Yasuo Chuman

Dietary Sardine Oil Increases Erythrocyte Membrane Fluidity in Diabetic Patients

The effects of dietary sardine oil rich in eicosapentaenoic acid, C20:5 (EPA), on erythrocyte membrane fluidity and membrane and plasma lipids were investigated in diabetic and control subjects. Before consumption of this oil, the levels of erythrocyte membrane fluidity were lower in the diabetic subjects, as noted in our previous work (Diabetes 1983; 32:585–91). Decreased membrane polyunsaturated fatty acid contents were evident. Daily consumption of 2700 mg of sardine oil for 8 wk increased erythrocyte membrane fluidity, as determined by electron spin resonance using the 12- or 16- stearic acid label. This increase was seen after 4 wk, and the level remained elevated for 8 wk. Membrane EPA of phospholipid acyl-chains significantly increased after 4 wk and was even more apparent after 8 wk. Membrane-free cholesterol to phospholipid molar ratios significantly decreased after 8 wk. Both the diabetic and normal subjects responded to the sardine oil in the same way. After feeding with sardine oil, there no longer were differences in erythrocyte membrane fluidity between, the normal and diabetic subjects. We propose that improvement in membrane fluidity may contribute to the amelioration of altered cell membrane functions in diabetic patients.

Erythrocyte Membrane Fluidity Decreased in Uremic Hemodialyzed Patients

Erythrocyte membrane fluidity was studied by means of electron spin resonance in 15 uremic, hemodialyzed patients and 14 normal subjects. Erythrocyte membrane fluidity determined using a 16-nitroxide stearic acid spin label probe was of a significantly lower level in the uremic patients, when compared with normal control subjects. Alterations in molar ratios of membrane free cholesterol to phospholipid are probably not a principal factor contributing to this change in fluidity. Significant decreases of phosphatidylcholine and molar ratios of phosphatidylcholine to sphingomyelin were noted in the erythrocyte membrane of uremic patients, and these alterations may relate to the fluidity change.

A study on the stomach mass x-ray follow-up on the persons who had not undergone the precise examination (“no examination group”)

We will report the follow-up studies of the patient of the stomach cancer found by stomach survey as to inspect the significance of the examination. We selected 4 districts, A, B, C, D, where we did the examination once a year for 5 years successively, and we excluded the industrial concerns from the survey. The result is as follows. 1) The number of the population and it s candidates The total population from 1962 to 1967 were 42,057 men and the total candidates were 6,237 men, therefore the ratio of the candidates to the population is 14.8%. It s ratio in each district is as follows; A distr ict is 23.6%, B distr ict 8.5%, C district 85.7%, D distr ict 7.5%. You find that C district has a good result. The reason is C district was given an economic help and a strong backing of the administrative organs as a model case. 2) Number of the patient of the stomach cancer 21 carcinomas were found and the ratio of the patients to the candidates is 0.33%. In 21 cases 6 were early gastric cancer. 3) Operation Among 21 cases, 18 were operated on. 4) Course of the patient of the stomach cancer In the investigation in September 1968, 12 men (57.1%) out of 21 patientes are alive. It goes without saying that 6 patients of early stomach cancer are all alive. In 9 patients found before 1963, 4 cases (44.4%) are alive more than 5 years. Between 1962 to 1967, 25 men died of s tomach cancer and these 25 men had never had the examination of the mass-examination survey. The mortali ty rates of the stomach cancer patients who had the examination is 91/46 (19.5%) and that of the patients who never had the examination is 25/46 (54.3%). As to the cases found after 1964, it is difficult to say any conclusions. 5) How many t imes one man had the examination We examined 2,937 men for 5 years but only 466 men (15.9%) took the examination every year, 146 men (4.9%) 4th times, 243 men (8.3%) took 3 times, 512 men (17.4%) took twice, and 1,570 men (53.5%) took only once. The ratio of the candidates to the population is very low, and only small number of the people took the examination every year.