5 +/- 1.1, 6.7 +/- 0.7, 8.5 +/- 1.3, and 8.8 +/- 1.2, respectively, with large interindividual variations. In conclusion, the averaged recovery percentage of cellulose in the terminal ileum was approximately 100%, in accordance with the present generally accepted definition of dietary fiber. However, there were large interindividual variations in the oro-ileal transit time and the percentage of cellulose recovered.

Effects of long-term training on neutrophil function in male university judoists.

OBJECTIVES: To clarify the effects of high-intensity and high-frequency long-term/chronic training on neutrophil function and serum levels of myogenic enzymes in male university judoists. METHODS: The subjects were 24 male judoists who had stopped judo training for 6 months and then restarted their training. The following parameters were examined before and after a 2 h unified exercise loading (UEL) at the beginning of the restarted quotidian training (pre-training) and at 2 months, 4 months and 6 months thereafter: myogenic enzymes, neutrophil and leucocyte counts, and neutrophil phagocytic activity (PA) and oxidative burst activity as a measure of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production capability. RESULTS: Myogenic enzymes that were measured after UEL at all four points significantly increased except for creatine kinase at the 2-month point (p<0.01 in each) and neutrophil counts significantly increased after UEL at the pre-training, 2-month and 4-month points (p<0.01 in each), but these changes became smaller from the 2-month point. PA significantly decreased after UEL at the pre-training and 2-month points (p<0.01 in each), but no change was seen at the 4-month and 6-month points. On the other hand, no change in ROS production per cell after UEL was seen at the pre-training point, but it significantly increased after UEL at the 2-month, 4-month and 6-month points (p<0.01 in each). CONCLUSION: The changing rate of the levels of UEL-mediated myogenic enzymes, neutrophil mobilisation and neutrophil function was seen to decrease at the 2-month, 4-month and 6-month assessments, compared with the pre-training point: these may comprise at least some of the long-term training effects.

Association of novel promoter single nucleotide polymorphisms in vasopressin V1a receptor gene with essential hypertension in nonobese Japanese.

We studied the association between four novel single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the promoter region of V1aR gene and essential hypertension in 620 Japanese subjects (365 hypertensives and 255 healthy). A significant association was found between one of the genotypes and alleles at SNP -6951 and hypertension in a subsample of nonobese individuals. This association demonstrated an independent risk for nonobese hypertension.

Pattern of dietary fiber intake among the Japanese general population.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the dietary fiber (DF) intake pattern among the Japanese general population. DESIGN: We performed a dietary survey among the general population in northern Japan to evaluate the intake patterns. DF intake was calculated by substituting the DF content of each food in the Dietary Fiber Table for the intake of each food from this dietary survey. SUBJECTS: Five hundred and seventy-seven subjects participated in the study, 198 men and 379 women. RESULTS: In subjects with higher DF intakes the origins of the DF that were from all food groups, but with the notable exception of rice. The contribution of the seaweed group was of particular interest. From multiple regression analysis, as for food group, seaweeds showed the highest positive correlation with DF intake in both genders, followed by vegetables, pulses, fruits. On the other hand, rice showed the negative correlation with DF intake in both genders. As for life factor, body mass index showed the negative correlation with DF intake in women. CONCLUSION: Seaweed, a typical Japanese food, was most related to the increase in DF intake for the Japanese general population, whereas rice, the Japanese staple, had a small influence on decreased DF intake.

Effects of rugby sevens matches on human neutrophil-related non-specific immunity.

AIMS: To evaluate the influences of the accumulative effect of two consecutive rugby sevens matches (Sevens) on aspects of human neutrophil-related non-specific immunity. METHODS: In seven players participating in the Japan Sevens, neutrophil reactive oxygen species (ROS) production capability and phagocytic activity were measured using flow cytometry, and serum opsonic activity (SOA) was assessed by measuring neutrophil ROS using the peak height of lucigenin-dependent chemiluminescence before and after two consecutive matches. RESULTS: ROS showed no change immediately after the first match, and had significantly (P<0.05) increased 4 h later, but showed a decrease after the second match. Phagocytic activity showed no change immediately after the first match, but had significantly (P<0.01) decreased 4 h later, and showed a further decrease after the second match, although it was not significant. SOA significantly (P<0.01) increased after the first match, and still maintained its high 4 h later, but decreased after the second match. ROS production capability, phagocytic activity and SOA significantly (P<0.01) decreased after the second match. CONCLUSIONS: When rugby players play two consecutive Sevens matches, the exercise loading is thought to be hard, similar to that experienced during a marathon race and intensive or long training in a training camp, although the expected changes were not seen after the first match. Differences between after the first and the second matches may be due to the "cumulative effect".

