Association of 29C>T polymorphism in the transforming growth factor‐β1 gene with lean body mass in community‐dwelling Japanese population

Aim: Sarcopenia is the significant degenerative loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength associated with aging, and it is one of the components of frailty. We previously reported an association between the 29C>T polymorphism in the transforming growth factor‐β1 gene (rs1800470) and the prevalence of vertebral fractures in subjects with postmenopausal osteoporosis. The association was not attributable to bone mineral density, which suggests that polymorphism influences some aspects of bone quality that affects strength and/or frailty rather than bone strength itself. Thus, we examined the relationship between genetic polymorphism and lean body mass in a Japanese population. Methods: A total of 479 adults comprising 143 men and 336 women, age 23 to 85 years, participated in the present study. Fat‐free mass was measured by dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry, and the relative skeletal muscle index was calculated as the ratio of appendicular (sum of arms and legs) fat‐free mass to the square of height. Results: Total, leg, and appendicular fat‐free mass as well as the relative skeletal muscle index were significantly lower in male subjects with CT/TT genotypes compared to those with CC genotype. Female subjects did not show any genotype‐dependent differences when analyzed as a group, but when those without menstruation (postmenopausal women) were analyzed, arm fat‐free mass was significantly lower in the CT/TT genotypes than in the CC genotype. Conclusions: T allele of the 29C>T polymorphism in the transforming growth factor‐β1 gene might be a risk factor of sarcopenia in a Japanese population. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2012; 12: 292–297.     

The rs1333049 polymorphism on locus 9p21.3 and extreme longevity in Spanish and Japanese cohorts

GeroScience - The rs1333049 (G/C) polymorphism located on chromosome 9p21.3 is a candidate to influence extreme longevity owing to its association with age-related diseases, notably coronary artery...     

GASTRIC CANCER RETROSPECTIVELY INVESTIGATED FOR 9 YEARS AND 6 MONTHS: A CASE OF LINITIS PLASTICA

This report presents a rare case of a patient with gastric cancer whose clinical course with the development of tumor from early cancer type IIc to advanced cancer of linitis plastica was observed for 9.5 years. The cancer remained in early stage for 3 years and 8 months after the patient’s first endoscopy. At 5 years and 10 months after initial endoscopy, the lesion progressed to advanced cancer, and after 6 years and 7 months sclerotic changes in the gastric wall were detected at the lesion site. After 9 years, advanced gastric cancer of linitis plastica was present throughout the stomach. The initial stage of linitis plastica is considered to be early gastric cancer type IIc with histologically undifferentiated cancer cells. It is widely accepted that a period of 6–8 years is required for this type of cancer to develop from carcinogenesis to completion of lesions. The present case is valuable in that development from early gastric cancer type IIc to linitis plastica during approximately 10 years of follow up was clinically observed, and will contribute to knowledge of the natural history of gastric cancer.     

A case report of bladder hernia associated with prostate cancer

We report a case of bladder hernia. A 68-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for the management of prostate cancer. An egg-sized soft mass was palpated at his right inguinal region. Magnetic resonance imaging and cystography revealed that the mass was a bladder hernia. During radical prostatectomy, we had to resect the bladder hernia for safe regional lymphadenectomy. This hernia was the extraperitoneal type. The stage of prostate cancer was pT3b N0 M0. This is the third reported case of inguinal bladder hernia associated with prostate cancer in Japan.     

Women with mitochondrial haplogroup N9a are protected against metabolic syndrome

To identify mitochondrial haplogroups that confer resistance against or susceptibility to metabolic syndrome, we performed a large-scale association study on 1,337 unrelated Japanese individuals, including 871 subjects with metabolic syndrome and 466 control subjects. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed according to modified National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines, using the cutoff point for obesity as a BMI of >/=25 kg/m(2) instead of waist circumference. The genotypes for 25 polymorphisms in the coding region of the mitochondrial genome were determined, and the haplotypes were classified into 10 major haplogroups, i.e., F, B, A, N9a, M7a, M7b, G1, G2, D5, and D4. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the haplogroup N9a was significantly associated with resistance against metabolic syndrome in women with an odds ratio (OR) of 0.21 (95% CI 0.07-0.58, P = 0.0042). Women with haplogroups G1 and D5 tended to be resistant against metabolic syndrome with an OR of 0.22 (0.06-0.68, P = 0.0129) for G1 and with an OR of 0.32 (0.10-0.96, P = 0.0469) for D5, respectively. These results indicate that mitochondrial haplogroup N9a may be a protective factor against metabolic syndrome in Japanese women.     

Changes in thioredoxin concentrations: an observation in an ultra-marathon race

Objectives

Changes in plasma thioredoxin (TRX) concentrations before, during, and after a 130-km endurance race were measured with the aim of elucidating the relationship between exercise and oxidative stress (OS).

Methods

Blood samples were taken from 18 runners participating in a 2-day-long 130-km ultra-marathon during the 2 days of the race and for 1 week thereafter. There were six sampling time points: at baseline, after the goal had been reached on the first and second day of the endurance race, respectively, and on 1, 3, and 5/6 days post-endurance race. The samples were analyzed for plasma TRX concentrations, platelet count, and blood lipid profiles.

Results

Concentrations of plasma TRX increased from 17.9 ± 1.2 ng/mL (mean ± standard error of the mean) at baseline to 57.3 ± 5.0 ng/mL after the first day’s goal had been reached and to 70.1 ± 6.9 ng/mL after the second day's goal had been reached; it then returned to the baseline level 1 day after the race. Platelet counts of 21.3 ± 1.2 × 10⁴ cell/μL at baseline increased to 23.9 ± 1.5 × 10⁴ cells/μL on Day 1 and to 26.1 ± 1.0 × 10⁴ cells/μL on Day 2. On Day 7, the platelet counts had fallen to 22.1 ± 1.2 × 10⁴ cell/μL. There was a significant positive correlation between plasma TRX and platelet count.

Conclusions

These data suggest that plasma TRX is an OS marker during physical exercise. Further studies are needed to determine the appropriate level of exercise for the promotion of health.     

Changes of tryptophan metabolism in Japanese runners during an ultra-marathon race

Purpose

Under the assumption that tryptophan (TRP) metabolism may be modulated by the intensity, duration, and total exercise/energy expenditure of the ultra-marathon, we evaluated the changes in two major TRP metabolic pathway substances [serotonin (5-HT) and kynurenine (KYN)] during a two-day ultra-marathon race.

Methods

Blood was sampled at three different time points: before the race (baseline), after running 45 km on the first day, and after running 135 km on the second day.

Results

Serum TRP concentrations decreased in proportion to the distance covered, and the levels after running 135 km were significantly lower than at baseline and after running 45 km. Serum serotonin (5-HT) concentrations increased significantly after running 45 km but reduced towards baseline levels after running 135 km. Serum kynurenine (KYN) concentrations hardly changed after running 45 km but increased significantly after running 135 km compared with after running 45 km values. Serum FFAs levels increased significantly after running 45 km compared with baseline values, and they elevated even further after running 135 km. Serum albumin concentrations reduced significantly after running 45 km but remained at almost the same level after running 135 km. Serum 5-HT levels tended to be consistently correlated to the completion times on the first and second days.

Conclusions

Serum 5-HT concentrations are known to be associated with central fatigue, and may predict exercise performance. KYN levels appeared to reflect the intensity of physical exercise, and its pathway may play a role in reactive oxygen species scavenging systems during a long-duration exercise.