Objective: Although oral health and skeletal muscle status are known to be risk factors for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), there is limited information on their combined effects among community-dwelling older adults. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between oral health and skeletal muscle status among older adults with T2DM in Japan.Participants and Methods: This cross-sectional study included data from individuals aged ≥60 years. T2DM was defined as a glycosylated hemoglobin A1c level ≥48 mmol/mol (≥6.5%) or the use of hypoglycemic agents. For oral health status, dental hygienists assessed the number of teeth (NT) and masticatory function (MF). Skeletal muscle status was assessed using skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) and handgrip strength (HGS). Logistic regression analysis examined T2DM in nine-category combinations of oral health status (each of the three categories in NT and MF) and skeletal status (each of the three categories in SMI and HGS).Results: T2DM was prevalent in 83 participants (16.4%) and was significantly associated with low NT and SMI (odds ratio [OR] = 5.93, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.37–25.73) and low MF and SMI (OR = 4.48, 95% CI: 1.23–16.35) compared to high NT and SMI and high MF and SMI, respectively.Conclusion: Our findings indicate that low muscle mass with tooth loss or masticatory dysfunction is associated with T2DM among community-dwelling older adults. This suggests that maintaining oral health and muscle mass may be an effective strategy for the prevention of T2DM.

As a serine hydrolase, monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) is principally responsible for the metabolism of 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) in the central nervous system (CNS), leading to the formation of arachidonic acid (AA). Dysfunction of MAGL has been associated with multiple CNS disorders and symptoms, including neuroinflammation, cognitive impairment, epileptogenesis, nociception and neurodegenerative diseases. Inhibition of MAGL provides a promising therapeutic direction for the treatment of these conditions, and a MAGL positron emission tomography (PET) probe would greatly facilitate preclinical and clinical development of MAGL inhibitors. Herein, we design and synthesize a small library of fluoropyridyl-containing MAGL inhibitor candidates. Pharmacological evaluation of these candidates by activity-based protein profiling identified

Objective: Engaging in agriculture greatly affects workers’ lifestyles, particularly related to physical activity. This study aimed to clarify the prevalence of lifestyle-related chronic diseases among workers engaging and not engaging in agriculture in rural areas of Japan.Methods: A total of 4,666 consecutive participants aged ≥40 years (1,929 men and 2,737 women) were recruited during health examinations conducted from 2006 to 2014. For analysis, the participants were divided by sex and age into those engaging in agriculture and those not engaging in agriculture.Results: Engaging in agriculture may be contributing with a low prevalence of dyslipidemia, a constitutive factor of metabolic syndrome, in both sexes between the ages of 40 and 64 years. In the elderly aged ≥65 years, engaging in agriculture may influence the low prevalence of hypertension in men. Hypertension, a strong risk factor for stroke and cardiovascular disease, is very frequent among the Japanese elderly and, therefore, engaging in agriculture may have a significant impact on its prevention and control.Conclusion: In rural areas of Japan, engaging in agriculture may contribute to the control of lipid metabolism in middle-aged individuals and blood pressure in the elderly.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Few studies are available that have investigated the risk factors for overlapping irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)-like symptoms in patients with inactive inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The present study has 3 objectives: (1) to assess the prevalence of IBS-like symptoms in Japanese patients with inactive IBD using Rome III criteria, (2) to examine the relationship of IBS-like symptoms to health related quality of life (HR-QOL), and (3) to investigate associations for developing IBS-like symptoms in patients with inactive IBD. METHODS: IBS-like symptoms were evaluated using the Rome III questionnaire for functional gastrointestinal disorders. HR-QOL and hospital anxiety and depression scale were evaluated. RESULTS: IBS-like symptoms were found in 17.5% (7/40) of patients with inactive ulcerative colitis, 27.1% (29/107) of patients with inactive Crohn’s disease (CD), and 5.3% (23/438) of healthy control subjects. The QOL level was significantly lower and anxiety score was significantly higher in inactive CD patients with IBS-like symptoms than in those without such symptoms (P = 0.003, P = 0.009). Use of anti-anxiety drugs was associated with the presence of IBS symptoms (P = 0.045). HR-QOL score was lower and anxiety score was higher in patients with inactive ulcerative colitis, but the difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of IBS-like symptoms in inactive IBD patients was significantly higher than in healthy controls. Inactive CD patients with IBS-like symptoms has low QOL and anxiety; suggesting that anxiety may be associated with symptom development in such patients.
Anti-Anxiety Agents ; Anxiety ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group* ; Colitis, Ulcerative ; Depression ; Gastrointestinal Diseases ; Humans ; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases* ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome ; Prevalence* ; Quality of Life ; Risk Factors

