Serum Apolipoprotein M Levels are Correlated with Biomarkers of Coagulation

Background:Apolipoprotein M (ApoM) is bound to high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in plasma, and HDL has anticoagulation effects. However, the association between ApoM and biomarkers of coagulation was unclear. Therefore, we investigated relationships between ApoM and biomarkers of coagulation. Methods: Serum samples from 233 Japanese participants including with diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, or healthy controls were analyzed. Serum ApoM levels were measured using Enzyme-Linked Immuno-Sorbent Assay(ELISA). Results:Analysis of all 233 participants showed that ApoM levels were positively correlated with age (r＝0.284, p＜0.001), total cholesterol (TC;r＝0.477, p＜0.001), HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C;r＝0.234, p＜0.001) and lowdensity lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C;r＝0.331, p＜0.001). Higher ApoM levels were correlated with shorter activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT;r＝－0.226,p＝0.001) and prothrombin time(PT,％;r＝0.326,p＜ 0.001). Separate analysis of the 115 healthy controls showed that ApoM levels were positively correlated with age, TC, HDL-C and LDL-C, and higher ApoM levels were correlated with shorter PT. Conclusion:Serum levels of ApoM may influence biomarkers of coagulation

Age-Related Sex Differences in Glucose Tolerance by 75 g Oral Glucose Tolerance Test in Japanese

To elucidate the age-related sex difference in glucose tolerance, we conducted 75 g oral glucose tolerance tests in 1156 participants. Participants were divided into four groups, namely, young (22–29) males, young females, middle-aged (>50) males, and middle-aged females. According to the Japanese Clinical Practice Guideline for Diabetes 2019, the prevalence of normal glucose tolerance (NGT) was significantly lower in middle-aged than in young participants. The prevalence of high-normal fasting plasma glucose (FPG) was higher, and NGT was lower in young males (high-normal FPG 15.2%, NGT 82.0%) than young females (high-FPG 3.9%, NGT 94.3%). Combined glucose intolerance (CGI) was higher and NGT was lower in middle-aged males (CGI 10.2%, NGT 25.2%) than in middle-aged females (CGI 3.3%, NGT 39.8%). FPG and body mass index (BMI) were the lowest and Homeostatic model assessment beta cell function (HOMA-β) was the highest in young females, followed by young males, middle-aged females, and middle-aged males. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that BMI weakly correlated with HOMA-β and Matsuda index in all subjects except young females. The superior glucose tolerance in females was apparent in young, but attenuated in middle-aged females. The differences are due to the higher insulin secretion potential and lower BMI in young females

Frequency and Clinical Implication of the R450H Mutation in the Thyrotropin Receptor Gene in the Japanese Population Detected by Smart Amplification Process 2

In Japanese pediatric patients with thyrotropin (TSH) resistance, the R450H mutation in TSH receptor gene (TSHR) is occasionally observed. We studied the frequency and clinical implication of the R450H mutation in TSHR in the general population of Japanese adults using smart amplification process 2 (SmartAmp2). We designed SmartAmp2 primer sets to detect this mutation using a drop of whole blood. We analyzed thyroid function, antithyroid antibodies, and this mutation in 429 Japanese participants who had not been found to have thyroid disease. Two cases without antithyroid antibodies were heterozygous for the R450H mutation in TSHR. Thus, the prevalence of this mutation was 0.47% in the general population and 0.63% among those without antithyroid antibodies. Their serum TSH concentrations were higher than the average TSH concentration not only in subjects without antithyroid antibodies but also in those with antithyroid antibodies. The R450H mutation in TSHR is relatively common in the Japanese population and potentially affects thyroid function. The present study demonstrates that the SmartAmp2 method is useful to detect the R450H mutation in TSHR, which is one of the common causes of TSH resistance in the Japanese population

Assessment of exercise-induced stress via automated measurement of salivary cortisol concentrations and the testosterone-to-cortisol ratio: a preliminary study

Abstract In this study, our aim was to validate whether the automated measurement of salivary testosterone and cortisol concentrations and the testosterone-to-cortisol (T/C) ratio, considering their individual circadian rhythms can be used to assess the stress response of male athletes to different exercise intensities accurately and effectively. We measured the salivary testosterone and cortisol concentrations and their respective serum concentrations that were collected from 20 male long-distance runners via passive drooling in the morning and evening for two consecutive days involving different exercise intensities. An electrochemiluminescence immunoassay was performed to evaluate the salivary testosterone and cortisol concentrations. The results showed a positive correlation between the salivary testosterone and cortisol concentrations and their respective serum concentrations. The participants were divided into two groups: with and without interval training. The interval training group showed a significantly higher rate of change in the salivary cortisol concentration and a significantly lower rate of change in the T/C ratio in the evening interval training on day 1 than lower-intensity running on day 2. Our results indicated that the salivary cortisol concentrations and the T/C ratio could distinguish between exercises at different intensities, which may be beneficial for detecting differences in stress responses among athletes

Konjac Glucomannan Attenuated Triglyceride Metabolism during Rice Gruel Tolerance Test

In a recent study, we showed that konjac glucomannan (KGM) inhibits rice gruel-induced postprandial increases in plasma glucose and insulin levels. To extend this research, we investigated the effects of KGM addition to rice gruel on pre- and postprandial concentrations of circulating lipoprotein lipase (LPL), glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored high-density lipoprotein-binding protein 1 (GPIHBP1), hepatic triglyceride lipase (HTGL), free fatty acids (FFA), and triglycerides (TG). A total of 13 Japanese men, without diabetes, dyslipidemia, or gastrointestinal diseases, interchangeably ingested rice gruel containing no KGM (0%G), rice gruel supplemented with 0.4% KGM (0.4%G), and rice gruel supplemented with 0.8% KGM (0.8%G), every Sunday for 3 weeks. Blood samples were obtained at baseline and at 30, 60, and 120 min after ingestion to measure the abovementioned lipid parameters. Lipid parameters showed small, but significant, changes. Significant reductions were found in circulating FFA levels among all participants. Circulating TG levels significantly declined at 30 min and then remained nearly constant in the 0.8%G group but exhibited no significant difference in the 0%G and 0.4%G groups. Although circulating levels of LPL and GPIHBP1 significantly decreased in the 0%G and 0.4%G groups, they increased at 120 min in the 0.8%G group. Participants in the 0%G and 0.4%G groups showed significant decreases in circulating HTGL levels, which was not observed in the 0.8%G group. Our results demonstrate the novel pleiotropic effects of KGM. Supplementation of rice gruel with KGM powder led to TG reduction accompanied by LPL and GPIHBP1 elevation and HTGL stabilization, thereby attenuating TG metabolism