Biomedical subjects

Fujiko Ando

Publications and source records attributed to Fujiko Ando.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2004

Association of a polymorphism of the matrix metalloproteinase-9 gene with bone mineral density in Japanese men.

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is implicated in bone remodeling. A - 1562C--> T polymorphism in the promoter of the MMP-9 gene (MMP9) has been shown to influence gene transcription. The possible relation of this polymorphism to bone mineral density (BMD) was examined in 1,114 Japanese men and 1,087 women. BMD for the total body, lumbar spine, femoral neck, trochanter, or Ward's triangle was significantly lower in the combined group of men with the CT or TT genotypes or in men with the CT genotype than in those with the CC genotype. No significant differences in BMD among MMP9 genotypes were observed in premenopausal or postmenopausal women. The -1562C-->T polymorphism of MMP9 was thus associated with BMD in Japanese men.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

PubMed2004

Age differences in the effect of physical activity on depressive symptoms.

This study examined associations between physical activity and depressive symptoms in 1,151 community-dwelling adults in Japan. Physical activity was measured using a pedometer, whereas depressive symptoms were assessed with the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale. A structural equation modeling with a cross-lagged panel design revealed that for the older adults (65-79 years of age), daily walking at baseline predicted fewer depressive symptoms at the 2-year follow-up, even after adjusting for confounders. In contrast, the association was not confirmed for the middle-aged adults (40-64 years of age). Findings suggest that age should be considered when estimating the effect of physical activity on psychological well-being.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Association of cholecystokinin 1 receptor and beta3-adrenergic receptor polymorphisms with midlife weight gain.

We investigated the relationship of polymorphisms in the cholecystokinin 1 receptor [CCK1R; G to T (n-128), A to G (n-81)] and the beta3-adrenergic receptor (beta3-AR; Trp64Arg) with midlife weight gain. The participants were 1012 Japanese men and women (40 to 59 years of age). Their weight at 18 years old was obtained from a questionnaire. Weight change was defined as the current weight minus the weight at 18 years old. Subjects were grouped into four categories by these genotypes: W/W=noncarriers, W/H=Arg64 carriers of the beta3-AR, H/W=T (n-128) or G (n-81) carriers of the CCK1R, H/H=T (n-128) or G (n-81) and Arg64 carriers. In men, the interaction between the CCK1R and beta3-AR polymorphisms was significant (two-way ANOVA, p < 0.05), but neither the CCK1R nor the beta3-AR was individually associated with weight gain. The H/H group showed a higher possibility of weight gain of 10 kg or more compared with the W/W group in men. The odds ratio for weight gain (> or =10 kg) of H/H was 2.54 (95% confidence interval: 1.50 to 4.30) compared with W/W. In women, neither main effect nor interaction was significant. These results suggest that the combination of CCK1R and the beta3-AR polymorphisms is a contributing factor for midlife weight gain in men.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

The relationship between intraocular pressure and refractive error adjusting for age and central corneal thickness.

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between intraocular pressure (IOP) and refractive errors after adjusting for age, central corneal thickness (CCT), and other related factors. METHODS: IOP, CCT and refractive errors were measured in the right eyes of 1855 subjects, aged 40-82 years, in a cross-sectional study design. Subjects were divided into groups by refractive status: hyperopia, emmetropia, mild myopia, moderate myopia, or high myopia. With adjustments for age, CCT, blood pressure, obesity, education, hypertension, diabetes, and smoking status, IOP was estimated for each refractive status using a general linear model. RESULTS: IOP increased with advancing degrees of myopia, even after adjustment for age, CCT, and other related factors (p = 0.011). Estimated IOP of moderate myopia was significantly higher than that of emmetropia (p = 0.022). CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm the positive association between IOP and increasing degrees of myopia. This finding would support the hypothesis that the relationship between glaucoma and myopia might be pressure mediated.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

The impact of health problems on depression and activities in middle-aged and older adults: age and social interactions as moderators.

In this study, we compared the impact of health problems (HPs) on everyday activities and depressive symptoms between middle-aged and older adults. We also examined what type and source of social interactions moderate the noxious effects of HPs. Longitudinal analyses of data with 1,802 Japanese community-dwelling adults indicated that HPs were significantly related to (a) an increase in depressive symptoms among middle-aged adults and (b) a decline in everyday activities among older adults. The former was buffered by emotional family support, whereas the latter (b) was buffered by instrumental family support and, surprisingly, by negative interactions with family. In contrast, social interactions with other friends and acquaintances did not show any moderating effect.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2004

[Strategies to reduce bed-ridden or house-bound elderly people in Japan].

