Eiichi Yoshimura

Lifestyle Intervention Involving Calorie Restriction with or without Aerobic Exercise Training Improves Liver Fat in Adults with Visceral Adiposity

Objective. To evaluate the effect of calorie restriction-induced weight loss with or without aerobic exercise on liver fat. Methods. Thirty-three adults with visceral adiposity were divided into calorie restriction (CR; n = 18) or CR and aerobic exercise (CR + Ex; n = 15) groups. Target energy intake was 25 kcal/kg of ideal body weight. The CR + Ex group had a targeted exercise time of 300 min/wk or more at lactate threshold intensity for 12 weeks. Results. Reductions in body weight (CR, −5.3 ± 0.8 kg; CR + Ex, −5.1 ± 0.7 kg), fat mass (CR, −4.9 ± 0.9 kg; CR + Ex, −4.4 ± 0.6 kg), and visceral fat (CR, −24 ± 5 cm2; CR + Ex, −37 ± 5 cm2) were not statistically different between groups. Liver fat decreased significantly in both groups, with no difference between groups. Change in maximal oxygen uptake was significantly greater in the CR + Ex group than in the CR group (CR, −0.7 ± 0.7 mL/kg/min; CR + Ex, 2.9 ± 1.0 mL/kg/min). Conclusion. Both CR and CR + Ex resulted in an improved reduction in liver fat; however, there was no additive effect of exercise training.

Effects of rapid weight loss and regain on body composition and energy expenditure

Weight-classified athletes need an energy intake plan to accomplish target weight reduction. They have to consider body composition and energy metabolism during rapid weight loss followed by rapid weight regain to achieve their energy intake plan. We investigated the effects of rapid weight loss, followed by weight regain, on body composition and energy expenditure. Ten weight-classified athletes were instructed to reduce their body weight by 5% in 7 days. Following the weight loss, they were asked to try to regain all of their lost weight with an ad libitum diet for 12 h. Food intake was recorded during the baseline, weight loss, and regain periods. Fat mass, total body water, and fat-free dry solids were estimated by underwater weighing and stable isotope dilution methods. A three-component model was calculated using Siris equation. Basal and sleeping metabolic rates were measured by indirect calorimetry. Body composition and energy expenditure were measured before and after weight loss and after weight regain. Body weight, total body water, and fat-free dry solids were decreased after the weight loss period but recovered after weight regain (p < 0.05). Basal metabolic rate did not change throughout the study. Sleeping metabolic rate decreased significantly during weight loss but recovered after weight regain. Changes in total body water greatly affect body weight during rapid weight loss and regain. In addition, rapid weight loss and regain did not greatly affect the basal metabolic rate in weight-classified athletes.

Minute-by-minute stepping rate of daily physical activity in normal and overweight/obese adults

SUMMARY The relationship between minute-by-minute stepping rate under free-living and obesity remains unclear. The purpose of the present investigation was to compare the levels of physical activity (PA) based on the minute-by-minute stepping rate under free-living conditions between normal weight (NW) and overweight and obese (OV) individuals. A total 40 volunteers participated in the present investigation. These participants were divided into NW or OV according to the body mass index (<25 kg m(-2) or 25 kg m(-2)). All participants wore a pedometer with a uni-axial accelerometer (Lifecorder-EX 4sec, Kenz, Japan) for 7 days continuously. The Lifecorder determined the number of steps and time spent in PA at <100, 100-129, 130 steps min(-1) according to the minute-by-minute stepping rate. The OV group took a significantly fewer number of steps per day in comparison to that in the NW group (p < 0.05). The average daily stepping rate was significantly lower in the OV group in comparison to that in the NW group (p = 0.01). Furthermore, the OV group spent a significantly shorter time in PA at a 100 steps min(-1) of the stepping rate compared with that in the NW group (p < 0.05). These results indicate that obese individuals spent significantly shorter time in PA at 100 steps min(-1) of stepping rate in comparison to the NW individuals.:

relationships between fat deposition in the liver and skeletal muscle and insulin sensitivity in Japanese individuals: a pilot study

