Hyperinsulinemia correlates with low levels of plasma B-type natriuretic peptide in Japanese men irrespective of fat distribution

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), a member of the natriuretic peptide family, is a cardiac-derived secretory hormone with natriuretic, diuretic, and vasorelaxant activities. Intraabdominal fat accumulation is associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases and cardiac dysfunction. Circulating BNP levels are relatively low (within the normal limits) in obesity and the metabolic syndrome. However, the relationship between plasma BNP levels and visceral fat accumulation in general population has not been reported. The present study analyzed the relationships between plasma BNP levels and various clinical variables, including insulin, visceral and subcutaneous fat area (VFA and SFA, respectively), in normal Japanese men.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The study (Victor-J study) subjects were consecutive 500 Japanese male workers, who underwent a health checkup and were measured VFA and SFA by computed tomography.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Age-adjusted simple linear regression analysis showed that log-BNP correlated positively with HDL-cholesterol, and negatively with VFA, log-immunoreactive insulin (IRI), log-triglyceride, and LDL-cholesterol, but not body mass index or SFA. Stepwise multiple regression analysis identified log-IRI and HDL-cholesterol as significant determinants of log-BNP. Subjects with IRI ≥5.5 μIU/mL had lower plasma BNP levels than those with IRI < 5.5 μIU/mL, irrespective of obesity (body mass index, cutoff value 25 kg/m²), visceral fat accumulation (VFA, cutoff value 100 cm²) and subcutaneous fat accumulation (SFA, cutoff value 128 cm²).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our study showed that hyperinsulinemia correlated with low levels of plasma BNP in general men, irrespective of fat distribution.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>UMIN 000004318.</p

Cytoprotective Activity of Components of Garlic, Ginseng and Ciuwjia on Hepatocyte Injury Induced by Carbon Tetrachloride In Vitro

The antihepatotoxic activity of ten components related to plants were investigated using freshly isolated hepatocytes which maintained specific liver functions such as glucagon-dependent glycogenolysis and albumin producibility. Six components of garlic, i.e., S-methyl cysteine, S-ethyl cysteine, S-propyl cysteine, S-allylmercapto cysteine, alliin and S-allyl cysteine, and two syringaresinols of ciuwjia were synthesized. Two ginsenosides were purified from extract of ginseng. Both syringaresinols and S-allyl cysteine at concentrations of 250ng/ml and 0.5μg/ml, respectively, completely suppressed cytotoxicity on hepatocytes by CC14, as judged from GPT level released in the culture medium and morphology of the hepatocytes in stained specimens. The same was observed with S-propyl cysteine, S-allylmercapto cysteine and two ginsenosides at concentrations of lOμg/ml or less. Alliin was also effective but suppressed only GPT leakage. Four positive control drugs used was less effective. S-methyl cysteine and S-ethyl cysteine showed no obvious effect in any concentrations

Fabrication of metal coated carbon nanotubes by electroless deposition for improved wettability with molten aluminum

Ni-P alloy coated and Au/Ni-P alloy double-coated multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were fabricated using electroless plating. Three types of electroless Ni-P alloy plating baths were prepared to coat the MWCNTs with Ni-P alloy films of varying phosphorus content. Electroless gold coating of the Ni-P alloy coated MWCNTs was also carried out using a non-cyanide bath. The microstructures of the coatings on the MWCNTs were examined by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The wettability of the metal-coated MWCNTs with molten aluminum was also evaluated. MWCNTs coated with Ni-P alloy films containing 9-25 at.% phosphorus content were fabricated by electroless deposition. Electroless gold deposition on the Ni-P alloy coated MWCNTs to form Au/Ni-P alloy double-coated MWCNTs was also possible. The wettability of the metal-coated MWCNTs with molten aluminum was significantly improved compared to that of non-coated MWCNTs. The coating metals of the MWCNTs dissolved into the molten aluminum, resulting in good wettability between the MWCNTs and molten aluminum and dispersion of the resulting bare MWCNTs in the aluminum matrix. The dissolved coating metals formed stable compounds with molten aluminum.ArticleSURFACE & COATINGS TECHNOLOGY. 212:207-213 (2012)journal articl

Leisure-time, occupational, and commuting physical activity and risk of type 2 diabetes in Japanese workers: a cohort study

Table S1. Association between moderate-intensity and vigorous-intensity exercise during leisure and risk of type 2 diabetes. Table S2. Risk of type 2 diabetes associated with specific type of leisure-time exercise. (DOCX 47 kb

Metabolic syndrome correlates intracoronary stenosis detected by multislice computed tomography in male subjects with sleep-disordered breathing

