Longevity-associated NADH dehydrogenase subunit-2 237 Leu/Met polymorphism modulates the effects of daily alcohol drinking on yearly changes in serum total and LDL cholesterol in Japanese men.

Reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) dehydrogenase subunit 2 237 leucine/methionine (ND2-237 Leu/Met) polymorphism, is reportedly associated with longevity in the Japanese population. The ND2-237Met genotype may exert resistance to atherogenic diseases, such as myocardial infarction or cerebrovascular disorders. To investigate whether ND2-237 Leu/Met polymorphism is associated with yearly changes in serum lipid levels, we conducted a longitudinal study of 107 healthy Japanese male subjects. Analysis of covariance revealed that the interaction between the ND2-237 Leu/Met genotypes and habitual drinking was significantly associated with yearly changes in serum total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) levels (p=0.036 and p=0.006, respectively). In multiple regression analysis, daily drinking was significantly and positively associated with yearly changes in serum LDLC levels in men with ND2-237Met (p=0.026). After adjusting for covariates, yearly changes in serum LDLC levels were significantly lower in non-daily drinkers with ND2-237Met than in those with ND2-237Leu (p=0.047). These results suggest that ND2-237Met has a beneficial impact on yearly changes in serum LDLC in non-daily drinkers but not in daily drinkers.

Longevity-associated NADH dehydrogenase subunit-2 polymorphism and serum electrolyte levels in middle-aged obese Japanese men.

Mitochondrial DNA 5178 cytosine/adenine polymorphism, which is also called NADH dehydrogenase subunit-2 237 leucine/methionine (ND2-237 Leu/Met) polymorphism is associated with Japanese longevity. This polymorphism is widely associated with blood pressure, serum lipid levels, hematological parameters, intraocular pressure, and serum protein fraction levels. However, there have been no reports on the association between ND2-237 Leu/Met polymorphism and serum electrolyte levels. To investigate this relationship, we performed an association study in 321 healthy middle-aged Japanese men. Crude data showed that serum sodium levels and serum chloride levels were significantly lower in men with ND2-237 Met than in those with ND2-237 Leu (P = 0.021 and 0.003, respectively). Cigarette consumption and body mass index were significantly and positively associated with serum chloride levels (P = 0.002 and 0.008, respectively) and hemoglobin levels were significantly and negatively associated with them (P = 0.007) in ND2-237 Leu genotypic men. In men with ND2-237 Met, only hemoglobin levels were significantly and negatively associated with serum chloride levels (P = 0.025). After adjusting for covariates, only in male obese (body mass index> or =25) subjects, serum sodium and chloride levels remained significantly lower, and serum calcium levels appeared to be significantly higher in ND2-237 Met than in ND2-237 Leu (P = 0.013, <0.001, and 0.046, respectively). Longevity-associated NADH dehydrogenase subunit-2 polymorphism may influence serum electrolyte levels in middle-aged obese Japanese men.

Longevity-associated mitochondrial DNA 5178 C/A polymorphism is associated with fasting plasma glucose levels and glucose tolerance in Japanese men.

Mitochondrial DNA 5178 cytosine/adenine (Mt5178 C/A) polymorphism is reportedly associated with longevity in the Japanese population, and the Mt5178A genotype may resist the onset of type 2 diabetes. To investigate whether Mt5178 C/A polymorphism is associated with glucose tolerance, we conducted a cross-sectional study using the 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in which non-diabetic Japanese male subjects were classified into three subgroups by body mass index (BMI): BMI<22 (n=91); 22< or =BMI<25 (n=138); and BMI> or =25 (n=67). The frequency of Mt5178A was significantly lower among 'BMI<22' subjects exhibiting impaired fasting glucose and impaired glucose tolerance than among those with normal glucose tolerance. In the 'BMI<22' group, fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels and plasma glucose levels at 60 and 120 min after glucose load (OGTT-1h and OGTT-2h, respectively) were significantly lower in the Mt5178A genotype than in the Mt5178C genotype. After adjusting for age, BMI, habitual smoking, habitual drinking and family history of diabetes, FPG levels and OGTT-2h levels were still significantly lower in the Mt5178A genotype than in the Mt5178C genotype. However, after adjusting for covariates, in both the '22< or =BMI<25' and 'BMI> or =25' groups, FPG levels were significantly higher in the Mt5178A genotype than in the Mt5178C genotype. Differences in the effect of alcohol consumption on FPG levels and glucose tolerance between the Mt5178 C/A genotypes were observed. The present results suggest that Mt5178 C/A polymorphism may be associated with FPG levels and glucose tolerance in middle-aged Japanese men.

