Mariko Nakamoto

Inverse Correlation Between Coffee Consumption and Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome: Baseline Survey of the Japan Multi-Institutional Collaborative Cohort (J-MICC) Study in Tokushima, Japan

Background It is unclear whether consumption of coffee and green tea is associated with metabolic syndrome. Methods This cross-sectional study enrolled 554 adults who had participated in the baseline survey of the Japan Multi-Institutional Collaborative Cohort (J-MICC) Study in Tokushima Prefecture, Japan. Consumption of coffee and green tea was assessed using a questionnaire. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed using the criteria of the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III) and the Japan Society for the Study of Obesity (JASSO). Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between consumption of coffee and green tea and prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its components. Results After adjustment for sex, age, and other potential confounders, greater coffee consumption was associated with a significantly lower prevalence of metabolic syndrome, as defined by NCEP ATP III criteria (P for trend = 0.03). Participants who drank more coffee had a lower odds ratio (OR) for high serum triglycerides (P for trend = 0.02), but not for increased waist circumference or high blood pressure. Using JASSO criteria, moderate coffee consumption (1.5 to <3 cups/day) was associated with a significantly lower OR for high plasma glucose (OR = 0.51, 95% CI 0.28-0.93). Green tea consumption was not associated with the prevalence of metabolic syndrome or any of its components. Conclusions Coffee consumption was inversely correlated with metabolic syndrome diagnosed using NCEP ATP III criteria, mainly because it was associated with lower serum triglyceride levels. This association highlights the need for further prospective studies of the causality of these relationships.

Consumption of Seafood, Serum Liver Enzymes, and Blood Levels of PFOS and PFOA in the Japanese Population

Consumption of Seafood, Serum Liver Enzymes, and Blood Levels of PFOS and PFOA in the Japanese Population: Miwa YAMAGUCHI, et al. Department of Preventive Medicine, Institute of Health Biosciences, the University of Tokushima Graduate School, Japan—

Relationship of Dietary Factors and Habits with-Sleep-wake Regularity

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the associations between dietary factors and sleep-wake regularity in the Japanese population. We analyzed 1368 eligible subjects (931 men and 437 women) aged 35-69 years who had participated in the baseline survey of a cohort study in Tokushima Prefecture, Japan. Information on individual lifestyle characteristics, including dietary habits and sleep-wake regularity, was obtained by a self administrated questionnaire. Logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate adjusted associations of the intake energy ratios of macronutrients, as well as intake frequency, and the amount of staple foods with sleep wake regularity. The lowest quartile of protein intake as well as the highest quartile of carbohydrates showed significantly higher multivariable-adjusted odds ratios of 2.1 (95% confidence interval, 1.3-3.3) and 2.1 (1.3-3.5), respectively, for poor sleep-wake regularity compared with the respective second quartile that is thought to be moderate intake. Regarding intake of staple foods, low weekly intake frequency at breakfast (<5 times/week), the lowest intake amount (<1 bowl or slice/roll) at breakfast, and the highest intake amount (>=2 bowls or slices/ rolls) at lunch and dinner exhibited significantly high adjusted odds ratios for poor sleep-wake regularity. Additionally adjusting for sleep duration, these results did not substantially alter. Our results suggested that low intake energy ratio of proteins and high intake energy ratio of carbohydrates, skipping intake of the staple foods at breakfast, and excessive intake amount of the staple foods at lunch and dinner may be associated with poor sleep-wake regularity.

Consumption of coffee, not green tea, is inversely associated with arterial stiffness in Japanese men

Background/Objectives:Studies on the associations between coffee and green tea consumption and arterial stiffness are rare. This study evaluated the possible relationships between coffee and green tea consumption and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (ba-PWV) values in Japanese men.Subjects/Methods:In total, 540 eligible men who enrolled in the baseline survey of a cohort study in Tokushima Prefecture, Japan, and who underwent ba-PWV measurement were analyzed. Information about lifestyle characteristics including coffee and green tea intake were obtained from a structural self-administered questionnaire. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to evaluate the associations between coffee and green tea consumption and ba-PWV.Results:Subjects with greater coffee consumption were younger and showed higher proportions of current smoking and alcohol consumption. Subjects with greater green tea consumption were older and showed lower proportions of current smoking and alcohol consumption. Greater coffee consumption was significantly inversely associated with ba-PWV after the adjustment for probable covariates, including serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P for trend =0.031). After additional adjustment for serum triglycerides, this inverse association persisted, but was somewhat attenuated (P for trend =0.050). In contrast, green tea consumption was not associated with ba-PWV.Conclusions:Coffee consumption was inversely associated with arterial stiffness independent of known atherosclerotic risk factors, and this association was partly mediated by reduced circulating triglycerides. Further prospective or interventional studies are needed to confirm the causal association.

Dietary diversity decreases the risk of cognitive decline among Japanese older adults

To clarify the effectiveness of dietary diversity, calculated by dietary records, on cognitive decline.

