The Rate of NAD Breakdown Is Maintained Constant against Deletion or Overexpression of NAD-Degrading Enzymes in Mammalian Cells.

Cellular NAD is continuously degraded and synthesized under resting conditions. In mammals, NAD synthesis is primarily initiated from nicotinamide (Nam) by Nam phosphoribosyltransferase, whereas poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1) and 2 (PARP2), sirtuin1 (SIRT1), CD38, and sterile alpha and TIR motif containing 1 (SARM1) are involved in NAD breakdown. Using flux analysis with H-labeled Nam, we found that when mammalian cells were cultured in the absence of Nam, cellular NAD levels were maintained and NAD breakdown was completely suppressed.

Decrease in Glycosaminoglycan with Aging in Normal Rat Articular Cartilage Is Greater in Females than in Males.

Objective: Osteoarthritis (OA) is more prevalent in females. We hypothesized that changes in articular cartilage (AC) constituents with aging may cause differences. Herein, we aimed to compare the changes in AC constituents with aging in male and female normal rats.

Quantitative analysis of the effects of nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase induction on the rates of NAD+ synthesis and breakdown in mammalian cells using stable isotope-labeling combined with mass spectrometry.

NAD+ is mainly synthesized from nicotinamide (Nam) by the rate-limiting enzyme Nam phosphoribosyltransferase (Nampt) and degraded to Nam by NAD+-degrading enzymes in mammals. Numerous studies report that tissue NAD+ levels decrease during aging and age-related diseases and suggest that NAD+ replenishment promotes healthy aging. Although increased expression of Nampt might be a promising intervention for healthy aging, forced expression of Nampt gene, inducing more than 10-fold increases in the enzyme protein level, has been reported to elevate NAD+ levels only 40-60% in mammalian cells.

Complete solubilization of cartilage using the heat-stable protease thermolysin for comprehensive GAG analysis.

Articular cartilage comprises collagens, proteoglycans, and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) together with water, in hyaline matrixes. Articular cartilage is resistant to proteolytic solubilization for comprehensive GAG analyses partly because of assemblies of collagen fibers with thermolabile hydrogen bonds. In this study, we used the heat-stable protease thermolysin to digest collagen in solid articular cartilage at 70 °C and compared the efficiencies of collagen digestion and GAG extraction to those with collagenase digestion at 50 °C.

Inverse association between soya food consumption and insulin resistance in Japanese adults.

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to examine the association between soya food consumption and insulin resistance using baseline data of the Japan Multi-Institutional Collaborative Cohort (J-MICC) Study in Tokushima, Japan.

Design: This cross-sectional study included 1274 subjects, aged 34-70 years at baseline, living in Tokushima Prefecture between 2008 and 2013. Fasting blood samples were collected and information on lifestyle characteristics including soya food intake and medical history were obtained using a structured self-administered questionnaire.

Associations of dietary patterns with metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance: a cross-sectional study in a Japanese population.

The associations of dietary patterns with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and insulin resistance have not been fully investigated in the Japanese population. A cross-sectional study was performed on 513 subjects without treatment for diabetes who had participated in the baseline survey of a cohort study in Tokushima Prefecture, Japan. Frequencies of consumption of 46 foods and beverages were assessed using a questionnaire.

Family history of stroke is potentially associated with arterial stiffness in the Japanese population.

Background: Studies on the association between family history of cardiovascular disease and arterial stiffness are rare.

Aims: This study evaluated the possible relationship between family history of cardiovascular disease and arterial stiffness in the Japanese population, by measuring brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (ba-PWV).

Methods: A total of 1004 eligible subjects (664 men and 340 women) aged 35-69 years, who were enrolled in the baseline survey of a cohort study in Tokushima Prefecture (Japan) and who underwent ba-PWV measurement, were analysed.

Association between dietary calcium intake and arterial stiffness according to dietary vitamin D intake in men.

Studies on the associations of dietary Ca and vitamin D intakes with arterial stiffness are scarce. In the present study, these associations were evaluated in Japanese men. Data from a total of 535 eligible men, aged 35-69 years, who participated in the baseline survey of a cohort study in Tokushima Prefecture, Japan, and underwent brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (ba-PWV) measurements were analysed.

A brain-specific Grb2-associated regulator of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk)/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) (GAREM) subtype, GAREM2, contributes to neurite outgrowth of neuroblastoma cells by regulating Erk signaling.

Grb2-associated regulator of Erk/MAPK1 (GAREM) is an adaptor molecule in the EGF-mediated signaling pathway. GAREM is expressed ubiquitously in human organs and cultured cells. Two GAREM homologues are encoded by the human genome.

Relationship of dietary factors and habits with sleep-wake regularity.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the associations between dietary factors and sleep-wake regularity in the Japanese population. We analyzed 1368 eligible subjects (931 men and 437 women) aged 35-69 years who had participated in the baseline survey of a cohort study in Tokushima Prefecture, Japan. Information on individual lifestyle characteristics, including dietary habits and sleep-wake regularity, was obtained by a self administrated questionnaire.

Blood lactate/ATP ratio, as an alarm index and real-time biomarker in critical illness.

Objective: The acute physiology, age and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) II score and other related scores have been used for evaluation of illness severity in the intensive care unit (ICU), but there is still a need for real-time and sensitive prognostic biomarkers. Recently, alarmins from damaged tissues have been reported as alarm-signaling molecules. Although ATP is a member of the alarmins and its depletion in tissues closely correlates with multiple-organ failure, blood ATP level has not been evaluated in critical illness.

Inverse correlation between coffee consumption and prevalence of metabolic syndrome: baseline survey of the Japan Multi-Institutional Collaborative Cohort (J-MICC) Study in Tokushima, Japan.

