Biomedical subjects

Masato Ikeda

Publications and source records attributed to Masato Ikeda.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed2003

Plasma concentrations of (n-3) highly unsaturated fatty acids are good biomarkers of relative dietary fatty acid intakes: a cross-sectional study.

A cross-sectional study was conducted to clarify the associations of lifestyle factors (habitual exercise, alcohol intake and smoking habit) and plasma fatty acid (FA) concentrations as biomarkers of dietary FA intakes. We collected 7-d weighed diet records, lifestyle information and blood samples from 15 male and 79 female Japanese dietitians, and estimated dietary FA intakes and analyzed plasma FA concentrations. Plasma concentrations of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and (n-3) highly unsaturated FA (HUFA) derived from marine foods, but not linoleic and alpha-linolenic acid from plant origins, demonstrated positive correlations with dietary intakes (r = 0.303-0.602, P < 0.05) in both genders. Multiple linear regression analyses adjusted for age, BMI, total energy intake, fat (or respective FA) consumption and lifestyle factors showed that dietary intakes of EPA, DHA and (n-3) HUFA were positively associated with age in men (P < 0.05) and negatively associated with BMI in women [P < 0.01 for DHA and (n-3) HUFA]. The plasma concentrations of EPA, DHA and (n-3) HUFA in women were found to be positively associated with age and marine oil (or respective FA) intake (P < 0.01), and negatively associated with total energy intake [P < 0.05 for EPA and (n-3) HUFA]. Lifestyle factors were not associated with dietary FA intakes and plasma FA concentrations. These findings suggest that the plasma concentrations of EPA, DHA and (n-3) HUFA might be useful biomarkers for the assessment of relative FA intakes without considering associations with habitual exercise, alcohol intake and smoking habit.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Surgical verification of percutaneous maxacalcitol injection therapy on enlarged parathyroid glands in chronic dialysis patients.

Selective percutaneous ethanol injection therapy (PEIT) has been used to control parathyroid function in patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism (2HPT) when one or more parathyroid gland (PTG) progresses to the nodular hyperplasia stage. However, PEIT can have adverse side effects, such as nerve paralysis and adhesion, because the ethanol is destructive. Intraparathyroid injection of a vitamin D analogue has been designed as a treatment to control parathyroid function without destruction of the PTG or causing adhesions to the surrounding tissue, and the present study aimed to verify the effect of percutaneous maxacalcitol (22-oxacalcitriol) as the vitamin D analogue. The study group comprised two haemodialysis patients who needed parathyroidectomy for uncontrolled 2HPT with a maximal PTG diameter >20 mm. The treatment began with an ultrasonographically guided injection of 10 microg of maxacalcitol solution into the largest PTG and, 1 week later, parathyroidectomy was performed to examine the effect of the maxacalcitol injection both macroscopically and microscopically. The injected glands were swollen and inflamed, and adhesions made it difficult to remove them. There was macroscopic and microscopic evidence of haemorrhagic necrosis and adhesions to the surrounding tissue. Direct vitamin D analogue injection should not be performed as a primary treatment option because the adverse side effects are not overcome by this technique.

Calcitriol↗

PubMed2003

Itchy, a Nedd4 ubiquitin ligase, downregulates latent membrane protein 2A activity in B-cell signaling.

Nedd4 family ubiquitin protein ligases (E3s) specifically associate with latent membrane protein 2A (LMP2A) of Epstein-Barr virus. Our previous studies analyzing LMP2A function in vitro have suggested that Nedd4 family E3s regulate LMP2A function. To determine the role of Nedd4 family E3s in LMP2A B-cell signaling, LMP2A transgenic (LMP2A(+)) mice were crossed with mice with the Itch-deficient (Itch(-/-)) background. Itchy, a mouse homologue of human AIP4, is a Nedd4 family E3 and is also the most abundant Nedd4 family E3 found in LMP2A affinity precipitates from B cells. There were significantly fewer B-cell receptor-positive B cells in spleen and bone marrow B cells in LMP2A(+) Itch(-/-) mice than in LMP2A(+) mice. In addition, LMP2A(+) Itch(-/-) bone marrow B cells formed larger colonies in cultures treated with interleukin-7 (IL-7) than control bone marrow B cells did. Finally, there was a dramatic increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of LMP2A and Syk in IL-7-cultured LMP2A(+) Itch(-/-) B cells. These results indicate that Nedd4 family E3s, in particular Itchy, downmodulate LMP2A activity in B-cell signaling.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Allosteric Binding of an Ag+ Ion to Cerium(IV) Bis-porphyrinates Enhances the Rotational Activity of Porphyrin Ligands.