Preventive medicine is supposed to be important for reducing bed-ridden ('netakiri', in Japanese) or frail elderly people. Previous studies showed that only about 30% of the bed-ridden elderly had decreased their ADL levels directly due to diseases, such as cerebrovascular disease or hip fracture. One of the other important causes of 'Netakiri' is disused syndrome. A few weeks after staying in bed, not only muscle power but also bone mineral density and intellectual interest often decrease in the elderly. Rehabilitation in daily life is expected to prevent disused syndrome. House-bound ('tojikomori', in Japanese) is supposed to be another cause of reduction of ADL. There are miscellaneous causes of tojikomori. Aging is one of the most important factors, but cannot be modified. Physical, mental, social or environmental factors are also important. Participation in social activity, improvement of intellectual interest and habitual physical excise, as well as prevention of diseases, is expected to be useful for preventing 'tojikomori' and 'netakiri' in the elderly.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2004

[Age and gender differences as factors related to depressive symptoms among community-dwelling middle-aged and elderly people].

This study was conducted to identify factors associated with depressive symptoms among males and females in two age groups; the middle-aged (40-59 years) and elderly (60-79 years). Subjects were 2211 community-dwelling people (1115 males and 1096 females). Depressive symptoms were estimated by Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Marital status, self-rated health, activities of daily living, age awareness, locus of control, and social support were assessed using self-administered questionnaires and interviews. In all groups, poor subjective health and external locus of control showed significant positive association with depressive symptoms. Age awareness was associated with depressive symptoms in female groups. Impairment of instrumental activities of daily living and lower social support were associated with depressive symptoms in the elderly groups. The findings suggested that there might be age and gender differences in the impact of factors associated with depressive symptoms.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2003

Association of a polymorphism of the dopamine receptor D4 gene with bone mineral density in Japanese men.

A -521C-->T polymorphism in the promoter of the dopamine receptor D4 gene (DRD4) has been associated with novelty-seeking behavior in Japanese. Given that the dopaminergic system might also play an important role in bone metabolism, the relation of the -521C-->T polymorphism of DRD4 to bone mineral density (BMD) was examined in 2,228 Japanese subjects (1,123 men; 1,105 women) who were randomly recruited to a population-based, prospective cohort study. BMD at the radius was measured by peripheral quantitative computed tomography, and that for the total body, lumbar spine, right femoral neck, right trochanter, and right Ward's triangle was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Genotype was determined with a fluorescence-based allele-specific DNA primer assay system. For men, BMD for the distal radius, total body, lumbar spine, trochanter, or Ward's triangle was lower in individuals with the CC genotype than in the combined group of TT and TC genotypes or in those with the TT genotype or with the TC genotype. The urinary concentration of deoxypyridinoline was slightly, but significantly, greater in men with the CC genotype than in those with the TT or TC genotypes or with the TT genotype. For women, there were no differences in BMD among -521C-->T genotypes. These results implicate DRD4 as a candidate locus for reduced BMD in Japanese men.

Alleles↗

PubMed2003

Dietary magnesium intake and the future risk of coronary heart disease (the Honolulu Heart Program).

Magnesium (Mg) deficiency is believed to have adverse cardiovascular consequences that are broad and complex, although an association between dietary Mg intake and the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) has not been clearly identified. The purpose of this study is to examine the relation between dietary Mg intake and future risk of CHD. Reported findings are based on dietary Mg intake in 7,172 men in the Honolulu Heart Program. Intake of Mg was recorded at baseline examinations that took place from 1965 to 1968 when the men were aged 45 to 68 years. In 30 years of follow-up, 1,431 incident cases of CHD were identified. Within 15 years after dietary assessment, the age-adjusted incidence decreased significantly from 7.3 to 4.0 per 1,000 person-years in the lowest (50.3 to 186 mg/day) versus highest (340 to 1,183 mg/day) quintiles of Mg intake (p <0.001). When adjustments were made for age and other nutrients (singly or combined), there was a 1.7- to 2.1-fold excess in the risk of CHD in the lowest versus highest quintiles (p <0.001). The excess risk ranged from 1.5- to 1.8-fold after further adjustment for other cardiovascular risk factors (p <0.05). Associations between dietary Mg and coronary events occurring after 15 years of follow-up were modest. We conclude that the intake of dietary Mg is associated with a reduced risk of CHD. Whether increases in dietary Mg intake can alter the future risk of disease warrants further study.

