濱清先生の講演

濱清先生の講

Evaluation of Quality of Life in Japanese Normal Pregnant Women

To evaluate QOL changes during pregnancy in developed country, we analyzed 159 pregnant Japanese women (67 nulliparous and 92 multiparous) who had no complications during pregnancy. Subjects were asked to complete the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form (SF-36) every 4 weeks up to 24 weeks of gestation, and every 2 weeks from 24 weeks of gestation until delivery. Subscales that reflect "Physical functioning (p?0.001)", "Role-physical (p?0.001)" and "Bodily pain (p?0.001)" showed significant declines throughout the entire pregnancy. On the other hand, subscales that reflect "Vitality," "General health" and "Mental health" did not change substantially with gestational age. Furthermore, subscales that reflect "Physical functioning," "Role physical," "General health" showed no significant differences between nulliparous and multiparous women. Although subscales that reflect "Bodily pain," "Vitality," "Social functioning," "Role emotional" and "Mental health" showed significant differences between nulliparous and multiparous women, these subscales showed significant interactions. Our results suggest that pregnant women need support, regardless of the number of deliveries. Appropriate supports to pregnant women will be available to improve the birth rate in developed countries

Hypothalamic 2-Arachidonoylglycerol Regulates Multistage Process of High-Fat Diet Preferences

In this study, we examined alterations in the hypothalamic reward system related to high-fat diet (HFD) preferences. We previously reported that hypothalamic 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) and glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) were increased after conditioning to the rewarding properties of a HFD. Here, we hypothesized that increased 2-AG influences the hypothalamic reward system.The conditioned place preference test (CPP test) was used to evaluate HFD preferences. Hypothalamic 2-AG was quantified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The expression of GFAP was examined by immunostaining and western blotting.Consumption of a HFD over either 3 or 7 days increased HFD preferences and transiently increased hypothalamic 2-AG levels. HFD consumption over 14 days similarly increased HFD preferences but elicited a long-lasting increase in hypothalamic 2-AG and GFAP levels. The cannabinoid 1 receptor antagonist O-2050 reduced preferences for HFDs after 3, 7, or 14 days of HFD consumption and reduced expression of GFAP after 14 days of HFD consumption. The astrocyte metabolic inhibitor Fluorocitrate blocked HFD preferences after 14 days of HFD consumption.High levels of 2-AG appear to induce HFD preferences, and activate hypothalamic astrocytes via the cannabinoid system. We propose that there may be two distinct stages in the development of HFD preferences. The induction stage involves a transient increase in 2-AG, whereas the maintenance stage involves a long lasting increase in 2-AG levels and activation of astrocytes. Accordingly, hypothalamic 2-AG may influence the development of HFD preferences