Biomedical subjects

Shaw Watanabe

Publications and source records attributed to Shaw Watanabe.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2007

Concentration and distribution of dioxins and related compounds in human tissues.

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin, polychlorinated dibenzofuran and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyl concentrations in human blood, lung, liver, bile, pancreas, spleen, kidney and mesentery fat were determined to assess the concentrations and distribution of these chemicals in human tissues from 20 donors. The mean TEQ concentrations in blood, lung, liver, bile, spleen, pancreas, kidney and mesentery fat were 119, 178, 228, 50, 113, 163, 138 and 139 pg TEQ/g lipid, respectively. Parallel levels were seen in the blood, spleen, kidney and mesentery fat; in the lungs and pancreas, the levels were somewhat higher. Among the organ tissues samples, the highest concentration was observed in the liver and the lowest in the bile. Mean total-TEQ concentration of the liver was about 4.5 times higher than that of bile. Positive correlations were observed among the concentrations of dioxins in various tissues. However, the concentrations in bile were not correlated with any tissues. It is suggested that the distribution behavior of dioxin-like congeners in human tissues varies among tissues and the kinds of congeners ingested. To evaluate the relationship between the accumulation levels of dioxins and their pathophysiological significance or risk, data must be accumulated from a more extensive group of human samples.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed2005

Sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic method using coulometric electrode array detection for measurement of phytoestrogens in dried blood spots.

As the epidemiological and physiological investigation of isoflavones and lignans expands, the need for sensitive methods for analyzing large numbers of samples intensifies. We have developed a method using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) equipped with a coulometric electrode array detector for separation and sensitive detection of daidzein (Da), equol (Eq), genistein (Ge) and enterolactone (Enl) in dried blood spots (DBS). Detection limits ranged from 4.5 pg or 0.09 ng/mL (Eq) to 19 pg or 0.38 ng/mL (Ge) on column. Signal linearities ranged from detection limits to 200 ng/mL (Eq, Enl) and 600 ng/mL (Da, Ge) sample concentration. Correlations between DBS and serum concentrations were 0.66 (Enl), 0.88 (Eq), 0.98 (Ge) and 0.99 (Da). Intra-assay coefficients of variation (CVs) were less than 8% and inter-assay CVs ranged from 2.4 to 20.2% for Da, Eq and Ge for three levels of controls. Enl intra-assay CV was 13.6% for the low pooled control. Analytic recovery ranged from 87% (inter-assay Ge) to 98% (inter-assay Enl). DBS concentrations of Da, Ge and Eq were stable for at least 8 weeks at 4 and 25 degrees C, and at 37 degrees C for at least 5 weeks, with Enl showing greater variability at all temperatures but relative stability for 7 weeks. Measurement of samples from 135 perimenopausal Japanese women consuming habitual diets in Kyoto and Fukushima prefectures showed the former to have the expected lower concentrations of Da and Eq (416 and 87 nM) as well as Enl (49 nM) compared to the latter locale (566, 145 and 72 nM, respectively). This method could be useful in large epidemiological research or detailed physiological studies.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

PubMed2005

Lower energy content of human milk than calculated using conversion factors.

BACKGROUND: Bodyweight gain of formula-fed babies is usually higher than that of breast-fed ones. The energy content of human milk is usually quantified not by direct measurement but by calculation based on The Standard Tables of Food Composition in Japan. For this study, the energy of human milk was quantified in two ways, using a direct measurement and a calculation method. METHODS: A total of 227 milk samples (192 colostrum, 21 transitional milk, and 14 mature milk) were collected from 114 healthy women. Energy of the whole milk was measured by ballistic bomb calorimetry. The content of protein, fat, and carbohydrate was determined by direct measurement methods. Energy of the milk was also calculated according to the indices in The Standard Tables. RESULTS: The mean value for all milk samples of directly measured energy was significantly lower than that of the calculated energy (58.1 +/- 8.1 vs. 64.5 +/- 10.6 kcal/100 g, n = 227, P < 0.05). Similar results were observed in colostrum and transitional milk but not in mature milk. Measured energy in mature milk was significantly higher than that in colostrum (64.2 +/- 3.6 vs. 57.1 +/- 8.0 kcal/100 g, P < 0.05). Protein concentration in mature milk was significantly lower than that in colostrum (1.4 +/- 0.4 vs. 2.2 +/- 0.7 g/100 g, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The measured energy content of human milk was lower than the calculated energy based upon the Standard Tables, suggesting that formula milk contains excessive energy.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Effects of lactoferrin, soya germ and polyamine on 2-amino-1-methyl-6- phenylimidazo[4,5-b]-pyridine(PhIP)- induced breast carcinogenesis in rats.