Aged↗

PubMed2003

Association of polymorphisms of paraoxonase 1 and 2 genes, alone or in combination, with bone mineral density in community-dwelling Japanese.

Oxidative stress may affect cellular functions in various pathological conditions, including osteoporosis. Paraoxonase 1 confers antioxidant properties on high-density lipoprotein, with which it is associated, by reducing the accumulation of lipid peroxidation products. We have now examined whether the 584A-->G (Gln192Arg) and 172T-->A (Leu55Met) polymorphisms of the paraoxonase 1 gene and the 959G-->C (Cys311Ser) polymorphism of the paraoxonase 2 gene are associated with bone mineral density (BMD) in community-dwelling Japanese (1,087-1,094 women and 1,112-1,125 men). The subjects were aged 40-79 years and were randomly recruited to a population-based prospective cohort study of aging and age-related diseases. BMD for the lumbar spine and right femoral neck was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Genotypes were determined with a fluorescence- or colorimetry-based allele-specific DNA primer-probe assay system. The 584A-->G and 172T-->A polymorphisms of the paraoxonase 1 gene and the 959G-->C polymorphism of the paraoxonase 2 gene were associated with BMD for the lumbar spine or femoral neck in postmenopausal women, with the 584 GG, 172 TT, and 959 CC genotypes representing risk factors for reduced bone mass. None of these three polymorphisms was associated with BMD in premenopausal women or in men. Our results suggest that the paraoxonase 1 and 2 genes are candidate loci for reduced bone mass in postmenopausal Japanese women.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Genetic deficiency of a mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase increases serum lipid peroxides in community-dwelling females.

Mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) plays a major role in acetaldehyde detoxification. The alcohol sensitivity is associated with a genetic deficiency of ALDH2. We and others have previously reported that such a deficiency influences the risk for late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD), hypertension, and myocardial infarction. Then we tried to find phenotypes to which the ALDH2 polymorphism contributes by conducting several evaluations including biochemical and functional analyses of various tissues in a community-dwelling population. Several serum proteins, lipids, and lipid peroxides (LPO) levels showed differences between the nondefective (ALDH2*1/1) and defective (ALDH2*1/2 and ALDH2*2/2) ALDH2 individuals. However, alcohol-drinking behavior is known to affect these evaluations. Thus, we excluded the effects of alcohol-drinking behavior from the association with the ALDH2-deficient genotype through correction and found that the concentration of LPO was significantly lower in the nondefective ALDH2 females than the defective females. The effect of frequent alcohol-drinking behavior in males seems to override the phenotype of the high serum LPO level. These results indicate that the ALDH2 deficiency may enhance oxidative stress in vivo. Thus, these findings suggest that ALDH2 functions as a protector against oxidative stress and the decrease in protection may influence the onset of AD, hypertension, and myocardial infarction.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Association of the mitochondrial DNA 15497G/A polymorphism with obesity in a middle-aged and elderly Japanese population.

Although polymorphism of the mitochondrial DNA 15497guanine/adenine (Mt15497G-->A) leads to the Gly251Ser amino acid replacement on human cytochrome b, it is unknown whether functional alteration of the mitochondrion is induced by the Gly251Ser replacement. To see if an association exists between the Mt15497G-->A polymorphism and obesity, we examined differences in body size, body composition, and regional body fat distribution between the two genotypes in middle-aged and elderly Japanese individuals (825 women and 906 men). The Mt15497 genotype was determined with an automated colorimetric allele-specific DNA probe assay system using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. The Mt15497G-->A polymorphism was detected in 3.5% ( n=60) of all subjects: 2.8% ( n=23) among women and 4.1% ( n=37) among men. After adjusting for age and smoking, we found that body weight, body mass index, waist and hip circumferences, fat mass, fat-free mass, intra-abdominal fat and triglycerides were significantly greater in women with the A allele compared with the G allele ( p=0.001-0.025). For men, waist to hip ratio was significantly greater ( p=0.032), and waist circumference, intra-abdominal fat and triglycerides had a trend to be significantly greater ( p=0.062-0.087) in subjects with the A allele compared with the G allele. These data suggest that the Mt15497 polymorphism may be associated with obesity-related variables and lipid metabolism.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