Reversible splenial lesion with restricted diffusion in a wide spectrum of diseases and conditions.

OBJECTIVE: Reversible lesion in the central area of the splenium of the corpus callosum (SCC) is a unique phenomenon occurring particularly in patients with encephalitis or encephalopathy and in patients receiving antiepileptic drugs (AED). We report MR imaging findings, clinical courses, and outcomes in eight patients with various diseases and conditions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight patients with a reversible SCC lesion with transiently restricted diffusion were reviewed retrospectively. Diseases and conditions that were associated with a reversible lesion included epilepsy receiving AED (n=1), seizure from eclampsia receiving AED (n=1), mild infectious encephalitis (n=2), hypernatremia resulting in osmotic myelinolysis (n=1), and neoplasm (n=3) such as acute lymphocytic leukemia, spinal meningeal melanocytoma, and esophageal cancer. We evaluated MR imaging findings and clinical findings. RESULTS: Seven patients had isolated SCC lesions; one patient with osmotic myelinolysis showed additional parenchymal lesions. The reversible SCC lesion shape was oval (n=6) or extended (n=2). The mean apparent diffusion coefficient value of the splenial lesion was 0.40+/-0.16 x 10-3 mm2/s, ranging from 0.22 to 0.64 x 10-3 mm2/s. In a patient with osmotic myelinolysis, additional white matter lesions, shown as restricted diffusion, were revealed as not reversible on follow-up MR imaging. Neurological courses and outcomes were good in seven patients with isolated SCC lesions, but poor in one with osmotic myelinolysis. CONCLUSION: Reversible SCC lesion with restricted diffusion is apparent in a wide spectrum of diseases and conditions. Neurological courses and outcomes are good, particularly in patients with isolated SCC lesions. Knowledge of MR imaging findings and the associated spectrum of diseases and conditions might prevent unnecessary invasive examinations and treatments.

Position related analysis of the appearance of and relationship between post-match physical and mental fatigue in university rugby football players.

OBJECTIVE: The relationship between physical and mental fatigue in rugby players after a match was examined, taking into account the position played. METHODS: The Profile of Mood State (POMS) test, blood biochemical parameters, and serum opsonic activity were measured for 37 university rugby football players before and after a match. RESULTS: There were no differences in parameter changes except for blood urea nitrogen (a marker for protein catabolism) between the forwards and the backs. Regarding correlation between physical and mental fatigue, in forwards, changes in POMS scores showed a positive correlation with changes in the levels of enzymes of skeletal muscle origin, such as glutamate oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and free fatty acid (FFA) level and white blood cell count (for example, in the Total Mood Disturbance (TMD) score, Spearman's correlation coefficient was 0.417 and p<0.05 with GOT, 0.413 and p<0.05 with LDH, 0.462 and p<0.05 with FFA, and 0.442 and p<0.05 with white blood cell count). In backs, changes in the POMS scores showed a positive correlation with changes in the levels of lipid related parameters such as FFA and total cholesterol (for example, as regards the TMD score, Spearman's correlation coefficient was 0.481 and p<0.05 with FFA, and 0.550 and p<0.05 with total cholesterol), and showed a negative correlation with change in blood glucose level (TMD score, -0.517 and p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The different exercise loading of the position played during a rugby match may cause differences in the relationship between physical and mental fatigue.

Effect of incorporating low intensity exercise into the recovery period after a rugby match.

