Search

This study examines the differences in circulating levels of cytokines among Japanese in Japan (JJ), Japanese Americans (JA), and whites and their associations with obesity and marine n-3 fatty acids (FA) in a cross-sectional population-based study of 297 men aged 40–49 (100 JJ, 99 whites, and 98 JA). Experimental studies show that cytokines are associated with obesity positively and marine n-3 FA inversely. Serum interleukin-1α (IL-1α), IL-1 receptor agonist (IL-1ra), IL-4, IL-8, IL-10, inducible protein-10 (IP-10), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and marine n-3 FA were determined. Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and computed tomography-measured visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissues were determined. The JJ had significantly lower levels of IL-1α, IL-4, IL-8, MCP-1, and TNF-α than whites and JA. Whites and JA had similar levels of IL-1α, IL-4, and IL-8 whereas whites had significantly higher levels of MCP-1 and TNF-α than JA. The JJ were least obese (BMI (kg/m2), mean ± standard deviation) 23.6 ± 2.8, 27.9 ± 4.6, and 27.9 ± 4.5 for JJ, whites, and JA, respectively. The JJ had marine n-3 FA about 100% higher than whites and JA (serum marine n-3 FA (%), median (interquartile range) 8.79 (7.41, 11.16), 3.47 (2.63, 4.83), and 4.44 (3.33, 6.01) for JJ, whites, and JA, respectively). Generally cytokines had weak and nonsignificant associations with indices of obesity and nonsignificant associations with marine n-3 FA. BMI had significant inverse associations with IL-1α, IL-4, and IL-8 in JA (P< 0.05). Marine n-3 FA had marginally significant inverse associations with IL-8 in JJ (P= 0.055) and TNF-α in whites (P= 0.076). The JJ had lower levels of many cytokines than whites and JA. Generally cytokines had weak and nonsignificant associations with indices of obesity and marine n-3 FA. Further investigation is needed to determine why JJ had lower circulating levels of cytokines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronary heart disease incidence and mortality remain very low in Japan despite major dietary changes and increases in risk factors that should have resulted in a substantial increase in coronary heart disease rates (Japanese paradox). Primary genetic effects are unlikely, given the substantial increase in coronary heart disease in Japanese migrating to the United States. For men aged 40–49 years, levels of total cholesterol and blood pressure have been similar in Japan and the United States throughout their lifetimes. The authors tested the hypothesis that levels of subclinical atherosclerosis, coronary artery calcification, and intima-media thickness of the carotid artery in men aged 40–49 years are similar in Japan and the United States. They conducted a population-based study of 493 randomly selected men: 250 in Kusatsu City, Shiga, Japan, and 243 White men in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, in 2002–2005. Compared with the Whites, the Japanese had a less favorable profile regarding many risk factors. The prevalence ratio for the presence of a coronary calcium score of ≥10 for the Japanese compared with the Whites was 0.52 (95% confidence interval: 0.35, 0.76). Mean intima-media thickness was significantly lower in the Japanese (0.616 mm (standard error, 0.005) vs. 0.672 (standard error, 0.005) mm, p < 0.01). Both associations remained significant after adjusting for risk factors. The findings warrant further investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Predictors of diabetic nephropathy are only partly known and traditional risk factors do not adequately explain disease risk. We thus examined novel risk factors for overt nephropathy (ON) in type 1 diabetes.Methods. The EDC is a prospective study of childhood-onset type 1 diabetes. When first seen (19861988), mean age was 28 and diabetes duration 19 years. In the subsequent 10 years, 56 of 485 subjects without ON in 198688 developed ON. An age, duration (3 years), and sex-matched control was identified for 47 cases. Forty-two matched pairs had available stored plasma samples obtained prior to ON onset in cases, and complete standard risk factor data.Results. Cases had a higher baseline albumin excretion rate (AER), HbA1, pulse rate, non-HDL cholesterol, fibrinogen, small LDL and lower eGDR and LDL particle size compared to controls (all P values <0.05). Multiple measures of immune complexes were increased in cases (P<0.05), whereas borderline elevations were seen for total antioxidant reserve (P = 0.06) and retinol (P = 0.08). Multivariably, other than AER, LDL particle size and IgG-IC were predictive beyond the standard predictors.Conclusion. Besides AER, the immunecomplexes and lipoprotein subclasses may provide additional information in the assessment of ON risk in type 1 diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]