Background: It is unclear whether consumption of coffee and green tea is associated with metabolic syndrome.

Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled 554 adults who had participated in the baseline survey of the Japan Multi-Institutional Collaborative Cohort (J-MICC) Study in Tokushima Prefecture, Japan. Consumption of coffee and green tea was assessed using a questionnaire.

Inhibitory effect of SPE-39 due to tyrosine phosphorylation and ubiquitination on the function of Vps33B in the EGF-stimulated cells.

Although SPE-39 is a binding protein to Vps33B that is one of the subunit in the mammalian HOPS complex, the elements of SPE-39 function remain unknown. Here, we show that tyrosine phosphorylation of SPE-39 following EGF stimulation plays a role in the stability of SPE-39 itself. Ubiquitination of the C-terminal region of SPE-39 was also elevated in response to EGF stimulation, and this process was regulated by the phosphorylation of Tyr-11 in SPE-39.

Intrauterine sensitization of allergen-specific IgE analyzed by a highly sensitive new allergen microarray.

Background: To design a rational allergy prevention program, it is important to determine whether allergic sensitization starts in utero under the maternal immune system.

Objective: To investigate the origin of allergen-specific IgE antibodies in cord blood (CB) and maternofetal transfer of immunoglobulins.

Methods: The levels of food and inhalant allergen-specific IgE, IgA, IgG, and IgG(4) antibodies in CB and maternal blood (MB) from 92 paired neonates and mothers were measured by using a novel allergen microarray of diamond-like-carbon-coated chip, with high-sensitivity detection of allergen-specific antibodies and allergen profiles.

Gene variants in PPARD and PPARGC1A are associated with timing of natural menopause in the general Japanese population.

Objectives: Timing of menopause affects postmenopausal health risks. The objective of this study was to evaluate the associations of the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-related genes (PPARD, PPARG, and PPARGC1A) and environmental factors with timing of natural menopause among the general Japanese population.

Study Design: We analyzed cross-sectional data from 1758 women aged 40-69 years who were enrolled in the baseline surveys of the Japan Multi-institutional Collaborative Cohort (J-MICC) Study.

Association between the catechol-O-methyltransferase (rs4680: Val158Met) polymorphism and serum alanine aminotransferase activity.

In our previous proteomic study in rat liver damaged by carbon tetrachloride, soluble catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) increased as a phosphorylated form and decreased as a dephosphorylated form. This finding raised the possibility that the COMT protein is associated with liver function. Thus, we hypothesized that (1) the COMT gene contributes to liver homeostasis and (2) a COMT polymorphism (rs4680: Val158Met) causing thermolability of enzymatic activity affects liver enzymes (e.

Allergen diagnosis microarray with high-density immobilization capacity using diamond-like carbon-coated chips for profiling allergen-specific IgE and other immunoglobulins.

The diagnosis of antibody-mediated allergic disorders is based on clinical findings, skin prick tests and detection of allergen-specific IgE in serum. Here, we present a new microarray technique of high-density antigen immobilization using carboxylated arms on the surface of a diamond-like carbon (DLC)-coated chip. High immobilization capacity of antigen on DLC chip at (0.

Role of a tyrosine phosphorylation of SMG-9 in binding of SMG-9 to IQGAP and the NMD complex.

SMG-9 is a component of the NMD complex, a heterotetramer that also includes SMG-1 and SMG-8 in the complex. SMG-9 was also originally identified as a tyrosine-phosphorylated protein but the role of the phosphorylation is not yet known. In this study, we determined that IQGAP protein, an actin cytoskeleton modifier acts as a binding partner with SMG-9 and this binding is regulated by phosphorylation of SMG-9 at Tyr-41.

Profile of participants and genotype distributions of 108 polymorphisms in a cross-sectional study of associations of genotypes with lifestyle and clinical factors: a project in the Japan Multi-Institutional Collaborative Cohort (J-MICC) Study.

Background: Most diseases are thought to arise from interactions between environmental factors and the host genotype. To detect gene-environment interactions in the development of lifestyle-related diseases, and especially cancer, the Japan Multi-institutional Collaborative Cohort (J-MICC) Study was launched in 2005.

Methods: We initiated a cross-sectional study to examine associations of genotypes with lifestyle and clinical factors, as assessed by questionnaires and medical examinations.

Correlations of fish intake and plasma docosahexaenoic acid levels with each congener of PCDDs/PCDFs/dioxin-like PCBs in blood from the Japanese population.

Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the factors associated with blood levels of each congener of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (DL-PCBs) in the Japanese population.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on 1,656 subjects (755 men and 901 women) aged 15-73 years, who were living in 90 different areas of 30 prefectures in Japan. Blood levels of 29 PCDD, PCDF, and DL-PCB congeners were determined by high-resolution gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.

Dietary patterns and blood levels of PCDDs, PCDFs, and dioxin-like PCBs in 1656 Japanese individuals.

The association between dietary patterns and blood dioxin levels has not been fully investigated. The present study population consisted of 755 men and 901 women (aged 15-73years) living in 90 different areas of 30 prefectures of Japan. Dietary habits were assessed by inquiring about the consumption frequency of 28 foods, food groups and beverages.

Congener-specific body burden levels and possible determinants of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in the general Japanese population.

Objective: Our objective was to investigate congener-specific body burden levels and possible determinants of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in the Japanese human population.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study on 72 participants aged 15-74 years; subjects were not occupationally exposed to PBDEs or dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (DL-PCBs). Participants lived in two urban areas and two fishing villages.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome associated with body burden levels of dioxin and related compounds among Japan's general population.

Background: Environmental exposure to some persistent organic pollutants has been reported to be associated with a metabolic syndrome in the U.S. population.