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), especially obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), has frequent complications include hypertension, dyslipidemia and insulin resistance based on abdominal obesity or excess visceral fat (called Syndrome Z). OSA is a potential risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. The clinical characteristics of Japanese OSA subjects with OSA remain unclear. The present study investigated prevalence and predictive factors of intracoronary stenosis detected by multislice computed tomography (MSCT) in Japanese male subjects with SDB/OSA.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>The study (O-VFStudy) subjects were 39 Japanese men with SDB/OSA who underwent all-night cardiorespiratory monitoring with fully attended polysomnography, and moreover both fat computed tomography (CT) scan and 64-row MSCT coronary angiography. The prevalence of coronary stenosis in this selected population with SDB/OSA was 15%. Logistic regression analysis showed a significant relationship between age-adjusted CAD and metabolic syndrome (<it>p </it>< 0.05), but not serum adiponectin levels and nocturnal fall in adiponectin. Subjects with the metabolic syndrome had significantly higher prevalence of CAD (31.3 versus 4.3%, <it>p </it>= 0.033), and lower levels of serum adiponectin (4.5 ± 0.6 versus 6.4 ± 0.6 μg/mL, <it>p </it>= 0.014), compared with groups without the metabolic syndrome.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The present study describes that the prevalence of greater than 50% intracoronary stenotic lesions detected by MSCT was 15% and the metabolic syndrome was correlated with intracoronary stenosis detected by MSCT in Japanese SDB/OSA subjects.</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p>UMIN 000002997</p> <p><url>https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr/ctr.cgi?function=brows&action=brows&type=summary&recptno=R000003633&language=E</url>.</p

Successful transfer of ADA gene in vitro into human peripheral blood CD34+ cells by transfecting EBV-based episomal vectors

AbstractWe report a novel non-viral system for transfecting human immature hematopoietic cells in vitro. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-based episomal vectors carrying human adenosine deaminase (ADA) gene cDNA were transfected by electroporation into human peripheral blood (PB) CD34+ cells. The transgene-specific mRNA were detected from 37 to 100% of CFU-c (colony forming unit in culture) colonies derived from the transfected cells. A two-fold increase in enzyme activity was also found. These results indicate the successful transfer and expression of genes in human immature hematopoietic cells using the EBV-based episomal vector system

Plasma brain natriuretic peptide and the evaluation of volume overload in infants and children with congenital heart disease.

This study was designed to explore whether it was possible to evaluate the severity of VSD, PDA, and ASD by measuring brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels. We also investigated normal BNP levels in children to provide a baseline for our study. We measured BNP levels in 253 normal children, including 11 normal neonates, and in 91 VSD patients, 29 PDA patients, and 34 ASD patients. BNP levels showed no age-related differences in normal children (the mean value: 5.3 +/- 3.8 pg/ml). In the healthy neonates, BNP levels rose from 10.4 +/- 11.9 pg/ml in cord blood to 118.8 +/- 83.2 pg/ml on day 0, then fell to 15.3 +/- 7.8 pg/ml by day 7. In VSD and PDA patients, BNP levels correlated significantly with Qp/Qs, LVEDV, and peak RVP/LVP. In ASD patients, BNP levels correlated with Qp/Qs and RVEDV. Especially, in VSD patients, as an index corresponding to 1.5-2.0 of the Qp/Qs ratio, BNP levels of 20-35 pg/ml were found to be best with regard to both sensitivity and specificity. In the healthy neonates, BNP levels changed rapidly after birth. In VSD, PDA, and ASD patients, BNP levels were well-correlated with the severity of the disease. Especially, in VSD patients, it that appears BNP levels may be useful in evaluating surgical indications, with 20-35 pg/ml levels being the appropriate cut-off value.</p

Phenolic Off Flavor Characterization of Commercially Available Wine Yeasts and Selection of the Yeast for Koshu Winemaking

Abstract The grape Koshu is a traditional, Japan specific Vitis vinifera. As the Koshu wine has a relatively flat taste, the sur lies method and the small barrel fermentation have been employed to add richness to the wine. However, the Koshu grape contains relatively high amount of phenolic compounds. Therefore, the screening of phenolic off flavor (POF) negative strains has been carried out using mainly dried yeast products obtained from Lallemand. Of 47 yeast strains tested, the Uvaferm 228, Lalvin ICV Opale, Lalvin V1116 were found to be POF negative. We further examined the performance of winemaking using the yeasts, and the Uvaferm 228 was found to produce Koshu wine having rich aromas with many esters. The results of screening of POF negative yeasts and the GC-MS profile of the Uvaferm 228 are reported