BACKGROUND: The psychological and physiological condition of athletes affect both their performance in competitions and their health. Rugby is an intense sport which appears to impose psychological and physiological stress on players. However, there have been few studies of the most appropriate resting techniques to deliver effective recovery from a match. OBJECTIVES: To compare the difference in recovery after a match using resting techniques with or without exercise. METHODS: Fifteen Japanese college rugby football players were studied. Seven performed only normal daily activities and eight performed additional low intensity exercise during the post-match rest period. Players were examined just before and immediately after the match and one and two days after the match. Blood biochemistry and two neutrophil functions, phagocytic activity and oxidative burst, were measured to assess physiological condition, and the profile of mood states (POMS) scores were examined to evaluate psychological condition. RESULTS: Immediately after the match, muscle damage, decreases in neutrophil functions, and mental fatigue were observed in both groups. Muscle damage and neutrophil functions recovered with time almost equally in the two groups, but the POMS scores were significantly decreased only in subjects in the low intensity exercise group. CONCLUSIONS: Rugby matches impose both physiological and psychological stress on players. The addition of low intensity exercise to the rest period did not adversely affect physiological recovery and had a significantly beneficial effect on psychological recovery by enhancing relaxation.

Effects of exercise on the physical condition of college rugby players during summer training camp.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effects of exercise training on physical condition in 25 college rugby players during a summer training camp, and to compare these variables by the different players' positions. METHODS: Changes in body composition parameters and blood biochemistry were examined before and after a summer training camp. RESULTS: Body weight and percentage body fat did not change significantly during the camp. There were significant decreases in levels of serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, phosphate, uric acid, and immunoglobulin G and M. In contrast, there were significant increases in levels of serum potassium, markers of renal, hepatic, and muscular damage (BUN, GOT, GPT, LDH, CK), and complement C4. Comparison of the changes in biochemical parameters between rugby players playing in different positions showed a significant increase in serum albumin level in the forwards, and significant decreases in serum triglyceride and sodium levels in the backs. The magnitude of change in serum LDH during the camp was significantly greater (p<0.05) for the forwards than for the backs. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that, in rugby players attending a 20 day camp, exercise training resulted in muscular damage, loss of electrolytes due to sweating, and changes in immune function. Backs exhibited a higher rate of fat metabolism and loss of electrolytes than forwards, possibly because they did more running during the camp. In contrast, forwards experienced more physical contact, performed more physically strenuous exercise, and exhibited higher levels of muscular damage and tissue protein degradation.

Adverse effects of energy restriction on changes in immunoglobulins and complements during weight reduction in judoists.

AIM: A preliminary study to investigate the combined effects of dietary restriction and weight reduction through exercise on markers of immune function in college judoists before and after a single competition. METHODS: Forty-nine judoists participated in the study. Thirty-eight athletes combined exercise and dietary restriction (WR group), and 11 athletes did not require dietary restriction (EX group). Changes in anthropometric parameters, energy intake, concentrations of serum immunoglobulins and complements, and white blood cell counts were assessed at 4 time points: 20 days (pre-values), 4 days and 1 day before the competition, and 7 days after the competition. RESULTS: Compared with pre-values, the WR group exhibited significant decreases in body weight (-2.8 kg at 1 day before) and fat free mass (-1.7 kg at 1 day before); there were no changes in these variables in the EX group. The WR group exhibited significant decreases in IgG, IgM and C3 at 7 days after the competition (all p<0.01). In the EX group, significant decreases in IgM and C3 (both p<0.05) were observed at 7 days after the competition, though to a lesser degree than in the WR group. CONCLUSIONS: Energy restriction seemed to exacerbate alterations in immune markers such as immunoglobulin and complement induced by vigorous exercise at 7 days after a competition. Although the changed values were still within normal limits, we hypothesize that the potential cumulative effect of these changes over many competitions in 1 year might well induce abnormal levels with a possibly harmful clinical effect on judoists.

Explanations for the smoking paradox in Japan.

The prevalence of cigarette smoking among Japanese men has been consistently high compared with Western males over the past 30 years. However, during the same period, the incidence of and mortality rates for lung cancer have consistently been lower in Japan than in Western countries ('Japanese smoking paradox'). The odds ratio/relative risk of cigarette smoking for lung cancer mortality/incidence relative to the same number of cigarettes smoked per capita in Japan, were apparently lower than those in Western countries. This must be the cause driving the 'Japanese smoking paradox'. Furthermore, low carcinogenic ingredients in Japanese cigarettes and a congenitally-related resistance to smoking-related lung carcinogenesis emerged as the main factors which have brought the 'Japanese smoking paradox'.