The cancer-preventive effects of food-derived bovine lactoferrin(bLF), isoflavone-rich soya germ(SG), and spermidine(SPD) on mammary gland carcinogenesis induced by 2-amino-1- methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]-pyridine (PhIP), were investigated in female Sprague-Dawley(SD) rats. Two hundred and six female SD rats were divided into 8 groups. Cumulative breast cancer incidence at 43 weeks was 65.4% in the PhIP group; 80.0% and 76.0% in the 0.2% and 2.0% bLF groups, respectively; 58.3% and 20.0% in the 2% and 10% SG groups, respectively; and 80.0% and 76.9% in the 0.035% and 0.175% SPD groups, respectively. Isoflavone-rich SG significantly suppressed breast cancer, and the tumors showed fibrous or less malignant features upon histological examination.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

The effect of dietary and plasma fatty acids on platelet aggregation in senior generation of Japanese women.

Dietary factors that influence platelet aggregation have not been fully clarified in humans. 63 Japanese women, aged 40-70 years old, completed one-day weighted dietary records, and received physical and laboratory examinations. Platelet aggregation was measured by 1.0 and 3.0 microM ADP induction. The results were analyzed with special reference to fatty acids. The short and medium chain fatty acid intake showed negative correlation with maximum percent of platelet aggregation induced by 1.0 microM ADP. Short and medium chain fatty acids in this study were mostly derived from milk and dairy products. Importance of short and medium chain fatty acid intake on platelet aggregation requires further study for prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed2004

Food safety and epidemiology: new database of functional food factors.

More than 600 functional non-nutrient food factors (FFFs) in vegetables and fruits are considered to be effective for health promotion and disease prevention. However, phytochemicals studied thus far have failed to yield predicted results in randomized intervention studies. To assess the health effects of phytochemicals, a breakthrough in epidemiological methods was necessary. We constructed a database of non-nutrient FFFs to estimate the chemical classes and total amount of FFF-intake in order to facilitate estimation and calculation for nutritional research. So far, flavonoids, terpenoids, carotenoids, and sulfur compounds are included in our FFF database. We calculated the intake of various phytochemicals per capita from 79 subjects' dietary records by FFF database, and estimated that subjects ingested more than 10 micromole per day of phytochemicals such as catechin, isoflavones, isothiocyanate, ferulic acid, quercetin, cinnamic acid and chlorogenic acid. Chief component analysis yielded 12 factors (80%), of which only a few factors showed negative associations with serum cholesterol and LDL concentration. Many factors showed adverse relationships with liver function and serum triacylglycerol concentration. Weekly self-reported daily dietary records including name of dish, constituent foods and their amounts were separately collected for 6 months and analyzed in Kyoto women. Seasonal changes of phytochemical intake showed significant variation according to the seasonal consumption of fruits and vegetables. Lycopene increased in the summer due to watermelon and tomato intake in this season. Seasonal variation of FFF was quite large compared to the variation of macro- and micronutrients. Careful evaluation of the effects of FFF intake on health is necessary, especially when supplements are also consumed. The most effective combinations of FFF intake for human health could be elucidated by using our FFF-DB in conjunction with population-based cohort studies.

Carotenoids↗

PubMed2004

Effects of isoflavone supplements on bone metabolic markers and climacteric symptoms in Japanese women.

A double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study on the effects of 40~mg/d isoflavone supplements was carried out by 58 climacteric Japanese women. A questionnaire and an interview concerning climacteric symptoms, health status, dietary and exercise habit, and medical history were carried out, and the physical check-up and biochemical tests including sex-hormone analysis were made at baseline and after 4 and 8 weeks of treatment. Urinary isoflavones were separately measured from the frozen samples. Isoflavone treatment did not cause any adverse effects on anthropometric measures or blood chemistry. Urinary deoxypyridinoline, a marker of bone resorption decreased significantly with isoflavone treatment. This tendency was remarkable among equol producers. Plasma osteocalcin and bone mineral density did not change by the four-weeks treatment. As for climacteric symptoms, hot flash decreased significantly. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure of hypertensive participants decreased significantly after isoflavone treatment compared with baseline and the placebo treatment. Isoflavone supplementation offers benefits to reduce effectively on bone resorption enhanced by menopause. The treatment also showed an improvement of climacteric hot flash and hypertension. Equol producers showed better results.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Intake of phytochemicals among Japanese, calculated by the new FFF database.