PubMed2003

MTHFR gene polymorphism as a risk factor for silent brain infarcts and white matter lesions in the Japanese general population: The NILS-LSA Study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Silent brain infarcts (SBI) and white matter lesions are relatively common neuroimaging findings, especially in the elderly population. The genetic background for SBI and white matter lesions in a large Japanese general population was investigated. METHODS: Subjects were recruited from participants in the National Institute for Longevity Sciences, Longitudinal Study of Aging. Genotyping of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T gene mutation and brain MRI examination were performed in 1721 subjects free of any history of stroke. SBI and white matter lesions were diagnosed from MRI findings. RESULTS: Of 1721 MRI examinations, SBI was observed in 178 (10.3%). The prevalence of SBI and white matter lesions increased with age. The prevalence of SBI was significantly higher in subjects with the MTHFR TT genotype compared with the TC+CC genotype (14.6% versus 9.5%; 42 of 288 versus 136 of 1433; chi2=6.71; P=0.010). The stage of white matter lesions was not significantly different. In subjects >or=60 years of age (n=849), the prevalence of SBI was significantly higher in TT than TC+CC (27.7% versus 16.6%; 36 of 130 versus 119 of 719; chi2=9.16; P=0.002). The prevalence of moderately advanced white matter lesions was also significantly higher in TT than TC+CC (60.7% versus 49.0%; 79 of 130 versus 352 of 719; chi2=9.16; P=0.002). After correction for other risk factors, the MTHFR TT genotype was independently associated with SBI (odds ratio [OR], 1.72; 95% CI, 1.10 to 2.68; P=0.018) and moderately advanced white matter lesions (OR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.07 to 2.33; P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that the MTHFR TT genotype is an independent risk factor for SBI and white matter lesions in the general Japanese population, especially in elderly subjects.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Association of polymorphisms of the osteoprotegerin gene with bone mineral density in Japanese women but not men.

Given that osteoprotegerin plays an important role in bone remodeling, the osteoprotegerin gene may be a candidate locus for susceptibility to osteoporosis. The relation of polymorphisms in the promoter of the osteoprotegerin gene to bone mineral density (BMD) was examined in a Japanese population-based prospective cohort study with randomly recruited subjects (1095 women and 1125 men for the 950T --> C polymorphism, 1094 women and 1127 men for the 245T --> G polymorphism). BMD at the radius was measured by peripheral quantitative computed tomography, and that for the total body, lumbar spine, right femoral neck, right trochanter, and right Ward's triangle was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Genotypes were determined with a fluorescence-based allele-specific DNA primer assay system. Among 950T --> C genotypes, BMD for the proximal radius was lower in premenopausal women with the CC genotype than in those with the TT or TC genotype; the difference in BMD between the two groups was 3.9% (P=0.0075). Among 245T --> G genotypes, BMD for the radius, total body, femoral neck, trochanter, and Ward's triangle was lower in postmenopausal women with the GG genotype than in those with the TT or TG genotype, the TT genotype, or the TG genotype; the differences in BMD between the GG genotype and the TT or TG genotype were 19.8% for the distal radius (P=0.0015), 13.1% for the proximal radius (P=0.0095), 11.2% for the total body (P=0.0013), 12.9% for the femoral neck (P=0.0067), 18.7% for the trochanter (P=0.0008), and 27.1% for Ward's triangle (P=0.0038). BMD was not associated with the 950T --> C or 245T --> G genotypes in men. The present results implicate the osteoprotegerin gene as a susceptibility locus for reduced BMD in Japanese women.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

PubMed2003

Prevalence of self-perceived auditory problems and their relation to audiometric thresholds in a middle-aged to elderly population.

