Blood soluble Fas levels and mortality from cardiovascular disease in middle-aged Japanese: The JACC study.

Limited evidence has been available on the relationship between apoptosis and cardiovascular disease in population-based samples. We examined whether blood soluble Fas (sFas) are associated with mortality from cardiovascular diseases.In a nested case-control study under a large prospective cohort, the Japan Collaborative Cohort (JACC) Study, where a total of 39,242 subjects, 40-79 years of age, provided serum samples and were followed up for 9 years, we measured sFas levels among cases and controls, matched for sex, age, area of residence and year of serum storage. Conditional logistic regression models were used to calculate odds ratio (95% CI) of mortality from stroke and stroke types, according to quartiles and 1-SD increment of sFas levels.During the follow-up (1988-1997), we identified 233 (121 in men and 112 in women) deaths from total stroke, comprising 49 (18 and 31) subarachnoid hemorrhages, 55 (27 and 28) intraparenchymal hemorrhages, 71 (44 and 27) ischemic strokes, and 97 (53 and 44) coronary heart diseases. After adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors, the multivariable odds ratio (95% CI) of subarachnoid hemorrhage associated with a 1-SD increment of sFas (1.3 ng/ml in both men and women) was 4.04 (1.07-15.3; p = 0.04). No association was found between blood sFas levels and risk of intraparenchymal hemorrhage, ischemic stroke or coronary heart disease.Higher blood sFas levels were associated with higher mortality from subarachnoid hemorrhage, suggesting a potential role of apoptosis factors in the development or prognosis of subarachnoid hemorrhage

Association between markers of arterial stiffness and atrial fibrillation in the Circulatory Risk in Communities Study (CIRCS).

Background and aims:Limited evidence is available on the association between markers of arterial stiffness and the prevalence of atrial fibrillation among Asian populations. Therefore, we examined those associations in the Japanese population.Methods:We conducted a cross-sectional population-based study of 4264 men and women aged 40-79 years. The augmentation index (AI), a marker of arterial stiffness, was calculated as the ratio of central pulse pressure/brachial pulse pressure, where the AI and central aortic pressure were measured by an automated tonometer: the HEM-9000AI device (Omron Healthcare co., Kyoto, Japan). Atrial fibrillation was estimated by the Minnesota codes using resting electrocardiograph (ECG).Results:The prevalence of atrial fibrillation and total arrhythmia were higher with larger AI values. These associations did not change after adjustment for known cardiovascular risk factors. The multivariable odd ratios (95% confidence intervals) in the highest versus lowest tertiles of AI were 3.4 (1.4-8.6, p for trend = 0.008) for atrial fibrillation and 1.8 (1.2-2.7, p for trend = 0.004) for total arrhythmia. There was no association of central or brachial pulse pressure levels with the prevalence of atrial fibrillation or total arrhythmia.ConclusionAI values, but not brachial or central pulse pressures, were positively associated with the prevalence of atrial fibrillation and total arrhythmia, independent of cardiovascular risk factors

Association of cigarette smoking with radial augmentation index: the Circulatory Risk in Communities Study (CIRCS)

This study aimed to assess the association of cigarette smoking with radial augmentation index among the Asian general population. We conducted a cross-sectional population-based study including 1593 men and 2671 women aged 40–79 years. Smoking status was ascertained through interviews, and the number of pack-years was calculated. The radial augmentation index was defined as the ratio of central pulse pressure to brachial pulse pressure, as measured using an automated tonometer: the HEM-9000AI (Omron Healthcare co., Kyoto, Japan). There was a higher prevalence of an increased radial augmentation index among current male smokers who smoked ≥ 30 cigarettes/day and all female smokers than among never smokers. After adjusting for known risk factors of atherosclerosis, the multivariable odds ratio (OR) [95% confidence interval (CI)] for a high radial augmentation index for current male smokers who smoked ≥30 cigarettes/day compared with never smokers was 1.9 (1.1–3.4). The multivariable OR (95% CI) for a high radial augmentation index for former female smokers and current female smokers compared with never smokers was 1.8 (1.2–2.7) and 2.5 (1.6–3.9), respectively. Moreover, smoking pack-years was positively associated with a high radial augmentation index in both sexes. There were no relationship between smoking status and high central or brachial pulse pressures among subjects of either sex. In conclusion, cigarette smoking and cumulative smoking exposure were positively associated with an increased radial augmentation index in men who smoked heavily and in women