Effects of phytochemicals on human health are suggested from various animal experiments, but human studies remain insufficient. We have constructed a database of various phytochemicals (polyphenols, carotenoids, and sulphur compounds) (http://www.life-science.jp/fff/) and estimated the amount of intake among Japanese population. The subjects were volunteers (16 males and 63 females, averagely aged 71 and 61, respectively) in Iwate city. Average BMI was 23 in both sexes. Intake of 36 phytochemicals was calculated from one-day dietary records of all intake, by multiplying concentrations of each phytochemical in foods. Phytochemicals with average intake of at least 10 micromole per day were catechin, isoflavones, isothiocyanate, ferulic acid, quercetin, cinnamic acid and chlorogenic acid. Chief component analysis yielded 12 factors (80%).

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Phytochemical intake and relationship to past health history in Japanese women.

We calculated functional food factor (FFF) intakes using a new database and examined their relationship to health conditions commonly affecting Japanese women in midlife. One-day DRs were collected weekly for 6 months from 67 Japanese women, aged 45-55 yr, living in Kyoto prefecture, Japan. Macro- and micronutrient and FFF intake were calculated from the resulting 1528 DRs. Factor analysis and logistic regression were performed to identify relationships between FFFs and past health history. Fourteen of 17 FFF factors, as well as age, BMI and menopausal status, exhibited both positive and negative correlations with past history of hypertension, diabetes, allergy, migraine, and menopausal syndrome.

Asian People↗

PubMed2004

Phase 1 study of multiple biomarkers for metabolism and oxidative stress after one-week intake of broccoli sprouts.

Little is known about the direct effect of broccoli sprouts on human health. So we investigated the effect of broccoli sprouts on the induction of various biochemical oxidative stress markers. Twelve healthy subjects (6 males and 6 females) consumed fresh broccoli sprouts (100 g/day) for 1 week for a phase 1 study. Before and after the treatment, biochemical examination was conducted and natural killer cell activity, plasma amino acids, plasma PCOOH (phosphatidylcholine hydroperoxide), the serum coenzyme Q(10), urinary 8-isoprostane, and urinary 8-OHdG (8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine) were measured. With treatment, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol decreased, and HDL cholesterol increased significantly. Plasma cystine decreased significantly. All subjects showed reduced PCOOH, 8-isoprostane and 8-OHdG, and increased CoQ(10)H(2)/CoQ(10) ratio. Only one week intake of broccoli sprouts improved cholesterol metabolism and decreased oxidative stress markers.

Amino Acids↗

PubMed2004

The construction of web database server-client system for functional food factors.

In food, other than known nutrients, such as lipid, carbohydrate, protein, vitamins, and minerals, many substances with physiological function and medicinal action exist, and it is contributing to healthy improvement and/or prevention of illness. Although carotenoid, flavonoid and polyphenol, terpenoid, volatile substance and sulfur compounds, peptide, etc. have the function of illness prevention, and research of those non-nutrient functional food factors (FFF) became globally active, the research of this field is not yet done systematically. We evaluate function of FFF and reappraise known knowledge, and this knowledge is standardized and accumulated, aimed at building a web database server-client system which is easy to use for the people and nutritional research. We also collected related data such as chemical characters of FFF from literatures and other source, and formatted them into the database. We constructed the web database server-client system with MySQL database server and Apache web server based on Linux, and used Tomcat JSP engine for data connecting since they were reliable in stability and speed. We are opening the database at http://www.life-science.jp/FFF for test now.

Database Management Systems↗

PubMed2004

Measurement of isoflavones using liquid chromatography with multi-channel coulometric electrochemical detection.

We evaluated the use of HPLC multi-channel coulometric electrochemical detection (HPLC-ECD) for the routine measurement of phytochemicals by analyzing standards and urine samples. Compounds were separated chromatographically and electrochemically with high sensitivity (10 ng/ml of isoflavones in urine). HPLC-ECD will enable better investigation into the relationship between lifestyle and the effects of phytochemicals on humans.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

PubMed2004

Soy isoflavone intake lowers serum LDL cholesterol: a meta-analysis of 8 randomized controlled trials in humans.

