Yukio Moriguchi

Fish Intake and Cardiovascular Risk Among Middle-Aged Japanese in Japan and Brazil:

Background Studies of immigrant populations are useful for analysis of the effects of environmental factors on cardiovascular disease. We have examined the association between dietary habit of fish intake and cardiovascular risk. Methods Population-based samples of 433 middle-aged Japanese men and women in Japan (Shimane (group JS) and Okinawa (group JO)) and 269 Japanese immigrants in Brazil (Sao Paulo (group BS) and Campo Grande (group BC)), who had originally moved to Brazil mainly from Shimane and Okinawa, were recruited to the study. They underwent blood pressure measurement, 24-h urine collection, blood tests and electrocardiographic examination, and completed a dietary questionnaire. Results There was a significant gradient through the groups, from JS to JO, BS and BC with respect to the prevalence of obesity, hypertension, increased glycohaemoglobin concentrations and ST-T segment change on the electrocardiogram (prevalences for men and women combined: Group JS 2.0%, group JO 3.8%, group BS 3.9% and group BC 9.0%; P< 0.025). The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia was noted more frequently in groups BS and BC. Twenty-four-hour urinary taurine excretion in both sexes and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PU FA) in plasma phospholipids in men were significantly higher in groups JS and JO than in groups BS and BC. A striking negative gradient in the frequency of fish intake per week was found from group JS (men/women, 4.7/4.8) to groups JO (3.8/3.6), BS (1.9/1.6) and BC (0.5/0.5). Conclusions This study suggests a possible association between fish intake and reduced cardiovascular risk, through the beneficial effects of taurine and n-3 PU FA and a habitual low intake of calories and fat.

Soybean Isoflavones Reduce Postmenopausal Bone Resorption in Female Japanese Immigrants in Brazil: A Ten-Week Study

Objective: Some human studies and animal models of experimental osteoporosis have shown that soy isoflavones may be effective on bone health. In this study, we carried out an intervention study to explore the effects of dietary isoflavone on bone metabolism. Methods: Forty healthy female postmenopausal Japanese immigrants living in Brazil were divided into two groups: isoflavone-administered (n = 20) or placebo (n = 20). Subjects in the isoflavone-administered group ingested 37.3 mg per day for 10 weeks. The collection of 24-hour urine and the measurement of bone stiffness were performed at 0 and 10 weeks. Urinary excretion of isoflavones and bone resorption markers were analyzed. Results: Urinary isoflavone excretion in the isoflavone-administered group was significantly increased at weeks 3 and 10. Urinary excretion of bone resorption markers was reduced in the isoflavone-administered group, while the placebo group did not show any significant reduction. Differences in levels of urinary isoflavones and bone resorption markers between the two groups were significant. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the bone resorption was associated with the intake of soy isoflavones in postmenopausal women, and continuous dietary intake of isoflavone may inhibit postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Prevalence of dementia in the older Japanese-Brazilian population.

Abstract The prevalence of dementing disorders in Campo Grande of a community of Japanese‐Brazilians who immigrated from Okinawa was studied. Previous reports showed that the dietary pattern in Japanese immigrants in Brazil, which characterized by a low fish and large meat intake, is possibly responsible for increased risk of cardiovascular diseases compared with Japanese in Okinawa. A total of 157 persons over 70‐year‐old were examined, and 19 cases were diagnosed as having dementia. The prevalence (cases/100 aged 70‐year‐older) was 12.1 for all types of dementia, 5.7 for Alzheimers disease (AD), 0.6 for vascular dementia (VD), 4.5 for mixed dementia (AD/VD) and 1.3 for other types of dementia. There was no case of dementia with Lewy bodies or frontotemporal lobar degeneration. These results are similar to many previous studies in Western countries and some recent surveys in Japan, and clearly show that more AD than VD appears even in the Japanese‐Brazilian population. The higher prevalence rate of dementia in Japanese‐Brazilians compared with several studies in Japan may indicate the importance of dietary factors rather than genetic factors.