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Apolipoprotein A5 gene promoter region T-1131C polymorphism (APOA5 T-1131C) is known to be associated with elevated plasma TG levels, although little is known of the influence of the interaction between APOA5 T-1131C and lifestyle modification on TG levels. To investigate this matter, we studied APOA5 T-1131C and plasma TG levels of subjects participating in a three-month lifestyle modification program. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A three-month lifestyle modification program was conducted with 297 participants (Age: 57 +/- 8 years) in Izumo City, Japan, from 2001-2007. Changes in energy balance (the difference between energy intake and energy expenditure) and BMI were used to evaluate the participants' responses to the lifestyle modification. RESULTS: Even after adjusting for confounding factors, plasma TG levels were significantly different at baseline among three genotype subgroups: TT, 126 +/- 68 mg/dl; TC, 134 +/- 74 mg/dl; and CC, 172 +/- 101 mg/dl. Lifestyle modification resulted in significant reductions in plasma TG levels in the TT, TC, and CC genotype subgroups: -21.9 +/- 61.0 mg/dl, -20.9 +/- 51.0 mg/dl, and -42.6 +/- 78.5 mg/dl, respectively, with no significant differences between them. In a stepwise regression analysis, age, APOA5 T-1131C, body mass index (BMI), homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and the 18:1/18:0 ratio showed independent association with plasma TG levels at baseline. In a general linear model analysis, APOA5 T-1131C C-allele carriers showed significantly greater TG reduction with decreased energy balance than wild type carriers after adjustment for age, gender, and baseline plasma TG levels. CONCLUSIONS: The genetic effects of APOA5 T-1131C independently affected plasma TG levels. However, lifestyle modification was effective in significantly reducing plasma TG levels despite the APOA5 T-1131C genotype background.
Apolipoproteins* ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group* ; Body Mass Index ; Energy Intake ; Genotype ; Homeostasis ; Humans ; Japan ; Life Style* ; Linear Models ; Plasma* ; Promoter Regions, Genetic* ; Regression Analysis ; Triglycerides*

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Mulberry leaves contain quercetin derivatives, which have the effects of reducing obesity and improving lipid and glucose metabolism in mice with obesity. It is not clear whether or not mulberry leaves can directly affect metabolic disorders, in the presence of obesity, because of the interaction between obesity and metabolic disorders. The aim of the current study was to assess the direct action of quercetin derivatives on metabolic disorders in non-obese conditions in short-term high-fat diet fed mice. MATERIALS/METHODS: C57BL/6N mice were fed a high-fat diet, supplemented with either 0% (control), 1%, or 3% mulberry leaf powder (Mul) or 1% catechin powder for five days. Anthropometric parameters and blood biochemistry were determined, and hepatic gene expression associated with lipid and glucose metabolism was analyzed. RESULTS: Body and white fat weights did not differ among the four groups. Plasma triglycerides, total cholesterol, and free fatty acids in the 1%, 3% Mul and catechin groups did not differ significantly from those of the controls, however, plasma glucose and 8-isoprostane levels were significantly reduced. Liver gene expression of gp91phox, a main component of NADPH oxidase, was significantly down-regulated, and PPAR-alpha, related to beta-oxidation, was significantly up-regulated. FAS and GPAT, involved in lipid metabolism, were significantly down-regulated, and Ehhadh was significantly up-regulated. Glucose-metabolism related genes, L-PK and G6Pase, were significantly down-regulated, while GK was significantly up-regulated in the two Mul groups compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the Mul quercetin derivatives can directly improve lipid and glucose metabolism by reducing oxidative stress and enhancing beta-oxidation. The 1% Mul and 1% catechin groups had similar levels of polyphenol compound intake (0.4 x 10(-5) vs 0.4 x 10(-5) mole/5 days) and exhibited similar effects, but neither showed dose-dependent effects on lipid and glucose metabolism or oxidative stress.
Adipose Tissue, White ; Animals ; Biochemistry ; Blood Glucose ; Catechin ; Cholesterol ; Diet, High-Fat ; Fatty Acids, Nonesterified ; Gene Expression* ; Glucose* ; Lipid Metabolism ; Liver ; Metabolism* ; Mice* ; Morus* ; NADPH Oxidase ; Obesity ; Oxidative Stress ; Plasma ; Quercetin* ; Triglycerides ; Weights and Measures