Among the water-soluble vitamins, dietary intakes of vitamins C, B-2 and folate are associated with the reduced risk of diabetes in Japanese women but not men

Recent studies have shown that micronutrients are involved in the pathology of type 2 diabetes. Antioxidant effects of vitamins C and B-2 and homocysteine-lowering effects of vitamins B-6, folate and B-12 may have protective roles. However, a few reports have investigated the association between dietary water-soluble vitamin intakes and risk of diabetes. In a prospective study encompassing 19 168 healthy Japanese men and women aged 40-79 years, we examined the associations between dietary intakes of water-soluble vitamins, determined by a validated self-administered FFQ, with the risk of 5-year cumulative incidence of type 2 diabetes by using the logistic regression model. Within the 5-year period, there were 494 self-reported new cases of diabetes. Higher dietary intakes of vitamins C, B-2 and folate were associated with lower risk of incident diabetes only in women, whereas no associations of dietary intakes of vitamins B-1, B-3, B-5, B-6 and B-12 were observed in either sex. The multivariable OR in the highest v. the lowest quartile of intakes among women were 0.61(95 % CI 0.44, 0.94; P-trend = 0.04) for vitamin C, 0.56 (95 % CI 0.34, 0.93; P-trend = 0.03) for vitamin B-2 and 0.70 (95 % CI 0.46, 0.98; P-trend = 0.03) for folate. Other than that for sex (P 0.10. In conclusion, higher dietary intakes of vitamins C, B-2 and folate, but not other water-soluble vitamins, were associated with reduced risk of type 2 diabetes in Japanese women

Associations between dietary intakes of iron, copper and zinc with risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus : A large population-based prospective cohort study

Background & aims: Abnormal homeostasis of iron, copper and zinc has been included in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, the evidence of associations between dietary intakes of these elements and T2DM is limited. We thought to examine the association between dietary intakes of iron, copper and zinc with risk of T2DM in Japanese population. Methods: A prospective study encompassing 16,160 healthy Japanese men and women aged 40-65 years in whom the associations between dietary intakes of iron, copper and zinc, determined by a validated self-administered food frequency questionnaire, with risk of 5-year cumulative incidence of validated physician-diagnosed T2DM, were evaluated by logistic regression model. Results: We ascertained 396 self-reported new cases of diabetes within 5-year period. Dietary intakes of iron (total and nonheme but not heme iron) and copper were positively associated with risk of T2DM; the multivariable OR in the highest versus lowest quartiles of intakes were 1.32 (1.04, 1.70; P-trend = 0.03) and 1.55 (1.13, 2.02; P-trend = 0.003), respectively. These associations were more evident in the high risk group; older, overweight, smokers and those with family history of diabetes. The dietary intake of zinc was inversely associated with risk of T2DM; the multivariable OR was 0.64 (0.54, 1.00; P-trend = 0.003), and such association was evident among younger subjects (age 40-55 years) only. Conclusions: Dietary intakes of iron and copper were associated with a higher risk, while dietary intake of zinc was associated with a reduced risk of T2DM in Japanese population

Fat soluble vitamins and heart failure death

Objective: A few reports have investigated the association of dietary vitamin intakes with risk of heart failure in Asia. Therefore, we examined the relation of dietary intakes of fat-soluble vitamins A, K E, and D with mortality from heart failure in Japanese population. Research Methods and Procedures: A total of 23,099 men and 35,597 women aged 40-79 years participated in the Japan Collaborative Cohort Study and completed a food frequency questionnaire, from which dietary intakes of vitamin A, K, E and D were calculated. Cox proportional hazard model was used to estimate the sex-specific risk of heart failure mortality according to increasing quintiles of fat soluble vitamin intakes. Results: During median 19.3-year follow-up, there were 567 deaths from heart failure (395 men and 307 women). Dietary vitamin A intake showed no association with heart failure mortality in both genders; contrary, the reduced risk was observed in women but not in men with dietary intakes of vitamin K, E and D. The multivariable HRs (95% CI) in the highest versus the lowest intake quintiles among women were 0.63 (0.45, 0.87; P for trend=0.006) for vitamin K, 0.55 (0.36, 0.78; P for trend=0.006) for vitamin E and 0.66 (0.48, 0.93; P for trend= 0.01) for vitamin D. The association for each vitamin was slightly attenuated but remained statistically significant after mutual adjustment for other vitamins. Conclusions: High dietary intakes of fat soluble vitamins K, E and D were associated with reduced risk of heart failure mortality in Japanese women but not men