Analysis of the Association Between Apolipoprotein E Polymorphism and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in an Elderly Population with Longevity

OBJECTIVE To establish the allelic and genotypic frequencies related to apolipoprotein E (ApoE) polymorphism and association of the genotypes with risk factors and cardiovascular morbidity in an elderly population with longevity. METHODS We analyzed 70 elderly patients aged 80 years or more who were part of the Projeto Veranópolis. We used the gene amplification technique through the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and cleavage with the restriction enzyme Hha I to identify the ApoE genotypes. The most frequent genotypes were compared considering biological variables and cardiovascular risks and morbidity. RESULTS The frequencies of the E2, E3, and E4 alleles were 0.05, 0.84, and 0.11, respectively, and of the genotypes were as follows: E3E3 (0.70), E3E4 (0.22), E2E3 (0.06), and E2E2 (0.02). Individuals with the E3E4 had a mean age greater than those with the E3E3. No association was observed between the genotypes and the variables analyzed, except for obesity, which was associated with the E3E3 genotype. Individuals with the E3E4 genotype had high levels of LDL-cholesterol and fibrinogen as compared with those with the E3E3 genotype. CONCLUSION The results suggest that the E4E4 genotype may be associated with early mortality. A balance between the protective or neutral factors and the cardiovascular risk factors may occur among the individuals with different genotypes, attenuating the negative effects of the E4 allele.

IMPACT OF DIET ON THE CARDIOVASCULAR RISK PROFILE OF JAPANESE IMMIGRANTS LIVING IN BRAZIL: CONTRIBUTIONS OF WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION CARDIAC and MONALISA STUDIES

1. Japanese immigrants from Okinawa living in Brazil have a higher mortality from cardiovascular diseases and have their mean life expectancy shortened compared with their counterparts living in Japan.

A religiosidade no processo de viver envelhecendo

This study aimed to identify how religious and spiritual practices are experienced at different ages during the aging process. The study was cross-sectional and observational and conducted in the city of Chapeco, SC, from July 2008 to January 2009. The sample included 2,160 individuals with 720 individuals interviewed in each age group. The analysis was univariate and obtained the absolute and relative frequency of each variable. The final data obtained were statistically analyzed with SPSS 13.0 software. It was observed that 77.6% of the respondents were Catholic and that the older individuals were more religious. A total of 50.6% of the respondents prayed once a day, 38.3% of them to offer thanks and 30.4% in the supine position. We conclude that religiosity is a valuable resource in coping with the crises of everyday life and positively affects physical and mental health, particularly in the elderly.This study aimed to identify how religious and spiritual practices are experienced at different ages during the aging process. The study was cross-sectional and observational and conducted in the city of Chapecó, SC, from July 2008 to January 2009. The sample included 2,160 individuals with 720 individuals interviewed in each age group. The analysis was univariate and obtained the absolute and relative frequency of each variable. The final data obtained were statistically analyzed with SPSS 13.0 software. It was observed that 77.6% of the respondents were Catholic and that the older individuals were more religious. A total of 50.6% of the respondents prayed once a day, 38.3% of them to offer thanks and 30.4% in the supine position. We conclude that religiosity is a valuable resource in coping with the crises of everyday life and positively affects physical and mental health, particularly in the elderly.