A series of cerium(IV) bis-porphyrinate double-deckers [Ce(bbpp)(2)] (BBPP=5,15-bis(4-butoxyphenyl)porphyrin dianion), [Ce(tmpp)(2)] (TMPP=5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-methoxyphenyl)porphyrin dianion), [Ce(tfpp)(2)] (TFPP=5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-fluorophenyl)porphyrin dianion), [Ce(tmcpp)(2)] (TMCPP=5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-methoxycarbonylphenyl)porphyrin dianion), and [Ce(tmpp)(tmcpp)] was prepared. They bind three Ag(+) ions to their concave porphyrin pi subunits (pi-clefts) according to a positive homotropic allosteric mechanism with Hill coefficients (n(H)) of 1.7-2.7. The rotation rates of the porphyrin ligands in [Ce(bbpp)(2)] were evaluated to be 200 s(-1) at 20 degrees C (DeltaG$\rm{^{\ne }_{293}}$=14.1 kcal mol(-1)) and 220 s(-1) at -40 degrees C (DeltaG$\rm{^{\ne }_{233}}$=11.0 kcal mol(-1)) without and with Ag(+) ions, respectively. These results consistently support our unexpected finding that Ag(+) binding can accelerate rotation of the porphyrin ligand. On the basis of UV-visible, (1)H NMR, and resonance Raman spectral measurements, the rate enhancement of the rotational speed of the porphyrin ligands is attributed to conformational changes of the porphyrin in cerium(IV) bis-porphyrinate induced by binding of Ag(+) guest ions in the clefts. This novel concept of positive homotropic allosterism is applicable to the molecular design of various supramolecular and switch-functionalized systems.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2002

Allosteric binding of an Ag+ ion to cerium(IV) bis-porphyrinates enhances the rotational activity of porphyrin ligands.

A series of cerium(IV) bisporphyrinate double-deckers [Ce(bbpp)2] (BBPP = 5,15-bis(4-butoxyphenyl) porphyrin dianion), [Ce(tmpp)2] (TMPP = 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-methoxyphenyl)-porphyrin dianion), [Ce(tfpp)2] (TFPP = 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-fluorophenyl)porphyrin dianion), [Ce(tmcpp)2] (TMCPP = 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-methoxycarbonylphenyl)porphyrin dianion), and [Ce(tmpp)(tmcpp)] was prepared. They bind three Ag+ ions to their concave porphyrin pi subunits (pi-clefts) according to a positive homotropic allosteric mechanism with Hill coefficients (nH) of 1.7-2.7. The rotation rates of the porphyrin ligands in [Ce(bbpp)2] were evaluated to be 200 s-1 at 20 degrees C (delta G++293 = 14.1 kcal mol-1) and 220 s-1 at -40 degrees C (delta G++233 = 11.0 kcal mol-1) without and with Ag+ ions, respectively. These results consistently support our unexpected finding that Ag+ binding can accelerate rotation of the porphyrin ligand. On the basis of UV-visible, 1H NMR, and resonance Raman spectral measurements, the rate enhancement of the rotational speed of the porphyrin ligands is attributed to conformational changes of the porphyrin in cerium(IV) bis-porphyrinate induced by binding of Ag+ guest ions in the clefts. This novel concept of positive homotropic allosterism is applicable to the molecular design of various supramolecular and switch-functionalized systems.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2002

Lysine-independent ubiquitination of Epstein-Barr virus LMP2A.

