Genetic polymorphisms of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase and aldehyde dehydrogenase 2, alcohol use and risk of colorectal adenomas: Self-Defense Forces Health Study.

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase is a key enzyme in folate metabolism, which affects DNA synthesis and methylation and is possibly linked to colorectal carcinogenesis. Alcohol and acetaldehyde have an adverse effect on folate metabolism. This study investigated the relationship of functional MTHFR C677T and ALDH2 polymorphisms to colorectal adenomas with reference to alcohol consumption in a case-control study of male officials in the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) who received a preretirement health examination at two SDF hospitals.

Relation of cigarette smoking and alcohol use to colorectal adenomas by subsite: the self-defense forces health study.

While smoking has consistently been shown to be related to increased risk of colorectal adenomas, few studies have addressed the association between smoking and site-specific colorectal adenomas. The reported association between alcohol use and colorectal adenomas has been inconsistent. We evaluated risks of adenomas at the proximal colon, distal colon, and rectum in relation to cigarette smoking and alcohol use, and their interaction.

Validity of a self-administered food frequency questionnaire against 7-day dietary records in four seasons.

The validity of a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was evaluated against four 7-d diet records among 23 men aged 27-70 y. Volunteer women recorded the amounts of all foods and beverages consumed by their husbands or fathers over a period of 7 d in four consecutive seasons in 1997 and 1998, and a self-administered FFQ was answered by each man after completion of the fourth diet record. The diet record was kept in accordance with the method used for Japan's National Nutrition Survey.

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I, IGF-binding protein-3 and colorectal adenomas in Japanese men.

Several epidemiological studies have found that high levels of plasma insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I and low levels of IGF-binding protein (IGFBP)-3 are related to an increased risk of colorectal cancer or late-stage adenomas. We examined the relation of body mass index, fasting and 2-h postload plasma glucose levels and plasma concentrations of IGF-I and IGFBP-3 to colorectal adenomas in middle-aged Japanese men. The study subjects comprised 157 cases of histologically diagnosed colorectal adenomas and 311 controls with normal colonoscopy or non-polyp benign lesions in a consecutive series of 803 men receiving a preretirement health examination at two hospitals of the Self Defense Forces (SDF).