Yoshizu Nozawa

Association between the Frequency of Protein-Rich Food Intakes and Kihon-Checklist Frailty Indices in Older Japanese Adults: The Kyoto-Kameoka Study

We aimed to investigate whether frequencies of protein-rich food intake were associated with frailty among older Japanese adults. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2011 among 3843 men and 4331 women in a population-based cohort of Kameoka city, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. Frailty was assessed by the weighted score based on the 25-item Kihon-Checklist. The frequency of protein-rich food intake was examined as “seafood”, “meat”, “dairy products”, “eggs”, and “soy products”. The outcome of frailty was analyzed with a multiple logistic regression model using the frequency of protein-rich food intake. When compared to the first quartile, it was observed that there was a significant association between the lower adjusted prevalence ratio (PR) for frailty and the frequency of seafood intake in the fourth quartile among men (PR 0.64, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.42, 0.99) and from the second quartile to the third quartile among women (PR 0.61, 95% CI, 0.43, 0.85; PR 0.64, 95% CI, 0.46, 0.91). The frequency of dairy products intake in the third quartile among women was significantly associated with a lower PR for frailty (p-value = 0.013). Our findings suggest that the consumption of seafood and dairy products may help older adults in maintaining their independence.

Effective prevention of sorafenib-induced hand–foot syndrome by dried-bonito broth

Background Sorafenib (SOR) is a molecular medicine that prolongs the survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Therefore, the management of side effects is essential for the longer period of continuous medication. Among the various side effects, hand–foot syndrome (HFS) is the most common, occurring in 30%–50% of patients, and often results in discontinuation of the SOR medication. However, its mechanism has not been clarified, and no effective prevention method has been reported for the symptoms. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze its mechanism and to develop an effective prevention regimen for the symptoms. Materials and methods To assess the mechanism of SOR-induced HFS, the peripheral blood flow in the hand and foot was carefully monitored by Doppler ultrasound, thermography, and laser speckle flowgraphy in the cases treated with SOR and its contribution was assessed. Then, the effect of dried-bonito broth (DBB), which was reported to improve peripheral blood flow, on the prevention of the symptom was examined by monitoring its occurrence and the peripheral blood flow. Results A total of 25 patients were enrolled in this study. In all, eight patients developed HFS, and all cases showed a significant decrease in the peripheral blood flow. DBB contributed to an increase in the flow (p = 0.009) and significantly decreased occurrence of HFS (p = 0.005) than control. Multivariable analysis showed that the ingestion of DBB is a significant independent contributor to HFS-free survival period (p = 0.035). Conclusion The mechanism of SOR-induced HFS involves a decrease in the peripheral blood flow, and the ingestion of DBB effectively prevents the development of the syndrome by maintaining the flow.

Effect of histidine on Sorafenib-induced vascular damage: Analysis using novel medaka fish model

BACKGROUND Sorafenib (SFN) is an anti-angiogenic chemotherapeutic that prolongs survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); its side effects, including vascular damages such as hand-foot syndrome (HFS), are a major cause of therapy discontinuation. We previously reported that maintenance of peripheral blood flow by intake of dried bonito broth (DBB) significantly prevented HFS and prolonged the administration period. The amino acids contained in DBB probably contribute to its effects, but the mechanism has not been clarified. We hypothesized that histidine, the largest component among the amino acids contained in DBB, has effects on SFN-induced vascular damage, and evaluated this possibility using a novel medaka fish model. METHODS The fli::GFP transgenic medaka fish model has a fluorescently visible systemic vasculature. We fed the fish with SFN with and without histidine to compare blood flow and vascular structure among the differently fed models. The vascular cross-sectional area of each fish was measured to determine vascular diameter changes. RESULTS Our results demonstrated that SFN-fed medaka developed a narrower vascular diameter. In addition, this narrowing was counteracted by addition of histidine to the medaka diet. We observed no positive effect of histidine on regeneration of cut vessels or on cell growth of endothelial cells and HCC cell lines. CONCLUSION We proved the efficacy of the medaka model to assess vascular changes after administration of specific chemicals. And our results suggest that SFN causes vascular damage by narrowing peripheral vessel diameter, and that histidine effectively counteracts these changes to maintain blood flow.

EFFECT OF DRIED‐BONITO BROTH ON PERIPHERAL BLOOD FLOW IN HUMANS: RELATIONSHIP TO IMPROVEMENT OF MOOD STATES

1 Dried‐bonito broth (DBB) has been shown to have various physiological effects to reduce fatigue in both animals and humans. 2 To evaluate whether DBB can improve peripheral blood circulation and improve mood states, a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, cross‐over study was performed in healthy female subjects. 3 As a result of 2 weeks’ intervention with DBB, subjects showed improved mood states and increased peripheral blood flow. 4 Changes in blood flow during DBB ingestion were significantly correlated with total mood disturbance (r = –0.38, P < 0.05): blood flow increased in subjects whose mental states were markedly improved. No significant correlations were found for placebo ingestion. The results suggest that DBB might improve mental condition by increasing blood flow; that is, by enhancing peripheral circulation.