Latent membrane protein 2A (LMP2A) of latent Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) specifically associates with HECT domain-containing Nedd4-family ubiquitin-protein ligases (E3s). Here we demonstrate that LMP2A is specifically ubiquitinated by the HECT domains of AIP4 and WWP2. Deletion and site-specific mutation of LMP2A indicates that LMP2A is ubiquitinated at its amino-terminus and is not ubiquitinated on lysine residues. LMP2A and LMP1, also encoded by EBV, are two of only four proteins that have been identified that are ubiquitinated at the amino-terminus, indicating that EBV may specifically target and utilize this host cell protein modification.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Cooperative C(60) binding to a porphyrin tetramer arranged around a p-terphenyl axis in 1:2 host-guest stoichiometry.

[structure: see text] Porphyrin tetramer 1 was newly designed and synthesized to construct a novel cooperative [60]fullerene (C(60)) binding system. Compound 1 has a p-terphenyl axis, which is expected to act as a scaffold for a guest-binding information transducer. In toluene, 1 can bind 2 equiv of C(60) to produce a 1:2 1/C(60) complex with association constants of 5800 M(-1) (K(1)) and 2000 M(-1) (K(2)). These values are significantly greater than those for control porphyrin dimers such as 2 and 3.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2002

Restoration of ethanol-compromised T(h)1 responses by sodium orthovanadate.

Alcohol consumption often diminishes antigen-specific cell-mediated immunity. In alcohol-consuming mice IFN-gamma and delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses are blunted, although antigen-specific T cell proliferation and IL-2 responses are largely unaffected, suggesting that alcohol differentially affects signal transduction pathways. In the present report we explore the use of the phosphatase inhibitor, Na3 VO4 to restore IFN-gamma secretion in the presence of ethanol both in vivo and in vitro. We show that Na3 VO4 restores IFN-gamma in vitro and antigen-specific DTH in vivo to the levels seen in alcohol non-consuming mice. Our data support the contention that ethanol, by up-regulating phosphotyrosine phosphatase, diminishes the IFN-gamma signal transduction pathway.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

PubMed2002

Transcriptome analysis of acetate metabolism in Corynebacterium glutamicum using a newly developed metabolic array.

Following the determination of the whole-genome sequence of Corynebacterium glutamicum, we have developed a DNA array to extensively investigate gene expression and regulation relevant to carbon metabolism. For this purpose, a total of 120 C. glutamicum genes, including those in central metabolism and amino acid biosyntheses, were amplified by PCR and printed onto glass slides. The resulting array, designated a "metabolic array", was used for hybridization with fluorescently labeled cDNA probes generated by reverse transcription from total RNA samples. As the first demonstration of transcriptome analysis in this industrially important microorganism, we applied the metabolic array to study differential transcription profiles between cells grown on glucose and on acetate as the sole carbon source. The changes in gene expression observed for the known acetate-regulated genes (aceA, aceB, pta, and ack) were well consistent with the literature data of northern analyses and enzyme assays, indicating the utility of the metabolic array in transcriptome analysis of C. glutamicum. In addition to the known responses, many previously unrecognized co-regulated genes were identified. For example, several TCA cycle genes, such as gltA, sdhA, sdhB, fumH, and mdh, and the gluconeogenic gene pck were up-regulated in the acetate medium. On the other hand, a few genes involved in glycolysis and the pentose phosphate pathway, as well as many amino acid biosynthetic genes, were down-regulated in acetate. Furthermore, two gap genes, gapA and gapB, were found to be inversely regulated, suggesting the presence of a new regulatory step for carbon metabolism between glycolysis and gluconeogenesis.

Acetates↗

PubMed2002

Reproducibility of a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire in Japanese female dietitians.

