An association between expression of neurotrophic factor and pain-related behavior induced by nucleus pulposus applied on the nerve root in rats

博士（医学）福島県立医科大

Effects of mild calorie restriction and high-intensity interval walking in middle-aged and older overweight Japanese

We investigated whether a combination of mild calorie restriction (MCR) and high-intensity interval walking (HIW) improved physical fitness more than HIW alone in middle-aged and older overweight Japanese (40-69 years old, BMI >= 23.6 kg/m(2)). Forty-seven women and 16 men were divided into MCR + HIW and HIW groups. All subjects performed HIW: >= 5 sets of 3-min low-intensity walking (40% peak aerobic capacity for walking, VO2peak) and 3-min high-intensity walking (>= 70% VO2peak) per day, >= 4 days per week, for 16 weeks while energy expenditure was monitored with a tri-axial accelerometer. The MCR + HIW group consumed meal replacement formula (240 kcal): a mixture of low-carbohydrates and -fat and high-protein, for either lunch or dinner everyday and therefore, had similar to 87% of the energy intake of the HIW group during the intervention period. Although the HIW group showed improvements in BMI, blood pressure, and several blood chemicals, the MCR + HIW group had greater improvement. Moreover, the medical expenditure for the 6 months including the intervention period was 59% lower in the MCR + HIW group than in the HIW group. Our strategy of a short-term combination of MCR and HIW may thus prevent lifestyle-associated diseases and improve health in middle-aged and older overweight Japanese.ArticleEXPERIMENTAL GERONTOLOGY. 44(10):666-675 (2009)journal articl

高齢者のADLギャップに関する研究の動向

【目的】 高齢者のADL ギャップの要因とその縮小に向けた効果的な介入について整理し，今後の研究の方向性を検討することを目的として，高齢者のADL ギャップに関する研究を概観した．【方法】 国内文献は，医学中央雑誌Web 版Ver.5 を用いて「できるADL」「しているADL」「差or格差or 差異or 相違」 を，海外文献は，PubMed とCINAHL Plus with Full Text を用いて 「capability ADL or capability activities of daily living」「performance ADL or performance activities of daily living」「gap＊ or difference or disparity」「ADL gap＊」をキーワードに検索した．分析は，発表年， 筆頭著者（職種），論文種類，研究対象，研究方法（デザイン，データ収集方法，分析方法）について記述統計を行い，研究内容は，類似性に従い分類した．【結果】 対象文献は25件であり，1980 年から年0～4 件のペースで発表された．研究内容は，【ADLギャップの影響要因】【ADLギャップの縮小に向けた介入】【ADLギャップの実態調査】【ADLギャップに関する因果検証】に大別された．【結論】 今後は，介護老人保健施設や特別養護老人ホームの入居者，内部疾患や認知症者を対象とするADLギャップの実態，高齢者の生理的老化や社会的背景とADLギャップとの関連，ADLギャップのない高齢者の要因を明らかにすることである．また，ADLギャップの縮小に向けて，他職種との共通指標の設定や，簡便なADLギャップ評価ツールやスタッフ教育プログラム・患者参加型アプローチの開発とその効果に関する研究の必要性が示唆された

The Protective Role of Astaxanthin for UV-Induced Skin Deterioration in Healthy People—A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Skin is a major safeguard tissue in humans. Because biological barrier function is deteriorated by several kinds of stresses including exposure to ultra-violet (UV) rays, the protection and treatment of skin conditions by dietary supplements are important. We therefore evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation with an algal food-derived antioxidant, astaxanthin, on UV-induced skin deterioration. Twenty-three healthy Japanese participants were recruited to a 10-week double-blind placebo-controlled study. They were assigned to the astaxanthin group supplemented with a capsule containing 4 mg of astaxanthin or the placebo group. To assess the protective role of astaxanthin for UV-induced skin deterioration, we determined the minimal erythema dose (MED) and analyzed UV-induced changes of moisture and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) at baseline and after 9 weeks of supplementation. Subjective skin conditions were assessed by the visual analog scale. The astaxanthin group showed increased MED compared with placebo. In addition, the astaxanthin group had a reduced loss of skin moisture in the irradiated area compared with placebo. Subjective skin conditions for “improvement of rough skin” and “texture” in non-irradiated areas were significantly improved by astaxanthin. Astaxanthin seems protective against UV-induced skin deterioration and helps maintain healthy skin in healthy people

Effects of Composite Supplement Containing Collagen Peptide and Ornithine on Skin Conditions and Plasma IGF-1 Levels—A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Aging-associated changes of skin conditions are a major concern for maintaining quality of life. Therefore, the improvement of skin conditions by dietary supplementation is a topic of public interest. In this study, we hypothesized that a composite supplement containing fish derived-collagen peptide and ornithine (CPO) could improve skin conditions by increasing plasma growth hormone and/or insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels. Twenty-two healthy Japanese participants were enrolled in an 8-week double-blind placebo-controlled pilot study. They were assigned to either a CPO group, who were supplemented with a drink containing CPO, or an identical placebo group. We examined skin conditions including elasticity and transepidermal water loss (TEWL), as well as plasma growth hormone and IGF-1 levels. Skin elasticity and TEWL were significantly improved in the CPO group compared with the placebo group. Furthermore, only the CPO group showed increased plasma IGF-1 levels after 8 weeks of supplementation compared with the baseline. Our results might suggest the novel possibility for the use of CPO to improve skin conditions by increasing plasma IGF-1 levels