Katsumi Imai

Association between beta 3-adrenergic receptor polymorphism and a lower reduction in the ratio of visceral fat to subcutaneous fat area during weight loss in Japanese obese women

We investigated whether amino acid substitution of tryptophan by arginine at the residue 64 (64 Arg) of beta 3-adrenergic receptor affects on the degree of reduction in the abdominal fat distribution during a 3-month weight reduction program in either pre- or postmenopausal Japanese women. Beta 3-adrenergic receptor gene polymorphism was examined in 90 Japanese obese women by restriction-enzyme cleavage conformation. The visceral and subcutaneous fat area was measured by magnetic resonance imaging. The baseline body mass index, body weight, fat mass and abdominal subcutaneous and total fat area in 15 obese postmenopausal women with a beta 3-adrenergic receptor (64 Arg) were significantly higher than those in 25 postmenopausal obese women with a beta 3-adrenergic receptor (64 Trp/64 Trp). In contrast, no such differences were found in the 50 premenopausal obese women. After a 3-month weight reduction period, the ratio of visceral to subcutaneous fat areas tended to be lower in both pre-and post-menopausal women with a beta 3-adrenergic receptor (64 Arg), but statistically significant in only the premenopausal obese women (p<0.05). The absolute changes in visceral fat areas in 5 homozygotes with a beta 3-adrenegic receptor (64 Arg/64 Arg) was significantly smaller than those in 50 obese women with a beta 3-adrenegic receptor (64 Trp/64 Trp). These results thus suggest that an amino acid substitution at residue 64 of beta 3-adrenergic receptor may play an important role in the regulation of fat distribution in Japanese obese women.

Supplementation of highly concentrated β-cryptoxanthin in a satsuma mandarin beverage improves adipocytokine profiles in obese Japanese women

BackgroundSerum β-cryptoxanthin levels are lower in overweight subjects than in normal subjects. Abnormalities of adipocytokine profiles in obesity subjects have been reported. There are several reports that serum β-cryptoxanthin levels in them were relatively lower than normal subjects.ObjectiveWe hypothesize that supplementation of highly concentrated β-cryptoxanthin improves serum adipocytokine profiles in obese subjects. This study tested the association between β-cryptoxanthin intake and serum adipocytokine levels.MethodsAn intervention study consisted of a 3-week long before-and-after controlled trial, where β-cryptoxanthin (4.7 mg/day) was given to 17 moderately obese postmenopausal women.ResultsThe results indicated no significant changes in body weight or body mass index (BMI). Serum β-cryptoxanthin levels increased significantly by 4-fold. Serum high molecular weight (HMW)-adiponectin levels increased significantly, while serum plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1 levels decreased.ConclusionsWe concluded that increasing the intake of β-cryptoxanthin to approximately 4 mg per day for 3 weeks may have beneficial effects on the serum adipocytokine status and consequently alleviate progression of metabolic syndrome.

Daily Exercise Fluctuations and Dietary Patterns During Training Predict Visceral Fat Regain in Obese Women

Background:Visceral adiposity is an essential component of metabolic syndrome. Reduction of excessive visceral fat prevents metabolic syndrome and improves atherosclerotic diseases. This study aimed to identify dietary patterns and physical exercise during the training-education period that predict visceral adiposity regain during the follow-up period. Methods:One hundred one moderately obese Japanese women, 23 to 67 years of age, participated in 0- to 4-month training-education and 12-month follow-up periods. Dietary patterns of food groups during training-education were analyzed by principal components analysis, and 3 major dietary patterns were derived. The change in visceral fat over the follow-up, adjusted for 4-month visceral fat area (VFA) and 4- to 16-month body mass index change, was analyzed using stepwise multiple linear regression. Results:VFA and body weight decreased during training-education (P < 0.001) and were maintained during follow-up. One major dietary pattern (of 3) (P = 0.030) and standard deviations of daily exercise duration (P = 0.012) during training-education predicted VFA regain during follow-up. This regain correlated negatively with combinations of bread, milk and dairy products, fruits, seeds and nuts, and mushrooms, but positively with combinations of rice, pickles, miso, alcohol, and meat. The large standard deviation of daily exercise duration during training-education showed greater VFA regain during follow-up than did the smaller standard deviation (P = 0.023), but body mass index did not show a similar trend. Conclusion:Our results revealed that daily exercise fluctuations and dietary patterns were useful predictors of visceral fat regain.