OBJECTIVE: Hearing loss has been identified as one of the most frequent conditions affecting the elderly population. The purpose of this study was to provide estimates of the prevalence of self-perceived hearing problems in a middle-aged to elderly general population and to make a comparison among generations and between genders regarding the relationship between audiometric measurements and hearing problems. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted using a population-based sample of 2150 adults, aged 40-79 years, who participated in the Longitudinal Study of Aging conducted by the National Institute for Longevity Sciences between 1997 and 2000. A questionnaire on hearing problems was administered and pure-tone audiometry was conducted. RESULTS: A third of subjects in their 40s and half of the subjects aged > 60 years were aware of having difficulty hearing. The audiometric thresholds in both the better and worse ears were associated with self-perceived hearing difficulty in all age groups. Statistically significant age and gender differences were observed in each respondent group. The older group tended to underestimate their hearing difficulty in comparison with the younger group, and males tended to underestimate their hearing difficulty more than females. CONCLUSION: These results may contribute to the development of an intervention strategy for auditory rehabilitation for the middle-aged and elderly populations.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Association of polymorphisms of interleukin-6, osteocalcin, and vitamin D receptor genes, alone or in combination, with bone mineral density in community-dwelling Japanese women and men.

We examined whether the -634C-->G, 298C-->T, and 2C-->T polymorphisms of the IL-6, osteocalcin, and vitamin D receptor (VDR) genes, respectively, were associated, alone or in combination, with bone mineral density (BMD) in community-dwelling Japanese women (between 1108 and 1113) or men (between 1116 and 1130) aged 40-79 yr. The -634C-->G polymorphism of the IL-6 gene and the 298C-->T polymorphism of the osteocalcin gene were associated with BMD in postmenopausal women, with the respective GG and TT genotypes representing risk factors for reduced bone mass. IL-6 and osteocalcin genotypes showed additive effects on BMD for postmenopausal women. The 2C-->T polymorphism of the VDR gene was associated with BMD in men, with the CT genotype contributing to reduced BMD. These results suggest that the IL-6 and osteocalcin genes are susceptibility loci for reduced BMD in postmenopausal women and that the VDR gene constitutes such a locus in men. The combined IL-6 and osteocalcin genotypes may prove informative for the assessment of osteoporosis in women.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Relationships of resting energy expenditure with body fat distribution and abdominal fatness in Japanese population.

Body fat distribution and abdominal fatness are indicators of risks for coronary heart disease. However, the relationships between resting energy expenditure (REE) and the body fat distribution or the abdominal fatness are unclear. We examined the relationships of REE with whole-body fat distribution (waist, hip and waist-to-hip ratio: WHR) and abdominal fatness (intra-abdominal fat: IF and subcutaneous fat: SF) after adjustment for body composition. 451 men and 471 women were subdivided into two groups, 40-59 years: middle-aged group and 60-79 years: elderly group. REE was measured by an indirect calorimetry system. Percentage of fat mass (%FM), fat mass (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM) were assessed by a dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry method. The IF area (IFA) and SF area (SFA) at the level of the umbilicus were measured using computed tomography. Circumference of waist and hip were measured in a standing position. The WHR, waist circumference and SFA did not significantly (p>0.05) associate with the REE after adjusting for FM, FFM and age in any of the groups. The adjusted REE was significantly and inversely correlated with hip (r=-0.159, p<0.05) and IFA (r=-0.131, p<0.05) in the elderly men. These results suggest that lower REE may contribute to greater hip and IFA rather than WHR and waist in elderly men.

Abdomen↗

PubMed2003

[A new strategy of aging and geriatric epidemiology in Japan].

Global trends of increases in the aging population will continue in the 21st century, and geriatric medicine will be a most important field of medicine. Increase in the aging population naturally causes increases in numbers of patients with geriatric disease. Geriatric diseases are often chronic, slowly progressive, and hard to cure. Medical care expenses for the patients will expand dramatically. Therefore, the most important key for future geriatric medicine is prevention. For prevention, detailed data on normal aging process are required. At the National Institute for Longevity Sciences (NILS), a comprehensive longitudinal study of aging, the NILS-Longitudinal Study of Aging (NILS-LSA) started in November 1997. The subjects of this study were about 2,300 residents aged 40 to 79 years who were stratified random samples selected from the neighborhood area of the NILS. They are examined every two years at the NILS-LSA Examination Center. The third wave of examinations started in 2002. Examined variables were over 1,000, including clinical evaluations, medical examinations, anthropometry, body composition, physical functions, physical activities, psychological assessments, nutritional analysis and molecular epidemiology.

Adult↗