The Prospective Association Between Plasma Concentrations of Cellular Growth Factors and Risk of Heart Failure Mortality in Japanese Population

Background: Limited evidence is available on the association of insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) and risk of heart failure in population-based samples. We investigated whether serum IGFs concentrations can predict mortality from heart failure. Methods: We conducted a nested case-control study of 39,242 subjects aged 40–79 years who participated in the JACC study, a large Japanese prospective cohort study; participants provided serum samples and were followed up for 9 years. In heart failure cases and age-, sex-, community-, and year of blood withdrawal-matched controls, we measured serum concentrations of IGF-I, IGF-II, and IGF binding protein 3 (IGFBP3) and transforming growth factor (TGF-β1). Results: During the follow-up, there were 88 heart failure deaths (44 men and 44 women). Each increment of 1 standard deviation [SD] of IGF-II (120.0 ng/mL in women and 143.7 ng/mL in men) was associated with a 47% reduced risk of mortality from heart failure; multivariable odds ratio was 0.53 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.30–0.94, P-trend = 0.03). The multivariable odds ratio in the highest quartile of IGFBP3 serum concentrations (≥3.29 µg/mL in women and ≥3.31 µg/mL in men) compared with the lowest (<2.11 µg/mL in women and <2.56 µg/mL in men) was 0.24 (95% CI, 0.05–1.11; P-trend = 0.12). No association was found between serum concentrations of IGF-I or TGF-β1 and risk of heart failure. Conclusions: Higher serum concentrations of IGF-II were associated with lower mortality from heart failure, which might suggest a possible role of IGF-II in the occurrence or prognosis of heart failure

Blood soluble Fas levels and mortality from cardiovascular disease in middle-aged Japanese : The JACC study

Background and aims: Limited evidence has been available on the relationship between apoptosis and cardiovascular disease in population-based samples. We examined whether blood soluble Fas (sFas) are associated with mortality from cardiovascular diseases. Methods: In a nested case-control study under a large prospective cohort, the Japan Collaborative Cohort (JACC) Study, where a total of 39,242 subjects, 40-79 years of age, provided serum samples and were followed up for 9 years, we measured sFas levels among cases and controls, matched for sex, age, area of residence and year of serum storage. Conditional logistic regression models were used to calculate odds ratio (95% CI) of mortality from stroke and stroke types, according to quartiles and 1-SD increment of sFas levels. Results: During the follow-up (1988-1997), we identified 233 (121 in men and 112 in women) deaths from total stroke, comprising 49 (18 and 31) subarachnoid hemorrhages, 55 (27 and 28) intra-parenchymal hemorrhages, 71 (44 and 27) ischemic strokes, and 97 (53 and 44) coronary heart diseases. After adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors, the multivariable odds ratio (95% CI) of subarachnoid hemorrhage associated with a 1-SD increment of sFas (1.3 ng/ml in both men and women) was 4.04 (1.07-15.3; p = 0.04). No association was found between blood sFas levels and risk of intraparenchymal hemorrhage, ischemic stroke or coronary heart disease. Conclusions: Higher blood sFas levels were associated with higher mortality from subarachnoid hemorrhage, suggesting a potential role of apoptosis factors in the development or prognosis of subarachnoid hemorrhage

Does multiple sclerosis increase the risk of preeclampsia? A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective: We investigated, via systematic review and meta-analysis, whether multiple sclerosis (MS) is associated with the risk of preeclampsia (PE). Methods: From the eligible studies, we pooled odds ratios (ORs) and confidence intervals (CIs) of PE for pregnant women with MS compared with pregnant women without it using the fixed-effects model. The I2 measured heterogeneity between studies. Results: Eight eligible studies (9 cohorts) were included. Pregnant women with MS had no excess risk of PE compared with pregnant women without MS (pooled OR = 0.99, 95% CI: 0.89, 1.09; I2 = 0.00%). Conclusion: MS is not associated with PE