Irregular Patterns in the Daily Weight Chart at Night Predict Body Weight Regain

This study examined whether charting daily weight patterns can predict weight regain in obese patients. The subjects were 98 moderately obese Japanese women aged 23 to 66 years who were obliged to precisely record their daily weights during the initial 4-month education period, but not thereafter. The patients were followed up at 8, 12, and 16 months. Abdominal fat areas and blood samples were assessed in the outpatient clinic at 0, 4, and 16 months. The standard deviations (SDs) of the differences in body weight between “after waking up” and “after breakfast” (SDa), “after dinner” (SDb), and “before going to bed” (SDc) were calculated, which were parameters reflecting the fluctuations in the daily weight patterns during the first 4 months. SDc, but not SDa or SDb, was correlated positively with weight regain at 8, 12, and 16 months (P = 0.049, P = 0.002, and P = 0.001, respectively). There were significant differences in temporal change in body weight and abdominal visceral fat between the small SDc group (SDc ≤25th percentile) and the large SDc group (SDc >75th percentile), but not for subcutaneous abdominal fat or the serum concentrations of glucose, insulin, or lipids. The results indicate that fluctuation of body weight immediately before going to bed is useful for predicting the rebound in body weight.

Subcutaneous Fat Accumulation Shows a Beneficial Correlation with Serum Cholesterol in Postmenopausal Japanese Women

This study aimed to investigate whether accumulation of subcutaneous abdominal fat has a beneficial correlation with lipid metabolism in premenopausal and/or postmenopausal Japanese women. The study enrolled 146 premenopausal women, ranging in age from 19 to 54 years, and 82 postmeno-pausal women, ranging in age from 47 to 66 years. Fat distribution, including abdominal visceral fat area (VFA) and abdominal subcutaneous fat area (SFA), were measured in an outpatient clinic by magnetic resonance imaging. Homogeneity of the regression slopes for SFA to total cholesterol (P = 0.030), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P = 0.020), apolipoprotein B (apoB) (P = 0.001), and the ratio of apoB to apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) (P = 0.003) were not found between premenopausal and postmenopausal women, even after adjustment for both VFA and age. However, the regression slopes for VFA to all measured lipid parameters, as well as apolipoproteins, were homogeneous between the premenopausal and postmeno-pausal groups. Abdominal SFA in postmenopausal women correlated negatively with total cholesterol (P = 0.007), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P = 0.002), apoB (P < 0.001), and the ratio of apoB to apoA-I (P = 0.001), after adjustment for age and VFA, but this was not the case in premenopausal women. The mechanisms involved in the beneficial effects of subcutaneous fat accumulation in postmenopausal women remain obscure, but upregulated aromatase expression, derived from adipose tissue, may possibly improve lipid and apolipoprotein metabolism.

Relationship between nutrient factors and osteo-sono assessment index in calcaneus of young Japanese women

The aim of our study was to investigate the association between nutrient factors and the osteo-sono assessment index (OSI) for calcaneus of young Japanese women. The subjects consisted of 965 young women aged from 18 to 22 years studying at the Department of Food and Nutrition at Nakamura-Gakuen University. The OSI was measured by ultrasonic bone absorptiometry. We found that age, weight, height, exercise, as well as the daily intakes of calcium, phosphorus, protein, energy and sodium were the main factors related to OSI in young women. Positive associations were observed between the OSI and the weight, exercise and daily intakes of calcium, protein and energy, whereas while negative associations were seen between the OSI and the age, height and daily intakes of phosphorus and sodium. In addition, all of these factors were also independently related to the OSI.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SERUM TOTAL CHOLESTEROL LEVEL AND NUTRITIONAL STATUS IN JAPANESE YOUNG FEMALE.