Interaction between longevity-associated mitochondrial DNA 5178 C/A polymorphism and cigarette smoking on hematological parameters in Japanese men.

Mitochondrial DNA 5178 C/A (mt5178 C/A), namely NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 237 Leu/Met, polymorphism is as reported in literature associated with longevity and susceptibility to ischemic heart disease or cerebrovascular disorders in the Japanese population. Previous reports suggested that mt5178A genotype exerts antiatherogenic effects. The aim of this study was to investigate whether mt5178 C/A polymorphism is associated with hematological parameters, such as thrombogenic risk factors for myocardial infarction and stroke, in 321 healthy Japanese men. No significant differences were observed between mt5178 C/A genotypes, but in subjects with body mass index (BMI) of < or = 23, this polymorphism influenced the effects of habitual smoking on hematological parameters. Red blood cell (RBC) counts were significantly lower and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) levels were significantly higher in smokers with mt5178A than nonsmokers with mt5178A. Platelet counts were significantly higher in smokers with mt5178C than nonsmokers with mt5178C. Cigarette consumption was strongly associated with RBC counts, mean corpuscular volume levels, and MCH levels for men with mt5178A, and was associated with platelet counts for those with mt5178C. Moreover, BMI was significantly positively associated with RBC counts and platelet counts only in men with mt5178A, age was significantly negatively associated with RBC counts only in men with mt5178C. These data suggest that mt5178 C/A polymorphism may influence the effects of cigarette smoking on hematological parameters in healthy BMI < or = 23 Japanese men.

Longevity-associated mitochondrial DNA 5178 A/C polymorphism is associated with intraocular pressure in Japanese men.

BACKGROUND: Mitochondrial DNA 5178 adenine/cytosine (mt5178 A/C) polymorphism has been reported to be associated with longevity in Japanese individuals, with experimental findings concluding that mt5178 A is an anti-atherogenic genotype. The aim of this study was to determine whether mt5178 A/C polymorphism influences intraocular pressure (IOP), and its relationship with the development of arteriosclerosis. METHODS: Four hundred and forty-nine male volunteers who had visited a general hospital for medical check-up between August 1999 and August 2000 were enrolled. Of these, 386 Japanese men who had not undergone any medical treatment for hypertension, ocular hypertension or glaucoma were selected as subjects of this study. After these subjects were genotyped, a cross-sectional study regarding the relationship between genotype and IOP was conducted. RESULTS: Mean IOP was significantly higher in men with mt5178 C (13.3 mmHg) than in those with mt5178 A (12.7 mmHg) (P = 0.037). This significant difference in mean IOP between the two genotypes remained evident after adjusting for age, body mass index, blood pressure, habitual smoking and habitual drinking. Interactions between mt5178 A/C polymorphism and habitual smoking or daily alcohol consumption with regard to IOP were observed. According to multiple regression analysis, habitual smoking was significantly associated with IOP in men with mt5178 A (P for trend = 0.020), while daily alcohol consumption was significantly associated with IOP in those with mt5178 C (P for trend = 0.021). CONCLUSION: Longevity-associated mitochondrial DNA 5178 A/C polymorphism may be associated with IOP in Japanese men.