Relationship between an Angiotensinogen Gene Polymorphism (M235T) and Serum Lipids: A Cross-Sectional Study among Japanese Workers

Angiotensinogen (AGT) is a component of the renin-angiotensin system, which plays a central role in blood pressure regulation. Although it is controversial, the association between AGT gene polymorphisms and hypertension, and coronary heart disease is suspected. In a case-control study on the metabolic syndrome, an association between AGT M235T polymorphism and serum total cholesterol (TC) level was demonstrated by Thomas et al. (2001). To reconfirm this relationship, a cross-sectional study among Japanese workers with 876 dyslipidemia and 1,158 non-dyslipidemia subjects was carried out. To evaluate the AGT M235T polymorphism, a PCR-mutant allele specific amplification (MASA) method was employed. No significant difference in the distribution of genetic variance was observed between the two groups. Although it was not significant, the T allele correlating to the lower TC of the present study occurred in a reversed manner to the previous report. In our results, no significant association between AGT M235T and TC was observed

Effects of Glu298Asp Polymorphism of Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase (eNOS) Gene on eNOS mRNA and Protein Expressions in Cultured Human Vascular Endothelial Cells

The relationship between cardiovascular disease and Glu298Asp polymorphism of nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene in vascular endothelial cells is controversial due to conflicting results. To demonstrate the effects of Glu298Asp polymorphism of the eNOS gene on eNOS gene expression by excluding the effects of various confounding factors, eNOS mRNA and protein expressions were measured using cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) according to genotypes of Glu298Asp polymorphism of the eNOS gene. eNOS mRNA expression was measured by real-time PCR/reverse trasnscription-PCR. eNOS protein expression was measured by an immunoassay method. HUVECs with Glu298Asp tended to show higher eNOS mRNA and protein expressions than those with Glu298Glu, but the difference was not significant. These results suggest that the genotypic difference of Glu298Glu and Glu298Asp has no effect on eNOS mRNA and protein expressions

Serum leptin levels and their association with several factors related to arteriosclerosis among medical students in Japan

The association between serum leptin levels and several factors related to arteriosclerosis were studied in subjects who were Japanese medical students taking no medications. The group was comprised of 75 males and 35 females. The age distribution in males was 21.4 to 29.8 years (median age, 24.0 years) and in females was 21.3 to 29.9 years (median age, 22.9 years). Statistical analyses were performed using the Wilcoxon rank sum test and Spearman correlation. Median levels of serum leptin were 3.3 ng/ml in males and 7.6 ng/ml in females. The largest correlation observed was widi percent body fat irrespective of sex [males; r=0.775, p<0.001, females; r=0.553, p<0.001]. However, body mass index (BMI) was similarly well correlated with serum leptin [r=0.631, p<0.001] in males but not in females [r=0.305, p=0.075]. A negative correlation was observed between high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and leptin in both sexes [males; r=-0.298, p<0.01, females; r=-0.363, p<0.05] .respectively. Percent body fat, BMI, diastolic blood pressure, apolipoprotein B, and HDL-C were the most significant factors in males. Percentage of body fat and HDL-C were the most important factors in females

A Cross-sectional Study on the Relationship between Smoking Habits and Subjective Health Status in Japanese Nursing Students

Purpose: To clarify the relationship between smoking habits and subjective symptoms in female nurse students. Subjects: There were enrolled 945 female nursing students from four nursing colleges and junior colleges in two prefectures in Kyushu. Method :