OBJECTIVE: To examine reproducibility of assessed intake of foods and nutrients according to a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (SQFFQ) in Japanese female dietitians. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: An SQFFQ was self-administered to 106 (21 male and 85 female) Japanese dietitians in Aichi prefecture in autumn 1996 and the same questionnaire was repeated in autumn 1997. Reproducibility was evaluated in terms of consumption of 15 foods and energy and 30 macro- and micro-nutrients based on the SQFFQ from 84 Japanese female dietitians. RESULTS: For intake of foods, Pearson's correlation coefficients (CCs) with log-transformation and energy adjustment (minimum-median-maximum) ranged from 0.35 (beverages)-0.61-0.71 (dairy products). ANOVA intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) with log-transformation and energy adjustment ranged from 0.49 (beverages)-0.74-0.82 (dairy products). Spearman's rank CCs with energy adjustment ranged from 0.43 (confectionery)-0.57-0.76 (dairy products). Weighted kappa statistics with energy adjustment ranged from 0.34 (confectionery)-0.49-0.71 (dairy products). For consumption of nutrients, Pearson's CCs with log-transformation and energy adjustment ranged from 0.23 (zinc)-0.55-0.74 (insoluble dietary fiber). ANOVA ICCs with log-transformation and energy adjustment ranged from 0.37 (zinc)-0.70-0.84 (insoluble dietary fiber). Spearman's rank CCs with energy adjustment ranged from 0.25 (zinc)-0.56-0.74 (magnesium). Weighted kappa statistics with energy adjustment ranged from 0.25 (zinc)-0.50-0.68 (insoluble dietary fiber). CONCLUSIONS: Substantially high reproducibility of consumption of foods and nutrients was attained from an SOFFQ self-administered to Japanese female dietitians.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed2002

Daily, weekly, seasonal, within- and between-individual variation in nutrient intake according to four season consecutive 7 day weighed diet records in Japanese female dietitians.

OBJECTIVE: To study daily, weekly, seasonal, within- and between-individual variance in intake of selected nutrients and minimal days necessary for assessing true intake with a specified degree of error based on four season consecutive 7 day weighed diet records (WDRs). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We evaluated consumption of energy and 30 nutrients based on four season consecutive 7 day WDRs from 80 Japanese female dietitians in 1996-1997. We examined daily, weekly, seasonal, within- and between-individual variation in nutrient intake, relative contributions of their variances to total variance, and minimal days required to estimate a person's nutrient intake within 10% and 20% of their true mean with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: The relative contributions of variation for all nutrients by person were larger than those by day, week and season. Within-individual variances were greater than the between-individual variances. The ratios of within- vs. between-individual variances thus ranged from 1.3-26.9. Minimal days necessary for estimating nutrient consumption per person within 10% (20%) of the true mean with 95% confidence intervals ranged from 10-35 (3-9) days for energy and major nutrients and 15-640 (4-160) days for micro-nutrients. CONCLUSIONS: The relative contributions of variability by person were largest for all nutrients, followed by those due to sequence of days, season and day of week. Within-individual variation was greater than between-individual variation. Minimal days necessary for ascertaining major nutrients were in general fewer than micro-nutrients.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

[Long-standing high-transport membrane as a risk factor for EPS development after PD withdrawal: an analysis based on changes in peritoneal function during and after CAPD withdrawal].

The pathophysiology of encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS) that develops after withdrawal from long-standing dependence on CAPD remains unclear. The aim of this study was to clarify the risk factors for EPS as expressed in the peritoneal function. Fourteen patients who had shifted to standard hemodialysis after long-term CAPD (average, 105 months) were studied: 3 developed EPS after PD withdrawal while 11 did not. Analysis of the data obtained from the peritoneal equilibration test (PET) revealed that: (1) the dialysate/plasma creatinine ratio (D/Pcr) was significantly higher in the EPS group than in the non-EPS group during the course of PD as well as after PD withdrawal; and (2) eight patients, including the 3 with EPS, were classified as being in a high-transport membrane state (HTS) at PD withdrawal. The duration of HTS during PD was longer in those patients with EPS. During the periods after PD withdrawal, none of these EPS patients recovered from HTS, whereas 4 of the 5 non-EPS patients did. These data suggest that long-standing HTS during the course of PD as well as post-withdrawal, may be risk factors for EPS development. For this reason, it is indicated that PET has clinical relevance in examining sequential changes in peritoneal function and in detecting those patients at risk of EPS.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

High-transport membrane is a risk factor for encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis developing after long-term continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis treatment.

