The single nucleotide polymorphism upstream of insulin-induced gene 2 ( INSIG2) is associated with the prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia, but not with obesity, in Japanese American women

Insulin-induced gene 2 (insig-2) protein is known to play important roles in cholesterol and TAG metabolism both in vivo and in vitro. One particularly interesting single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), rs7566605, located 10 kb upstream of INSIG2 was reported to have the strongest association with obesity among 86 604 SNP, while the relationship with dyslipidaemia is uncertain. Eight hundred and eighty-five Japanese Americans (347 men and 538 women) and 378 Japanese (182 men and 196 women) were enrolled, and the rs7566605 SNP, which is consistent with either G or C, was determined. We investigated the association between the rs7566605 SNP and the prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia or hypertriacylglycerolaemia, or obesity parameters, as assessed by BMI, waist girth and percentage body fat. There were no significant differences in BMI, waist girth and percentage body fat according to the genotype in each of the four groups, which was divided by population and sex. The prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia was significantly different between the genotypes in Japanese American female subjects (GG, 62.2 %; GC, 57.1 %; CC, 42.1 %; P = 0.021), but not in the other subjects. In Japanese American women, the subjects with the CC genotype had a 0.43-fold decreased risk (95 % CI 0.24, 0.80) for hypercholesterolaemia compared with the GG genotype after adjustment for age, percentage body fat, smoking status and hormone replacement therapy. The CC genotype of the rs7566605 SNP is suggested to be a protective genetic factor against the progression of hypercholesterolaemia on a high-fat diet, especially in Japanese female subjects.     

Gum-chewing stimulates bowel motility after surgery for colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND/AIMS: During the perioperative period after open colorectal surgery, surgical stress affects changes in the autonomic nervous system of patients. The decreased intestinal motility results in many complaints for patients. To resolve this problem, the usefulness of gum-chewing for improving the motility was examined. METHODOLOGY: Twenty-two patients with colorectal cancer were divided into two groups; gum-chewing and control groups. From after their operation, chewing gum was given to the former group three times a day. RESULTS: The first passage of flatus and stool in the chewing-gum group after operation were 35 and 50 hours, respectively, sooner for the controls. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that gum-chewing provides a simple and effective method to improve the postoperative state of patients.     

Second-line combination chemotherapy of oral S-1 with cisplatin and irinotecan for colorectal cancer resistant to 5-FU

BACKGROUND/AIMS: A phase I clinical trial has been planned to determine the recommended dose and to assess the safety and efficacy of combination chemotherapy of S-1 with cisplatin and irinotecan (SCI regimen) as a second-line treatment in 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) resistant colorectal cancer (CRC). METHODOLOGY: Patients with unresectable recurrent or metastatic CRC were enrolled in this study for second-line treatment. On an outpatient basis, the patients received a treatment SCI regimen comprising S-1 oral administration for 28 days followed by withdrawal for 2 weeks, plus cisplatin and irinotecan were administered on days 1, 8, 15 and 22 by intravenous injection. These courses were repeated every 6 weeks. Starting doses were 70 mg/m2 S-1, 6 mg/m2 Cisplatin, and 60 mg/m2 Irinotecan. RESULTS: A total of 29 patients was enrolled. Dose-limiting toxicities were fatigue, nausea, and leucopenia. Twenty-three patients at recommended dose were evaluable for treatment response. The response rate was 21.7% (5 partial responses, 13 stable diseases, and 5 progressive diseases). The median progression-free survival rate was 4.3 months; the median survival time was 9.6 months. CONCLUSIONS: The SCI regimen is feasible in an outpatient setting and should be considered as second-line chemotherapy for patients with 5-FU resistant CRC.