Abstract The serum cholesterol level at a young age is considered to be a significant factor in the high prevalence of coronary heart disease. Seven hundred and ninety-six females, mean age 18.9 (18∼22), participated in both blood sampling and a nutritional survey. The nutritional survey was carried out in 1995 by the 24-hour recall method to determine the individual food consumption. The BMI, serum total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and triglyceride were 20.8 (SE 0.08) kg/m 2 , 181 (SE 1.0) mg/dL, 60 (SE 0.4) mg/dL, 66 (SE 1.2) mg/dL, respectively. Higher than normal levels of total cholesterol (>200 mg/dL) and Lp(a) (>30mg/dL) were obtained in 22.1% and 19.3% of the subjects, respectively. The total energy intake was 1700 kcal/day, twenty-seven % of which was derived from fat and 46% from cereals. In a multiple regression analysis, the serum total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol were found to be significantly associated with the BMI as well as the simple carbohydrate and fat energy ratio, respectively, whereas the HDL showed a significantly negative correlation with the BMI. The triglyceride level was associated with the BMI. These results suggests that the BMI, fat energy ratio and simple carbohydrate intake, such as cakes and beverages, appear to be the main factors influencing of hyperlipidemia in young Japanese females.

Interannual study of spot urine–evaluated sodium excretion in young Japanese women

The authors investigated interannual differences in the sodium excretion levels of young healthy Japanese women as estimated from spot urine analysis at Nakamura Gakuen University from 1995 to 2015. Participants included 4931 women aged 18 to 20 years who were classified into three time periods according to year of health check: first (1995–2001), second (2002–2007), and third (2008–2015). Estimated daily urinary sodium and potassium excretion levels and the sodium to potassium ratio were 120.6±31.9 mmol, 35.2±8.1 mmol, and 3.5±0.9, respectively. Adjusted for body weight, sodium excretion, and potassium excretion significantly decreased in the second and third period compared with the first period (P<.001). Systolic blood pressure also decreased in the same way between time periods (P<.001). Estimated urinary excretion levels of sodium and potassium in young Japanese women have decreased over the past 20 years independently of body weight.

Sodium and potassium urinary excretion levels of preschool children: Individual, daily, and seasonal differences

In this study, the authors measured sodium and potassium concentrations in spot urine samples of preschool children on multiple days, and evaluated individual, daily, and seasonal effects. A total of 104 healthy preschool children aged 4 to 5 years were studied. Urine samples were collected from the first urine of the day after waking for three consecutive days (Monday–Wednesday) four times a year (spring, summer, autumn, winter). The authors estimated the daily urine volume as 500 mL and daily creatinine excretion as 300 mg, and used these to calculate daily sodium and potassium excretion levels. Daily sodium and potassium excretion levels and sodium to potassium ratios were highly variable. The coefficient variant in the childrens excretion levels were also high within and between individuals. Sodium excretion levels and sodium to potassium ratios were higher on Monday (weekend sodium intakes) than Tuesday. Season had no effect on sodium or potassium excretion levels, but the sodium to potassium ratio was higher in summer than in winter. In conclusion, levels of urinary sodium excretion are comparatively high and those of potassium are low in preschool students, with high variability within and between individuals.

Effects of Histidine Intake on Weight Loss in Moderately Obese Women

ヒスチジンから合成される神経ヒスタミンは, レプチンにより賦活化され摂食を抑制し, 脂肪分解を促進することが動物実験で報告されている。本研究は, 中高年肥満女性において, ヒスチジン摂取が摂食を抑制し, 脂肪分解を促進し, 血清レプチン濃度に影響を及ぼすか否かについて検討を行った。対象者は3カ月間の減量プログラムに参加した中高年肥満女性118名である。減量前後に, 採血, 体重測定, 食事調査を行った。減量後のタンパク質当りヒスチジン摂取量とエネルギー摂取量の間には有意な負の相関が認められた。この関係は, 血清レプチン濃度で補正後も成立した。また, 減量後のタンパク質当りヒスチジン摂取量と血清遊離脂肪酸濃度の間には有意な正の相関が認められた。以上のことより, 中高年肥満女性においてヒスチジン摂取が摂食を抑制し, 脂肪分解を促進する可能性が示唆され, ヒスチジンが肥満の予防, 改善に有効なアミノ酸であることが考察された。