Abundant daily non-sedentary activity is associated with reduced prevalence of metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance

Background: Non-exercise activity thermogenesis has recently drawn attention because of its potential to prevent weight gain. Aim: This study evaluated the relationships between the duration of daily non-sedentary activities and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance (IR) in the Japanese population. Material/subjects and methods: A total of 518 eligible subjects (380 men and 138 women) who attended the Tokushima Prefectural General Health Checkup Center and participated in the baseline survey of a cohort study conducted in Tokushima Prefecture, Japan were analyzed. Information about lifestyle characteristics including leisure-time exercise and daily non-exercise activities was obtained from a questionnaire. Logistic and multiple linear regression analyses were performed to evaluate the associations between the duration of daily non-exercise non-sedentary activities (beyond sitting) and prevalence of metabolic syndrome (and its components) and IR. Results: Subjects with longer duration of daily non-sedentary activities had significantly lower adjusted odds ratios for metabolic syndrome (p for trend =0.024), abdominal obesity (p for trend =0.023), and low HDL-cholesterol levels (p for trend =0.002), after adjustment for sex, age, and other probable covariates including leisure-time exercise. Longer duration of daily non-sedentary activities was further associated with lower homeostasis model of assessment-IR (HOMA-IR) values (p for trend =0.009). Conclusions: Our results suggest that abundant daily non-sedentary activity might be associated with a lower prevalence of metabolic syndrome, especially for the components of central obesity and low HDL-cholesterol levels, and with a lower prevalence of IR, independent of leisure-time exercise.

Soy Isoflavone Equol Perpetuates Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Acute Colitis in Mice

The effects of the soy isoflavones, genistein, daidzein and equol, on experimental colitis were examined. Equol severely perpetrated dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis as evaluated by the weight loss. Production of the anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-10, from T cells was decreased in the equol-treated mice. The results show that the soy isoflavone, equol, played an important role in the inflammatory response in the gastrointestinal tract.

Age-related changes in energy intake and weight in community-dwelling middle-aged and elderly Japanese

ObjectiveThis study attempts to describe trends in energy intake and weight change over 12 years according to age at first participation in the study.DesignProspective cohort study.SettingThe National Institute for Longevity Sciences - Longitudinal Study of Aging (NILS-LSA), a community-based study.ParticipantsParticipants included 922 men and 879 women who participated in the first study-wave (age 40–79 years) and also participated in at least one study-wave from the second to seventh study-wave. Each study-wave was conducted biennially. For individuals, the entire follow-up period was 12 years.MeasurementsEnergy intake was calculated from 3-day dietary records with photographs. Weight and height were measured under a fasting state. To estimate linear changes in energy intake and weight over 12 years according to age at first study-wave, we used the mixed-effects model.ResultsMean (SD) follow-up time and number of study-wave visits were 9.5 (3.7) years and 5.4 (1.8) times, respectively. The fixed effect of the interaction of age and time in energy intake and weight was statistically or marginally statistically significant both in men (p<0.01) and in women (p<0.06). In men, when energy intake was estimated according to age, the rate of decrease in energy intake increased from -6.8 to -33.8 kcal/year for ages 40-79 years. In women, the rate of decrease in energy intake slightly increased in older age groups (-9.1 to -16.7 kcal/year for ages 40-79 years). Weight increased in males in their 40s (0.07 kg/year from age 40) and started to decline by age 53. In women, weight started to decline around age 47 (-0.04 kg/year).ConclusionTwelve-year longitudinal data showed energy intake declined both in men and women in their 40s, and the rate of decrease increased in older males. Weight started to decline in men in their mid-50s and women in their late 40s. Further studies that focus on energy intake and weight reduction are needed to prevent weight loss or underweight in an increasingly aging society.

Dietary Ribonucleic Acid Suppresses Inflammation of Adipose Tissue and Improves Glucose Intolerance That Is Mediated by Immune Cells in C57BL/6 Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet

Recent evidence suggests that immune cells play an important role in differentiation of inflammatory macrophages in adipose tissue, which contributes to systemic chronic inflammation. Dietary ribonucleic acid (RNA) has been shown to modulate immune function. We hypothesized that RNA affects immune cell function in adipose tissue and then improves inflammatory response in adipose tissue. C57/BL6 mice and recombination activating gene-1 (RAG-1) knockout mice on a C57BL/6 mice background were fed a high-fat diet containing 1% RNA for 12 wk. An oral glucose tolerance test was performed. Supplementation of dietary RNA in C57BL/6 mice fed a high-fat diet resulted in a smaller area under the curve (AUC) after oral glucose administration than that for control mice. The mRNA expression levels of inflammation-related cytokines in adipose tissue and serum interleukin-6 levels were reduced by dietary RNA supplementation. Interestingly, reduction of the AUC value by RNA supplementation was abolished in T and B cell-deficient RAG-1 knockout mice. These results indicate that RNA improves inflammation in adipose tissue and reduces the AUC value following oral glucose administration in a T and B cell-dependent manner.

Inverse association between soya food consumption and insulin resistance in Japanese adults.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of the present study was to examine the association between soya food consumption and insulin resistance using baseline data of the Japan Multi-Institutional Collaborative Cohort (J-MICC) Study in Tokushima, Japan. DESIGN This cross-sectional study included 1274 subjects, aged 34-70 years at baseline, living in Tokushima Prefecture between 2008 and 2013. Fasting blood samples were collected and information on lifestyle characteristics including soya food intake and medical history were obtained using a structured self-administered questionnaire. The homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was measured and those with HOMA-IR ≥ 2.5 were defined as having insulin resistance. Multiple logistic regression models were used to analyse the association between soya product intake and the prevalence of insulin resistance. SETTING Rural communities located in Tokushima Prefecture, Japan, between 2008 and 2013. SUBJECTS A total of 1148 adults (565 men and 583 women), aged 34-70 years. RESULTS The frequency of intake of miso soup, total non-fried soya products and total soya products showed significant inverse dose-response relationships with insulin resistance, after adjustments for potential confounders. When soya product intake was calculated as soya protein and isoflavone, the odds ratios of insulin resistance decreased significantly as the estimated intake of soya protein increased. Furthermore, significant inverse dose-response relationships were observed for total non-fried soya products and total soya products, after adjustment for total vegetable or total fibre consumption. CONCLUSIONS The present results indicate that the intake of soya products and non-fried soya products is associated with reduced insulin resistance in the Japanese population.