Clinical trials have noted hypocholesterolemic effects of soy protein intake, but the components responsible are not known. This meta-analysis of 8 randomized controlled trials was conducted to more precisely evaluate the effects of isoflavones on blood LDL cholesterol concentration independently of soy protein level. PubMed was searched for English-language "randomized controlled trial" articles published from 1966 to 2003 that described the effects of soy protein isolate (SPI) intake with measured isoflavone levels on blood lipids in humans using the search terms "soy protein," "isoflavones," and "cholesterol." From 31 articles identified by the search, 8 articles (with 10 low vs. high isoflavone comparisons) were selected for the meta-analysis. Subjects in each comparison consumed similar dietary fat, cholesterol, and fiber; the reported body weight of subjects did not change significantly during treatment. Serum LDL cholesterol concentration in subjects who consumed SPI (mean 50 g/d) with high isoflavone content (mean intake 96 mg/d) decreased by 0.15 mmol/L (95% CI: 0.08 to 0.23 mmol/L; P < 0.0001) compared with those who consumed the same SPI level with low isoflavone content (mean intake 6 mg/d). Decreases in serum LDL cholesterol concentration in hypercholesterolemic and normocholesterolemic subjects were 0.18 mmol/L (95% CI: 0.01 to 0.35 mmol/L; P = 0.03) and 0.14 mmol/L (95% CI: 0.06, 0.23 mmol/L; P = 0.0008), respectively. With identical soy protein intake, high isoflavone intake led to significantly greater decreases in serum LDL cholesterol than low isoflavone intake, demonstrating that isoflavones have LDL cholesterol-lowering effects independent of soy protein.

Cholesterol, LDL↗

PubMed2004

[Associations between dietary intake and urinary excretion of sodium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, and calcium].

OBJECTIVES AND METHODS: The associations between dietary intake and urinary excretion of sodium (Na), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and phosphorus (P), and the major dietary sources derived from the urinary minerals were studied in a nutritional survey of 219 Japanese females aged 27-84 years, who completed anthropometric measurements, a one-day dietary record, and a 24 hr urine collection. RESULTS: The minerals excreted in the urine were significantly and positively correlated with each other, in which Na excretion was correlated with K and Ca excretion (r = 0.490 and r = 0.482, respectively, p < 0.01) and Ca excretion was correlated with Mg excretion (r = 0.526, p < 0.01). The ratios of urinary exertion to dietary intake of Na, K, Ca, Mg, and P were 81.5%, 62.7%, 24.5%, 21.7%, and 56.1%, respectively. The dietary intake and the urinary excretion of the minerals expressed per body weight (kg) were significantly and positively correlated (Na, r = 0.267; K, r = 0.460; Ca, r = 0.181; Mg, r = 0.245; P, r = 0.351, p < 0.01). Further examinations using chief component analysis for food intake showed several significant positive correlations, including between Na intake and the intake of vegetables, noodles, and seasonings (r = 0.332-0.381, p < 0.01); between K, Mg and P intake and the intake of vegetables, fruits, and potatoes (r = 0.332-0.533, p < 0.01); and between Ca intake and the intake of bread and dairy foods (r = 0.428, p < 0.01). In addition, significant positive associations were found between Na excretion and the intake of confectionaries, nuts, and seeds (r = 0.223, p < 0.01). Weak correlations were also found between K excretion and the intake of vegetables (r = 0.296, p < 0.01); between Ca and P excretion and the intake of meat, oil, and fats (r = 0.135, P < 0.05; r = 0.193, P < 0.01, respectively), and between Mg excretion and the intake of bread and dairy foods (r = 0.137, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Findings from this study indicate that, while urinary excretion of Ca and Mg is unlikely to be a reliable biochemical marker of dietary intake, the levels of urinary excretion of Na, K, and P can be reflective of the intake of salt, vegetables, and meats, respectively. The urinary excretion of the minerals, particularly Na, K, and Ca, may be highly linked to salt intake in Japanese females.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

[Intake and excretion of cadmium and iron balance and influence of dietary habits among young women].