Increased peritoneal function has been suggested to be a risk factor for developing encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS); however, clinical evidence is scarce. The present study aimed to clarify the specific character of peritoneal function in patients who developed EPS after withdrawal from peritoneal dialysis (PD). We studied 12 patients who developed EPS after PD withdrawal [(EPS group) mean PD duration: 109 months; mean period of EPS development: 7.0 months after withdrawal] and 128 patients who did not develop EPS (non EPS group). All 140 patients were withdrawn from continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and were observed for the following 24 months. Based on the records of the annual peritoneal equilibration tests (PETs), we analyzed (1) the patients' dialysate-to-plasma (D/P) creatinine at various durations on PD, and (2) the accumulative appearance incidence of high-transport (HT) state of peritoneal membrane. The mean D/P creatinine in EPS group was significantly higher than that in the non EPS group in the course of PD from the 6th to the 10th year. The accumulative incidence of HT was significantly higher in the EPS group than in the non EPS group, indicating early development of HT membrane in EPS group. Early development of increased D/P creatinine, classified as HT state, was observed during certain periods on PD in patients who developed EPS after PD withdrawal. That finding may indicate that HT state of peritoneal membrane is an early marker for EPS, and that the PET is useful to detect patients at high risk of EPS.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Fifteen cases of encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis related to peritoneal dialysis: a single-center experience in Japan.

To evaluate the incidence and characteristics of encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS), we analyzed 111 patients who had been transferred to hemodialysis and had been periodically monitored using the peritoneal equilibration test. Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis was diagnosed in 11 patients. All patients had high-transport peritoneum, and 10 patients had been treated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) for more than 72 months. Incidence of EPS increased according to prolongation of CAPD. To evaluate outcome, we analyzed 15 cases of EPS. All patients were treated with total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Five patients improved with TPN alone. However, the remaining 10 patients showed deterioration. Of those 10, 4 patients died. They had not been treated with corticosteroids (CSs). The remaining 6 patients were treated with CSs, but they did not improve. Those cases required surgical treatment. The postoperative course in 4 patients was satisfactory, but 2 patients died. In our center, the EPS survival rate was 60%. In patients treated with TPN alone, the remission rate was only 33.3%. Administration of CSs could not improve that rate. In 6 patients treated with surgery, the mortality rate was 33.3%. When EPS symptoms are not ameliorated by CS and TPN, surgical treatment should be considered. To prevent EPS, high-risk patients who have more than 72 months on CAPD and who have a high-transport peritoneum should discontinue CAPD.

Biological Transport↗

PubMed2002

Risk factors and preventive measures for encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis--Jikei experience 2002.

A growing incidence of encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS) has been reported recently in Japan, and it is now urgent to establish preventive measures against EPS development. In the present paper, we describe our observational results regarding the risk of EPS development and the characteristic features of patients with EPS, in terms of peritoneal morphology and peritoneal function as determined by peritoneal equilibration test. The ongoing working protocol for EPS prevention at Jikei University Hospital is also discussed. Our findings have revealed that long-term continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) is a risk factor for EPS development after transfer to hemodialysis from peritoneal dialysis (PD), and that, in most patients with EPS, peritoneal function is characterized by a longstanding high-transport state. The striking alterations in peritoneal morphology between patients with EPS and those with simple long-term CAPD hyperplasia include, in EPS patients, a prominent thickening of the collagenous layer of the peritoneum with neoangiogenesis and myofibroblastic transformation. Based on our findings, we established a withdrawal protocol for long-term CAPD patients, with the goal of preventing EPS. Those who have been on PD treatment for more than 72 months with high-transport state are candidates for withdrawal from PD, with performance of peritoneal lavage thereafter for a certain period of time. The clinical benefit of post-PD lavage has not yet been determined; however, the maneuver could be precluded in patients at low risk of EPS, because it was found that some patients can recover to average transport state during the period of PD withdrawal. Patients who remain high transporters with inflammatory reaction might require pharmacologic intervention, including prednisolone therapy. Further observations are required to validate our approach.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

[Effect of angiotensin II receptor antagonist (losartan) on renal function, serum potassium and blood pressure in patients with advanced renal failure: differences between patients with a serum creatinine (SCr) level higher than 3 mg/dl and those with a lower SCr level].

