Thirteen-week repeated dose toxicity study of wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) extract in rats

Wormwood, Artemisia absinthium, is a very bitter plant, and its extract has been used as food additives such as seasonings for food and drinks. A 13-week repeated dose toxicity study of wormwood extract was performed in both sexes of Wistar Hannover (GALAS) rats. Rats were divided into 4 groups consisting of 10 males and 10 females each, and were given water containing 0, 0.125, 0.5, or 2% wormwood extract. All rats had survived at the end of the study, and no changes indicating obvious toxicities that are attributable to the treatment of wormwood extract were observed in the body weights, hematological and serum biochemical examinations, organ weights, and histopathological examinations. Based on the results of the present study, the NOAEL (no-observed-adverse-effect-level) of wormwood extract of Wistar Hannover rats was estimated to be 2% (equivalent to 1.27 g/kg/day in males and 2.06 g/kg/day in females) or more.     

Urinary excretion of sodium and potassium in a screened cohort in Okinawa, Japan.

Information regarding daily intake of sodium (Na) is useful for both normotensive and hypertensive subjects. We measured urinary excretion of sodium (U-Na) and urinary excretion of potassium (U-K) to estimate daily salt intake in a cohort of health screening subjects in Okinawa, Japan. Urine samples were obtained from 2,411 subjects (1,554 men and 857 women) who were examined on a half-day dry-doc at the Okinawa General Health Maintenance Association (OGHMA). Four hundred and one subjects were examined twice, once between September and November in 1997, and once between September and November in 1998. The mean U-Na was 182 mEq/day for men and 176 mEq/day for women. The mean U-K was 54 mEq/day for men and 50 mEq/day for women. U-Na was higher in young men, and U-K was lower in young women. In both men and women, smokers had a significantly lower Na excretion compared to nonsmokers. Subjects treated for hypertension had a significantly lower Na excretion (173 mEq/day) compared to subjects not treated for hypertension (192 mEq/day). Our findings suggest that Na excretion in screened subjects in Okinawa is lower than the national average. Sodium excretion, however, was higher in young men than in elderly subjects, and K excretion was lower in young women than in elderly subjects. Both trends are disadvantageous for controlling hypertension.     

Clinical Variants of Tardive Dyskinesia in Japan

Abstract: Involuntary movement disorders were investigated in a psychiatric hospital in Japan. The prevalence of tardive dyskinesia was 9.9 % and four clinical variants of tardive dyskinesia could be classified. Of the 716 patients, tardive dystonia was identified in 15 cases, tardive akathisia in one, respiratory dyskinesia in two and rabbit syndrome in 17. The existence of tardive forms for acute dystonic reactions and akathisia suggests that any type of acute extrapyramidal symptoms can have a tardive form.     

Epidemiology of CKD in Japan

Concept of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is widely accepted, since it is a risk factor for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and cardiovascular disease. In Japan, the prevalence of ESRD is increasing and is currently more than 2,000 per million populations. More than 40% of incident ESRD is due to diabetes mellitus. The prevalence of a low glomerular filtration rate (GFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2) is estimated to be 10% of the adult population. Studies based on several community-based screening programs suggest that Japan has a higher prevalence of CKD than any other countries. Early detection through urine test for proteinuria and measurement of serum creatinine is strongly recommended. Goal of treatment of CKD is to decrease the incidence of ESRD and cardiovascular disease.     

Gender differences in chronic kidney disease

Women live longer than men. Can this phenomenon be explained by chronic kidney disease (CKD)? Gender differences in the prevalence and incidence of CKD are discussed.