Helicobacter pylori water soluble surface proteins prime human neutrophils for enhanced production of reactive oxygen species and stimulate chemokine production.

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: Chronic gastritis induced by Helicobacter pylori is characterised by considerable neutrophil infiltration into the gastric mucosa without mucosal invasion of bacteria. Bacteria have different characteristics with respect to their ability to stimulate human neutrophils to produce reactive oxygen species and chemokines. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of H pylori water extracts on the oxidative burst and chemokine production of human neutrophils. METHODS: Helicobacter pylori cells were extracted by harvesting into distilled water and centrifugation. Neutrophils were incubated with H pylori water extracts and the production of reactive oxygen species was measured using luminol dependent chemiluminescence (LmCL). In addition, the concentrations of chemokines (interleukin 8 (IL-8), macrophage inflammatory protein 1-alpha (MIP1-alpha), and MIP1-beta) were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Neutrophils were also stimulated by opsonised zymosan (OZ) after preincubation with H pylori water extracts. RESULTS: Helicobacter pylori water extracts alone induced only a weak oxidative burst but preincubation of neutrophils with water extracts dose dependently enhanced the LmCL response stimulated by OZ. Helicobacter pylori water extracts also stimulated neutrophil IL-8 production, although MIP-1beta production was only stimulated weakly, and MIP-1alpha was not stimulated at all. CONCLUSIONS: Helicobacter pylori products in water extracts may have a role in the activation and migration of neutrophils, which results in enhanced oxidative damage to gastric mucosa. These findings may explain the pathology of H pylori induced gastritis, in which there is little invasion of bacteria into the gastric mucosa.

Development of predictive equations for body density of sumo wrestlers using B-mode ultrasound for the determination of subcutaneous fat thickness.

OBJECTIVE: To develop an equation for predicting the body density of sumo wrestlers. METHODS: The following were measured: subcutaneous fat thickness measured at nine sites using B-mode ultrasound equipment; circumference at seven sites; hand to leg bioelectrical impedance. The subjects consisted of 24 college sumo wrestlers (mean age 19.7 years, mean body weight 111.2 kg) and 24 matched obese controls (mean age 19.1 years and mean body weight 111.2 kg). In addition, body density was measured by the underwater weighing method, and the percentage of fat was calculated from the measured body density. RESULTS: Linear regression analysis was used to estimate the relation between body density and other variables, and a predictive equation for the body density was derived: y = 1.088-0.00036 x (fat thickness at nine sites) (r(2) = 0.90) for the sumo wrestler group and y = 1.083-0.00033 x (fat thickness at nine sites) (r(2) = 0.91) for the control group. A multiple regression analysis was performed using the body density as the objective variable, and other measured items as the explanatory variables. This was used to derive a predictive equation: y = 1.121-0.00038 x (fat thickness of abdomen)-0.00043 x (circumference of hips)-0.00142 x (fat thickness of triceps) (r(2) = 0.94) for the sumo wrestler group, and y = 1.076-0.00070 x (fat thickness of abdomen)-0.00140 x (fat thickness of tibialis) (r(2) = 0.91) for the control group. The difference between the two equations was due to the difference in body fat distribution. Neither of these predictive equations is applicable to non-overweight non-athletes. CONCLUSION: This is the first predictive equation developed for the body density of sumo wrestlers.

Current topics on immunoadsorption therapy.

Immunoadsorption therapy has become popular for the treatment of various autoimmune diseases as the number of clinically available immunoadsorption columns increases. Immunoadsorption columns for plasma perfusion or direct hemoperfusion available for clinical use such as the Immusorba TR and PH, Selesorb, Prosorba, Immunosorba, Ig-Therasorb, and Medisorba MG are reviewed in the first part of this article. The peptide columns which immobilize peptides as the ligands are described in the second half. The peptide column has the potential to deliver specific adsorbents if a peptide is appropriately designed to remove the pathogenic substances specifically responsible for the given disease.