The administration of angiotensin II receptor antagonist(AIIA) to patients with advanced chronic renal failure(CRF) is not actively recommended. This study was performed to verify the appropriateness of this situation and to determine if there are any substantial differences between patients with a serum creatinine(SCr) level higher than 3 mg/dl and those with a lower SCr level in terms of the clinical effects such as renal function, serum potassium level and systemic blood pressure(BP) after the administration of AIIA. Sixteen patients with advanced CRF who were admitted to the out-patient clinic in Jikei University Hospital(1998/1-1999/12) were enrolled(average age: 65 years, underlying renal disease: diabetic nephropathy 6, CGN 5, and other 1). They had never been administered AIIA before. The patients were classified into two groups in accordance with their level of SCr: group A(SCr lower than 3.0 mg/dl; n = 11), and Group B(SCr higher than 3.0 mg/dl; n = 5). Losartan(50 mg/day) administration was started in order to examine parameters such as the SCr, potassium, BP at the out-patient clinic, and urinary protein excretion at the 0, 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 month time points. Although the 1/SCr values provided negative slopes with time in both groups, no significant difference was found between the two slopes. There were no changes in the serum potassium levels or urinary protein excretion during the study period in either group, and no statistical difference was found between the two groups. Although the serum potassium level exceeded 5.5 mEq/l in two patients each in both groups, the level was controlled by diet therapy with restricted potassium. BP was reduced significantly in both groups during the study period, and no statistical difference in BP reduction was observed between the two groups. In conclusion, the results indicate there were no differences in the effect on renal function, serum potassium levels or systemic BP between the patients with a SCr level higher than 3.0 mg/dl and those with a lower level. The results also support the notion that patients with advanced renal dysfunction are not precluded from AIIA administration.

Aged↗

PubMed2001

Signal transduction through the B cell antigen receptor is normal in ataxia-telangiectasia B lymphocytes.

The rare human genetic disorder ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T) has multiple consequences including a variable degree of immunodeficiency. Khanna and co-workers (Khanna, K. K., Yan, J., Watters, D., Hobson, K., Beamish, H., Spring, K., Shiloh, Y., Gatti, R. A., and Lavin, M. F. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272, 9489-9495) evaluated signaling in Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) immortalized A-T lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs), derived from the B cells of A-T patients. They showed that A-T lymphoblastoid cells lack signaling through the B cell antigen receptor and concluded that the fault in A-T encompasses intracellular signaling in B cells. However, it is established that EBV latent membrane protein 2A (LMP2A) blocks signaling in EBV-bearing cells by interaction with cellular tyrosine kinases. To test whether the reported fault in A-T B cells was not inherent in A-T but the result of influence of wild-type EBV, we derived A-T LCLs with wild-type or LMP2A-deleted EBV and studied signaling in these cells in response to cross-linking the B cell antigen receptor. We report that intracellular calcium mobilization and tyrosine phosphorylation in LMP2A-depleted LCLs derived from A-T patients is indistinguishable from that in LMP2A-depleted LCLs derived from normal controls. Further, signaling is blocked similarly in A-T and normal lymphoblastoid cells bearing wild-type EBV. In conclusion there is no evidence of any defect in B cell receptor signal transduction in A-T B cells.

Ataxia Telangiectasia↗

PubMed2000

Japanese versus Mediterranean Diets and Cancer.

Morbidity and mortality statistics, including incidences of fat-related cancers (FRCs), and dietary intake and sources of fats and oils were compared for Japanese, Mediterranean and American people. Incidences of FRCs, except for steeply increasing colon cancer, have remained low in Japan. Similarly, Mediterranean people enjoy relatively low risks of FRCs compared with American people. The low risks of FRCs in Japanese may be explained by limited intake of fats and oils as a whole, and a low ratio of n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) versus n-3 PUFAs through consumption of the latter from marine foods. They also frequently consume vegetables and fruit, and dietary fiber. Mediterranean people moderately consume fats and oils from a large amount of olive oil, containing not only oleic acid but also polyphenols (including flavonoids), &mgr;-tocopherol and carotenoids (including &mgr;-carotene), which are antioxidants and anti-carcinogenic as in red wine, vegetables (including herbs) and fruit. The diet also features medium intake of fish and shellfish along with cereals/pasta/bread. From the standpoint of intake of total fat, the low risks of FRCs in Japanese seem "plausible," while the low risks in Mediterranean people may be termed "paradoxical." In summary, limited consumption of fats and oils, moderate intakes of marine foods, and vegetables and fruit, in line with a modest intake of energy may be advocated for promoting health, prolonging life and prevention of lifestyle-related diseases including FRCs.

Journal Article↗