Purpose: To evaluate the relationships between insulin sensitivity (IS), body fat accumulation, and aerobic capacity in middle- to older-aged Japanese participants with visceral adiposity. Participants and methods: Aerobic capacity was measured during an incremental ramp exercise test. Computed tomography was used to measure visceral (VFA) and subcutaneous (SFA) fat area, the fat in liver-to-spleen ratio (L/S), and low-density skeletal muscle area (LDMA). IS was assessed using euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamps. Results: A total of 11 males and 9 females, age 58 ± 9 years (mean ± standard deviation), body mass index 29 ±4.1 kg/m2, and VFA 190 ±53 cm2 participated in this study. In unadjusted models, VFA, LDMA, and L/S were significantly correlated with IS, which remained in adjusted models for LDMA and L/S, but not for VFA. In multiple stepwise regression analysis including sex, age, body fat, VFA, SFA, alcohol consumption, and aerobic capacity (oxygen uptake at the lactate threshold), L/S, and LDMA accounted for 70% of the total variance in IS. Percentage body fat and SFA, but not VFA, were significantly correlated with high molecular-weight adiponectin levels (r = 0.58, P < 0.01 and r = 0.54, P < 0.05, respectively). IS and L/S were significantly and negatively correlated with tumor necrosis factor-α (r = −0.67 and −0.63, respectively; both P < 0.01) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (r = −0.58, P < 0.01 and −0.52, P < 0.05, respectively), whereas LDMA was not. Conclusion: These findings indicate that ectopic fat deposition in the liver and skeletal muscle may be associated with peripheral IS independently of body fat accumulation and aerobic capacity in middle- to older-aged Japanese individuals with visceral adiposity. Because of the small sample size, additional larger studies are needed to provide further insight into these preliminary findings.

Relationship of Living Conditions With Dietary Patterns Among Survivors of the Great East Japan Earthquake

Background During the year after the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011, the health conditions and lifestyles of survivors were extensively surveyed. We examined the relationship between living conditions and dietary pattern among survivors. Methods A total of 10 466 survivors aged 18 years or older (25% of the population of that age in the area) participated in a survey of Iwate Prefecture. The average frequency of daily consumption of 8 food groups was determined by questionnaire. After excluding staple foods, which were consumed 3 times a day by 85% of participants, factor analysis was performed on 7 food groups among 9789 people (3795 men, 5994 women). Results Factor analysis identified 2 dietary patterns—prudent and meat. The prudent dietary pattern is characterized by high intakes of fish and shellfish, soybean products, vegetables, fruit, and dairy products and was more evident among older participants and women. The meat dietary pattern is characterized by high intakes of meat and eggs and was more evident among younger participants and men. Age-adjusted multiple logistic regression analyses showed that male and female current smokers and men and women living in difficult conditions were likely to have a lower prudent dietary pattern score; male current smokers and male daily alcohol drinkers were likely to have a higher meat dietary pattern score. Conclusions During the year after the earthquake, the prudent dietary pattern was associated with better living conditions among survivors, whereas the meat dietary pattern was not.

A 12-week aerobic exercise program without energy restriction improves intrahepatic fat, liver function and atherosclerosis-related factors

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE To study the effects of a 12-week continuous aerobic exercise program without energy restriction on intrahepatic fat, indices of liver function (aspartate aminotransferase [AST], alanine aminotransferase [ALT] and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase [γGTP]), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). METHODS Subjects were divided into two groups based on the degree of intrahepatic fat accumulation at baseline (high liver fat [HLF]: n = 13; low liver fat [LLF]: n = 14). Participants were instructed to exercise for more than 300 min per week at the lactate threshold. Fat accumulation (intramuscular, intrahepatic, visceral and subcutaneous fat) was evaluated by computed tomography. Blood samples were taken to determine the levels of AST, ALT, PAI-1, glucose and insulin. RESULTS Weight, body mass index, body fat, visceral fat and subcutaneous fat decreased significantly in both groups between baseline and post-intervention (P < 0.05), but were not significantly different between the two groups (P > 0.05). Intrahepatic fat, AST, ALT and PAI-1 improved significantly between baseline and post-intervention in the HLF group (P < 0.05; AST, P = 0.052), and improvements were significantly greater than those in the LLF group (P < 0.05). γGTP decreased significantly in the HLF group between baseline and post-intervention (P < 0.05), but was not significantly different between the two groups (P > 0.05). HOMA-IR did not significantly improve between baseline and post-intervention either within or between the two groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION This study revealed that a 12-week continuous aerobic exercise program without energy restriction might improve intrahepatic fat, liver function and atherosclerosis-related factors.

The Utilization of a Biopsy Needle to Obtain Small Muscle Tissue Specimens to Analyze the Gene and Protein Expression

Recent analytical methods such as real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blotting have now enabled us to analyze the gene and protein expression from small amounts of tissue. A fine needle muscle biopsy is thus expected to obtain a minimally sufficient amount of skeletal muscle to make a successful analysis. As a result, we used this fine needle muscle biopsy technique to obtain muscle tissue specimens from the vastus lateral muscle in 40 participants. The amount of tissue obtained by the fine needle was 5.2 +/- 3.2 mg (mean +/- standard deviation). The total RNA extracted was 3.0 +/- 1.4 microg and the total protein extracted was 2203 +/- 1541 microg. Furthermore, the skeletal muscle tissue specimens obtained by the regular needle technique and blood sample were used as the control. Those specimens were used to measure the gene expression of beta-myosin heavy chain slow (beta-MHC slow) by real-time PCR and the protein expression of monocalboxylate transporter 1 (MCT-1) by Western blotting. Beta-MHC slow gene expression was detected in both samples obtained by a fine and a regular needle biopsy, but not in a blood sample. Furthermore, the MCT-1 protein was detected in samples obtained by a fine needle muscle biopsy. These results indicated that the fine needle muscle biopsy is therefore a useful technique to obtain skeletal muscle specimens at least to analyze the gene and protein expression.

