Decreased arterial distensibility and postmeal hyperinsulinemia in young Japanese women with family history of diabetes.

Introduction: To assess vascular function and characterize insulin secretion using a physiological approach in Japanese women with family history of type 2 diabetes (FHD).

Research Design And Methods: Standardized mixed-meal tests were performed with multiple postprandial glucose, insulin and free fatty acids (FFA) measurements over a 30-120 min period in 31 Japanese women aged 21-24 years. Arterial distensibility was assessed as well.

Higher circulating orosomucoid and lower early-phase insulin secretion in midlife Japanese with slower glucose disposal during oral glucose tolerance tests.

Objective: We examined whether serum orosomucoid, an acute phase protein as with C-reactive protein, in addition to insulin resistance and beta-cell dysfunction, was involved in glucose disposal during oral glucose tolerance tests.

Research Design And Methods: 124 midlife Japanese (65 women, 66% with normal glucose tolerance) received dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and 75 g oral glucose tolerance tests with multiple postload glucose and insulin measurements. Subjects were divided based on the relationship between postload and fasting glucose.

Associations of ABC (Hemoglobin A1c, Blood Pressure and Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol) Goal Achievement With Chronic Kidney Disease in Type 2 Diabetic Patients With Preserved Kidney Function.

Background: We investigated cross-sectional and prospective associations of ABC (hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), blood pressure and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol) goal attainment with chronic kidney disease. Cross-sectional association with carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) was evaluated as well.

Methods: Prevalence of low estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.

Association between socioeconomic status and small-for-gestational-age in Japan: A single center retrospective cohort study.

Aim: Small-for-gestational-age (SGA) status has negative health consequences in neonates and later life. Low socioeconomic status (SES) is a reported risk factor for adverse birth outcomes, such as SGA and preterm birth (PTB). The present study investigated whether maternal SES is associated with adverse outcomes in Japanese pregnant women.

Association of Age and Anemia With Adiponectin Serum Levels in Normal-Weight Japanese Women.

Background: Adiponectin serum levels are affected by sex, ethnicities, adiposity, age and several pathological conditions such as anemia. The prevalence of hyperadiponectinemia (≥ 20 mg/L) in relation to anemia (hemoglobin < 12 g/dL) was examined in normal-weight Japanese women.

Methods: Serum adiponectin and blood hemoglobin were measured in 311 young women aged 18 - 24 years (A), 148 of their middle-aged mothers aged 39 - 60 years (B) and 322 community-dwelling women aged ≥ 65 years (C) with a mean body mass index (BMI) of 20.

Higher circulating adiponectin and lower orosomucoid were associated with postload glucose ≤70 mg/dL, a possible inverse marker for dysglycemia, in young Japanese women.

Objective: To examine whether serum adiponectin and orosomucoid were associated with postload glucose ≤70 mg/dL during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), termed as postload low glycemia, a possible inverse marker for dysglycemia.

Research Design And Methods: 75 g OGTTs were performed with multiple postload glucose and insulin measurements over a 30-120 min period in 168 normal-weight Japanese women (18-24 years). Insulin resistance (IR) and β-cell function inferred from serum insulin kinetics during OGTT, fat mass and distribution by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), serum adiponectin and inflammatory markers were compared cross-sectionally between 39 women with and 129 women without postload low glycemia.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Elevated Liver Enzymes in Japanese Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder among reproductive-aged women. While PCOS is associated with an increased risk of obesity and insulin resistance, little is known regarding the prevalence of and risk factors for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) among Japanese women with PCOS. We estimated the prevalence of and risk factors for elevated liver enzymes, as the index of NAFLD, in Japanese women with PCOS.

Higher Fasting and Postprandial Free Fatty Acid Levels Are Associated With Higher Muscle Insulin Resistance and Lower Insulin Secretion in Young Non-Obese Women.

Background: To assess the relationship of the shape of glucose concentration curve during a standardized meal test to serum free fatty acid (FFA) concentrations, insulin resistance and insulin secretion in young non-obese women.

Methods: Thirty-five young women had a standardized meal for breakfast with measurement of glucose, insulin and FFA concentrations at 0 (fasting), 30, 60 and 120 min; the areas under the concentration curves were calculated (AUCg, AUCi and AUCffa, respectively). Meal-induced insulin response (MIR) was calculated as the ratio between the incremental insulin and glucose concentrations during the first 30 min of meal tests.

Elevated serum adiponectin and tumor necrosis factor-α and decreased transthyretin in Japanese elderly women with low grip strength and preserved muscle mass and insulin sensitivity.

Objective: To determine if adiponectin levels are associated with low grip strength among the elderly independently of insulin resistance and inflammation.

Research Design And Methods: Cross-sectional associations were analyzed by logistic regression between low grip strength and body composition, elevated serum adiponectin (≥20 mg/L), and biomarkers of nutritious stasis, insulin resistance and inflammation in 179 community-living Japanese women. Sarcopenia was evaluated using the Asian criteria.