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Mulberry leaves contain quercetin derivatives, which have the effects of reducing obesity and improving lipid and glucose metabolism in mice with obesity. It is not clear whether or not mulberry leaves can directly affect metabolic disorders, in the presence of obesity, because of the interaction between obesity and metabolic disorders. The aim of the current study was to assess the direct action of quercetin derivatives on metabolic disorders in non-obese conditions in short-term high-fat diet fed mice. MATERIALS/METHODS: C57BL/6N mice were fed a high-fat diet, supplemented with either 0% (control), 1%, or 3% mulberry leaf powder (Mul) or 1% catechin powder for five days. Anthropometric parameters and blood biochemistry were determined, and hepatic gene expression associated with lipid and glucose metabolism was analyzed. RESULTS: Body and white fat weights did not differ among the four groups. Plasma triglycerides, total cholesterol, and free fatty acids in the 1%, 3% Mul and catechin groups did not differ significantly from those of the controls, however, plasma glucose and 8-isoprostane levels were significantly reduced. Liver gene expression of gp91phox, a main component of NADPH oxidase, was significantly down-regulated, and PPAR-alpha, related to beta-oxidation, was significantly up-regulated. FAS and GPAT, involved in lipid metabolism, were significantly down-regulated, and Ehhadh was significantly up-regulated. Glucose-metabolism related genes, L-PK and G6Pase, were significantly down-regulated, while GK was significantly up-regulated in the two Mul groups compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the Mul quercetin derivatives can directly improve lipid and glucose metabolism by reducing oxidative stress and enhancing beta-oxidation. The 1% Mul and 1% catechin groups had similar levels of polyphenol compound intake (0.4 x 10(-5) vs 0.4 x 10(-5) mole/5 days) and exhibited similar effects, but neither showed dose-dependent effects on lipid and glucose metabolism or oxidative stress.
Adipose Tissue, White ; Animals ; Biochemistry ; Blood Glucose ; Catechin ; Cholesterol ; Diet, High-Fat ; Fatty Acids, Nonesterified ; Gene Expression* ; Glucose* ; Lipid Metabolism ; Liver ; Metabolism* ; Mice* ; Morus* ; NADPH Oxidase ; Obesity ; Oxidative Stress ; Plasma ; Quercetin* ; Triglycerides ; Weights and Measures

　　Health care plan has been established in each secondary medical area. Although health care plan should be focused on needs of people live in such units, studies with a view from residents’ perspective have not always been considered adequately. The aim of this study was to examine the factors that effect on utilization of health care facilities located outside of the secondary medical area in a rural region. The data included 515 patients with hypertension, 253 patients with hyperlipidemia, and 104 patients with diabetes. Factors relating utilization of health care facilities were assessed by age, sex, employment, number of diseases, body mass index (BMI), carotid plaque score, HbA1c, distance to the nearest clinic, and distance to the nearest bus stop. We conducted a logistic regression analyses of that data divided into two groups; car use and non car use. The result showed that sex, BMI, carotid plaque score and distance to the nearest bus stop were statistically significantly associated with the utilization of health care facilities located outside of the secondary medical area in patients with car use. Whereas, there were no statistically significantly associations in patients with non car use. Our findings suggested that it is important to consider health utilization of patients with lifestyle related diseases for making sustainable health care plan.

　　The establishment of a sustainable healthcare system based on residents’ needs is an urgent issue in a rural region. For this purpose, considering the structure of a healthcare system, such as the numbers of beds, doctors, and nurses is important. In addition, the study of healthcare utilization using the date gathered through geographic information systems (GIS) would be very helpful in building such a healthcare system. In Japan, however, there are few published studies available on how health services are utilized. The aim of this paper was to review articles of GIS research on healthcare utilization. We conducted a systematic search of published peer-reviewed literature on PubMed. We found 38 articles that satisfied our inclusions criteria for review. Of them, 12 articles had a map for understanding health needs or demands, 23 articles carried analyses of distance and time for health utilizations, and seven articles had a buffer or database for analyses of healthcare utilization. Most of these articles have dealt with pediatric care and emergency care. Given the aging population in a rural region, we concluded that a more evidence-based approach should be taken to rural health focussing on lifestyle-related diseases.

The anti-obesity effects of a hot water extract from wasabi (Wasabia japonica Matsum.) leaves (WLE), without its specific pungent constituents, such as allyl-isothiocyanate, were investigated in high fat-diet induced mice. C57J/BL mice were fed a high-fat diet (control group) or a high-fat diet supplemented with 5% WLE (WLE group). Physical parameters and blood profiles were determined. Gene expression associated with lipid metabolism in liver and white adipose tissue were analyzed. After 120 days of feeding, significantly lower body weight gain, liver weight and epididymal white adipose tissue weight was observed in the WLE group compared to the control group. In liver gene expression within the WLE group, PPARalpha was significantly enhanced and SREBP-1c was significantly suppressed. Subsequent downstream genes controlled by these regulators were significantly suppressed. In epididymal white adipose tissue of the WLE group, expression of leptin, PPARgamma, and C/EBPalpha were significantly suppressed and adiponectin was significantly enhanced. Acox, related to fatty acid oxidization in adipocytes, was also enhanced. Our results demonstrate that the WLE dietary supplement induces mild suppression of obesity in a high-fat diet induced mice, possibly due to suppression of lipid accumulation in liver and white adipose tissue.
Adipocytes ; Adiponectin ; Adipose Tissue, White ; Animals ; Body Weight ; Diet, High-Fat ; Dietary Supplements ; Gene Expression ; Leptin ; Lipid Metabolism ; Liver ; Mice ; Obesity ; PPAR alpha ; PPAR gamma ; Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 1 ; Water