The religiosity in the process of living getting old

This study aimed to identify how religious and spiritual practices are experienced at different ages during the aging process. The study was cross-sectional and observational and conducted in the city of Chapeco, SC, from July 2008 to January 2009. The sample included 2,160 individuals with 720 individuals interviewed in each age group. The analysis was univariate and obtained the absolute and relative frequency of each variable. The final data obtained were statistically analyzed with SPSS 13.0 software. It was observed that 77.6% of the respondents were Catholic and that the older individuals were more religious. A total of 50.6% of the respondents prayed once a day, 38.3% of them to offer thanks and 30.4% in the supine position. We conclude that religiosity is a valuable resource in coping with the crises of everyday life and positively affects physical and mental health, particularly in the elderly.This study aimed to identify how religious and spiritual practices are experienced at different ages during the aging process. The study was cross-sectional and observational and conducted in the city of Chapecó, SC, from July 2008 to January 2009. The sample included 2,160 individuals with 720 individuals interviewed in each age group. The analysis was univariate and obtained the absolute and relative frequency of each variable. The final data obtained were statistically analyzed with SPSS 13.0 software. It was observed that 77.6% of the respondents were Catholic and that the older individuals were more religious. A total of 50.6% of the respondents prayed once a day, 38.3% of them to offer thanks and 30.4% in the supine position. We conclude that religiosity is a valuable resource in coping with the crises of everyday life and positively affects physical and mental health, particularly in the elderly.

JAPANESE PERSPECTIVE ON REDUCTION IN LIFESTYLE DISEASE RISK IN IMMIGRANT JAPANESE BRAZILIANS: A DOUBLE-BLIND, PLACEBO-CONTROLLED INTERVENTION STUDY ON PALATINOSE

1 Nine male Japanese immigrants living in Brazil who had been exposed to risk factors for lifestyle‐related diseases, such as excess sugar intake, were tested using a cross‐over design for hyperglycaemia and hyperinsulinaemia for 2 h after an oral loading of sucrose (S; 50 g) or palatinose sugar (PS; 50 g; containing palatinose and sucrose in a ratio of 9 : 1). 2 Thirty male Japanese immigrants were randomized to a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled intervention study and given S or PS for daily use for 16 weeks. Then, on the basis of the World Health Organization CARDIAC study protocol, blood pressure measurements, laboratory tests on fasting blood samples and visceral fat examination by computed tomography were undertaken in these subjects. 3 Glycaemic and insulinaemic responses were suppressed significantly more 30 min and 1 h, respectively, after oral loading of PS compared with S. 4 The PS group showed significant (P < 0.05) decreases in visceral fat and systolic and diastolic blood pressure from baseline and a trend towards the reduction of visceral fat compared with the S group, although the difference did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.06). 5 Therefore, PS is expected to contribute to the prevention of metabolic syndrome.

New Beverage for Cardiovascular Health, Proposal Based on Oriental and Occidental Food Culture from a World-Wide Epidemiological Study

Objectives:  To investigate whether combined isoflavones and antioxidants in oriental and occidental drinks reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in high‐risk Japanese immigrants living in Brazil.

Regional differences of death from chronic diseases in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil from 1970 to 1976

Abstract Maps of age adjusted death rates (AADRs) of each health district (HD) in Rio Grande do Sul, the southernmost state of Brazil, for ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, malignant neoplasm of all sites, esophagus, stomach, colon, lung and breast from 1970 to 1976 are presented. Geographic distribution patterns of these diseases show a strong geographic dependency indicating that environmental factors are important in the etiology of these diseases. Higher AADRs from malignant neoplasms were observed in stock farming areas of the state and from ischemie heart disease and cerebrovascular disease in coast and stock farming areas. AADR from esophagus cancer for males of the state was the highest in the world and for females, it was also one of the highest group. Stomach cancer mortality rate per 100,000 population was about 14.4 through the period of examination and it was about 2.5 times of that of colon cancer in spite of a large quantity of beef consumption. The rank order of AADRs in the world from cancer of digestive tract, from esophagus to rectum, was compared with the rank order of AADRs for the state. This showed a step-down pattern declining from upper to lower tract, and AADR from colon cancer was the same as that of Japan, one of the low risk countries for colon cancer. Higher AADRs from esophagus and stomach cancer might be due to very hot “mate-tea” (infusion of Ilex paraguayensis A. St. Hil.) and a large salt intake, especially in stock farming areas. Rapid increase of AADRs from lung and breast cancer were also observed and they showed a similar geographic distribution. Further studies on the environmental factors associated with AADRs from above mentioned diseases are needed.