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in University Rugby Football Players.

Physical activity improves various metabolic disturbances. The effect of physical activity on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has not been defined, particularly in athletes who are able to consume a diet to increase body mass. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of NAFLD and associated factors of NAFLD among male university rugby football players [ = 69, 37 forwards (FW) and 32 backs (BK)], relative to age-matched controls (CON; = 29).

Association of serum orosomucoid with 30-min plasma glucose and glucose excursion during oral glucose tolerance tests in non-obese young Japanese women.

Objective: Inflammatory markers are elevated in insulin resistance (IR) and diabetes. We tested whether serum orosomucoid (ORM) is associated with postload glucose, β-cell dysfunction and IR inferred from plasma insulin kinetics during a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).

Research Design And Methods: 75 g OGTTs were performed with multiple postload glucose and insulin measurements over a 30-120 min period in 168 non-obese Japanese women (aged 18-24 years).

Appendicular muscle mass and fasting triglycerides predict serum liver aminotransferases in young female collegiate athletes.

Objective: We test the hypothesis that aspartate aminotransferase (AST) may be associated inversely with serum triglycerides (TG) and positively with high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol in young athletes because athletes have larger amounts of muscle mass.

Research Design And Methods: Pearson's correlation coefficients were calculated between serum AST and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and body composition identified by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, markers of insulin resistance, serum lipids, lipoproteins, apolipoproteins, adiponectin and leptin in 174 female collegiate athletes (18-22 years). Multivariate linear regression analyses were used to identify independent determinants of the aminotransferases.

The Cluster of Abnormalities Related to Metabolic Syndrome Is Associated With Reduced Glomerular Filtration Rate and Raised Albuminuria in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Background: As association of metabolic syndrome (MS) with chronic kidney disease (CKD) has not been extensively studied in patients with type 2 diabetes, we addressed these issues.

Methods: Intrapersonal means of 12 measurements of waist circumference, blood pressure and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and those of six measurements of fasting triglycerides during 12 months were calculated in a cohort of 168 previously reported Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes. Based on these means, MS was diagnosed according to the modified National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria with the Asian definition of abdominal obesity.

Post-Prandial Plasma Glucose Less Than or Equal to 70 mg/dL Is Not Uncommon in Young Japanese Women.

Background: Post-breakfast/post-challenge plasma glucose (PG) concentrations were studied less in young normal weight Japanese women. We addressed these issues.

Methods: Two separate groups of female collegiate athletes and female untrained students underwent either a standardized meal test or a standard 75-g oral glucose tolerance test, but not both.

Increased Adipose and Muscle Insulin Sensitivity Without Changes in Serum Adiponectin in Young Female Collegiate Athletes.

Background: Effects of endurance training on adipose insulin sensitivity in association with body composition, circulating adipokines, and markers of inflammation have been studied less in young Asian subjects.

Methods: Adipose insulin sensitivity/resistance was compared between 170 female Japanese collegiate athletes and 311 nonathletes (18-24 years), who underwent measurements of serum adipokines, markers of insulin sensitivity, inflammation, and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Two separate subsamples of two groups of women underwent either a 75-gram oral glucose tolerance test or a standardized meal test, but not both.

Association of Whole Blood Viscosity With Metabolic Syndrome in Type 2 Diabetic Patients: Independent Association With Post-Breakfast Triglyceridemia.

Background: Associations of whole blood viscosity (WBV) with metabolic syndrome (MS) have not been extensively studied in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: Intrapersonal means of 12 measurements of waist circumference, blood pressure (BP) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and those of six measurements of fasting and post-breakfast triglycerides (TG) during 12 months were calculated in a cohort of 168 patients with type 2 diabetes. Based on these means, MS was diagnosed according to the modified National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria with the Asian definition of abdominal obesity.

Visit-to-Visit Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Variability Is an Independent Determinant of Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes.

Background: Studies demonstrated that visit-to-visit variability in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) is an independent predictor of cardiovascular events in subjects with coronary artery disease. Whether visit-to-visit variability in LDLC levels affects subclinical atherosclerosis is unknown. This study sought to evaluate the role of visit-to-visit variability in LDLC levels on subclinical atherosclerosis.

Novel effect of ezetimibe to inhibit the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in Fatty Liver Shionogi mouse.

Aim: Several studies using experimental non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) models have shown that ezetimibe, an inhibitor of cholesterol absorption mainly in the intestine, not only protects against diet-induced hyperlipidemia, but also attenuates liver steatosis. The aim of this study was to clarify whether ezetimibe inhibits the development of NAFLD and to elaborate the mechanism of ezetimibe to inhibit the development of NAFLD using Fatty Liver Shionogi (FLS) mice, a spontaneous model of NAFLD/non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.

Methods: Male FLS mice at 20 weeks of age were divided into two groups (n = 7 in each group).