Skipping breakfast reduces energy intake and physical activity in healthy women who are habitual breakfast eaters: A randomized crossover trial

Many epidemiological studies indicate a positive relationship between skipping breakfast (SB) and obesity. However, it is unclear whether SB affects energy intake and physical activity during the day. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the acute effects of SB on energy intake and physical activity under free-living conditions. The present study used a randomized, crossover trial design comparing eating breakfast (EB) and SB days. Twenty lean, healthy women 21-25years old who were habitual breakfast eaters (≥5daysperweek) took part in this study. On EB days, participants were provided a standard breakfast (542kcal). The meals and physical activity after breakfast were under free-living conditions. The meals consisted of foods available at supermarkets, restaurants, and convenience stores. Dietary intake was evaluated by adding values from food labels. Physical activity was assessed using a tri-axial accelerometer. Energy intake at lunch was significantly increased after SB compared with EB (+131±188kcal; p=0.0057). Total energy intake per day was significantly lower after SB compared with EB (-262±428kcal, p=0.013). Physical activity energy expenditure was slightly lower after SB compared with EB (-41±75kcal in the morning, p=0.024; -56±129kcalperday, p=0.064). Step counts and time spent physically active over the whole day were not significantly different between conditions. Skipping breakfast reduced energy intake during the day and morning physical activity in healthy women who were habitual breakfast eaters. The decreased energy expenditure related to physical activity after SB did not exceed the decreased energy intake.

Understanding of sodium content labeled on food packages by Japanese people

Salt reduction is one of the most important lifestyle modifications for the prevention of hypertension. The health promotion law regulates the labeling of the nutrient content of food in Japan and, the level of sodium, not salt (sodium chloride), has to be printed on the labels of manufactured foods. In order to control their salt intake, consumers need to apply a conversion factor to the sodium levels listed on the labels to obtain the salt equivalent. However, it is not known whether people have the knowledge appropriate for making the conversion. We carried out a questionnaire survey at the 7th National Shokuiku (food education) Conference in 2012, asking subjects to determine the salt equivalent of 1000 mg of sodium on food labels. We also asked about the target values of salt reduction in grams in the Dietary Reference Intakes for Japanese 2010 (DRI2010) and the Guidelines for Management of Hypertension 2009 by the Japanese Society of Hypertension (JSH2009). We analyzed the data from 683 respondents (169 men and 514 women); only 13.3% of respondents gave a correct answer for the salt equivalent of 1000 mg of sodium (2.50–2.60 g), whereas 61.8 and 40.4% of respondents chose the correct target values for salt reduction according to DRI2010 and JSH2009, respectively. In conclusion, few people could convert sodium content to salt, which suggested difficulty in using food labels to control their salt intake. Salt content in grams, not sodium content, should be labeled on food packages for effective salt reduction and prevention of hypertension.

Body Mass Index and Kidney Stones: A Cohort Study of Japanese Men

BACKGROUND In Japan, the incidence of kidney stones has increased markedly in recent decades. Major causes of kidney stones remain unclear, and limited data are available on the relationship between overweight/obesity and the incidence of kidney stones. We therefore evaluated body mass index (BMI) and the incidence of kidney stones in Japanese men. METHODS Of the workers at a gas company, 5984 males aged 20-40 years underwent a medical examination in 1985 (baseline). This study includes 4074 of the men, who were free of kidney stones at baseline and underwent a second medical examination performed between April 2004 and March 2005. BMI was calculated from measured height and weight in 1985, and men were categorized into tertiles. The development of kidney stones during follow-up was based on self-reports from questionnaires at the second medical examination. RESULTS The average duration of follow-up was 19 years, with 258 participants developing kidney stones during this period. Using the lowest BMI (1st tertile) group as a reference, the hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals [CIs]) for the 2nd and 3rd BMI tertiles were: 1.26 (95% CI, 0.92-1.73) and 1.44 (95% CI, 1.06-1.96), respectively (P for trend = 0.019). After additionally adjusting for potential confounders, such as age, systolic blood pressure, cardiorespiratory fitness, cigarette smoking, and alcohol consumption, the hazard ratios were 1.28 (95% CI, 0.93-1.76) and 1.41 (95% CI, 1.02-1.97), respectively (P for trend = 0.041). CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that increased BMI is a risk factor for kidney stones in Japanese men.