OBJECTIVE: Absorption of cadmium is increased by deficiency of iron in animals, but it is uncertain that the same phenomenon occurs in humans. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between cadmium and iron in the body and to evaluate the influence of dietary habits. METHODS: Twenty-five healthy women, aged 20-23 years, were selected by excluding those with renal disease and habitual constipation. They participated in the dietary intervention study to estimate tolerable weekly intake of Cd for 3 weeks in the same dormitory. At 3 months before, at 0 Day, at the 12th Day of the study and 9 months after the study, health check-ups were performed, and Cd in the blood and urine, hemoglobin (Hb), serum iron (iron) and serum ferritin (ferritin) were measured. RESULTS: Cd concentration in the blood (B-Cd) showed a significant correlation with Cd concentration in the urine (U-Cd), and inverse correlation with the body iron storage, such as Hb, iron and ferritin. A food frequency questionnaire showed that no subject showed insufficient dietary intake of iron. Subjects who had eaten grain, millet and brown rice showed higher levels of B-Cd and U-Cd and low levels of Hb, iron and ferritin. CONCLUSION: Absorption of Cd tended to increase according to a low level of body iron storage among healthy young women.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Uptake of cadmium in meals from the digestive tract of young non-smoking Japanese female volunteers.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate rates of cadmium (Cd) uptake from the digestive tract and changes in Cd in biological specimens after intake of Cd mainly in rice. METHODS: Twenty-five young non-smoking Japanese female volunteers (20-23 in age) were recruited and a 20-d experimental study was conducted. With polished rice containing 0.004 ppm and 0.340 ppm of Cd, Meal L and Meal H were prepared. Approximately 12% of total Cd in Meal L and 92% of total Cd in Meal H originated in rice. The volunteers ate Meal L for 11 d to achieve a stable intake-output balance of Cd. Fifteen of the 25 volunteers ate Meal H on the 12(th) day (Group D1), and the remaining 10 ate Meal H on the 12(th), 13(th) and 14(th) day (Group D3). All 25 subjects then resumed the consumption of Meal L to the end of the study (20(th) day). All meals, feces and urine were collected during the study, and Cd intake from the daily meals (Cd-I), Cd in feces (Cd-F) and Cd in urine (Cd-U) were determined. For measurement of Cd in blood (Cd-B), venous blood was collected from all volunteers on the day before the study and again on the 12(th) and 20(th) day; venous blood was also collected from 4-8 volunteers at additional time points. RESULTS: Mean Cd-I was 4.51 microg/d (range: 1.85-6.93) or 48.48 microg/d (range: 27.98-56.27) when they ate Meal L or Meal H. Cd-F and Cd-B exhibited faster responses to the change in Cd-I than did Cd-U. The Cd(uptake) rate, defined as (1-Cd-F(excess) /Cd-I(excess)) (Fig. 1), was 47.2% (range: -9.4-83.3%) in Group D1 and 36.6% (range: -9.2-73.5%) in Group D3, and the Cd(balance) rate, defined as (1-Cd-F(output) /Cd-I(intake)), was 23.9% (range: -4.0-37.7%) in Group D1 and 23.7% (range: -8.2-56.9%) in Group D3. CONCLUSIONS: Cd-F and Cd-B are better biological monitoring parameters for assessing change in Cd-I than Cd-U. The Cd(uptake) and Cd(balance) rates appeared to be higher than those in previous papers when ingested Cd mainly originated in rice.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase represents CYP1B1, and not CYP1A1, in human freshly isolated white cells: trimodal distribution of Japanese population according to induction of CYP1B1 mRNA by environmental dioxins.

The expression level of mRNAs for cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A1 and 1B1 in freshly prepared white cells from 72 subjects exposed to dioxins at waste incinerators was investigated. The amounts of CYP1B1 mRNA ranged from 0.16 to 671 molecules/10(7) molecules of 18S rRNA, whereas the amounts of CYP1A1 mRNA were <6 molecules/10 ng total RNA, indicating that CYP1A1 was not induced to a detectable level by environmentally exposed dioxins. The inducibility of CYP1B1 mRNA in leukocytes, defined as the ratio of CYP1B1 mRNA to the plasma concentration of dioxins, varied among the subjects. It was found that the subjects showed trimodal distribution according to inducibility: 39 (54.2%), 25 (34.7%), and 8 (11.1%) of 72 subjects were judged as poor, intermediate, and high responders to environmental dioxins, respectively. The amounts of CYP1B1 mRNA in leukocytes of the intermediate and high responders were highly correlated with the plasma concentrations of dioxins (P < 0.05 and <0.01). These results suggest that CYP1B1 with polymorphic inducibility by dioxins is involved in aromatic hydrocarbon hydroxylase activities in human lymphocytes.

Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases↗

PubMed2003

[Phytoestrogen and cancer prevention].

Phytoestrogens are defined to be plant chemicals that modify estrogenic effects in the body by binding to the estrogen receptors in mammals. Isoflavones, coumestane, lignan, and prenylflavones are examples of these, with isoflavones from soy foods and lignans from rye being a major dietary contribution. Mechanisms of cancer prevention by these phytoestrogens are reviewed, and human epidemiological studies, especially for breast and prostate cancers, are summarized and the results discussed.

Breast Neoplasms↗