Association of maternal blood and umbilical cord blood plasma fatty acid levels with the body size at birth of Japanese infants.

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), mainly obtained from fish, have been implicated in fetal development. Because few studies have examined maternal and umbilical cord blood fatty acid levels and infant body size in Japan with a fish-eating culture, we examined differences in plasma fatty acid levels in pregnant women and infant size at birth. This study is a large birth cohort study of 1476 pairs of Japanese pregnant women and their infants.

Longitudinal Analysis of One-Carbon Metabolism-Related Metabolites in Maternal and Cord Blood of Japanese Pregnant Women.

One-carbon metabolism (OCM) is a complex and interconnected network that undergoes drastic changes during pregnancy. In this study, we investigated the longitudinal distribution of OCM-related metabolites in maternal and cord blood and explored their relationships. Additionally, we conducted cross-sectional analyses to examine the interrelationships among these metabolites.

Relationship between Serum Homocysteine Concentration and Dietary Factors in Young Japanese Women.

Homocysteine is a methionine metabolism intermediate and its increased blood levels are associated with a higher risk of noncommunicable diseases. Reportedly, blood homocysteine levels increase with inadequate folate, vitamin B, and vitamin B intake; however, its relationship with dietary factors other than these three vitamins remains unknown. Thus, we investigated the relationship of homocysteine with other nutrient intake.

Serum 5-Methyltetrahydrofolate Status Is Associated with One-Carbon Metabolism-Related Metabolite Concentrations and Enzyme Activity Indicators in Young Women.

Maintaining optimal one-carbon metabolism (OCM) is essential for health and pregnancy. In this cross-sectional study, folate status was assessed based on 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF) levels, and the association between 5-MTHF and OCM-related metabolites was investigated in 227 female Japanese university students aged 18-25 years. The participants were divided into high and low 5-MTHF groups based on their folate status.

Postprandial fatty acid metabolism with coconut oil in young females: a randomized, single-blind, crossover trial.

Background: Approximately 84% of the fatty acids contained in coconut oil (CO) are saturated fatty acids (SFAs), and approximately 47% of the SFA are lauric acid with 12 carbon atoms. Lauric acid carbon chain length is intermediate between medium and long-chain fatty acids (LCFAs). We examined how CO acts on lipid-related substances in the blood to determine whether its properties were similar to medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) or LCFAs.

Association of rs174547 Polymorphism with the Composition of Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Serum Glycerophospholipids during Pregnancy.

The increase in fetal requirements of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) during pregnancy alters maternal fatty acid metabolism, and therefore, fatty acid desaturase () gene polymorphisms may change blood fatty acid composition or concentration differently during pregnancy. We investigated the relationship between a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and maternal serum LCPUFA levels in Japanese pregnant women during the first and third trimesters and at delivery. Two hundred and fifty-three pregnant women were included, and fatty acid compositions of glycerophospholipids in serum (weight %) and the SNP rs174547 (T/C) were analyzed.

Investigation of Maternal Diet and Polymorphism Associated with Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Compositions in Human Milk.

Increasing the amount of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) in human milk is an important strategy for infant growth and development. We investigated the associations of LCPUFA compositions in human milk with maternal diet (especially fish and shellfish intake), with fatty acid Δ5 desaturase gene (FADS1) polymorphisms, and with gene-diet interactions. The present study was performed as part of an adjunct study of the Japan Environment and Children’s Study.

The Body Fat Percentage Rather Than the BMI Is Associated with the CD4 Count among HIV Positive Japanese Individuals.

Maintenance of the cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4) positive lymphocyte count (CD4 count) is important for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive individuals. Although a higher body mass index (BMI) is shown to be associated with a higher CD4 count, BMI itself does not reflect body composition. Therefore, we examined the association of body weight, body composition and the CD4 count, and determined the optimal ranges of CD4 count associated factors in Japanese HIV positive individuals.

Distribution of 5-Methyltetrahydrofolate and Folic Acid Levels in Maternal and Cord Blood Serum: Longitudinal Evaluation of Japanese Pregnant Women.

"Total" folate in blood has usually been measured to evaluate the folate status of pregnant women. However, folate is composed of many metabolites. The main substrate is 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF), with folic acid (FA) representing a very small component as an unmetabolized species in blood.

Associations of erythrocyte fatty acid compositions with FADS1 gene polymorphism in Japanese mothers and infants.

Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) are involved in the fetal growth in utero, and are essential for the development of visual and cognitive functions during infancy. The purpose of this study was to examine the associations of erythrocyte fatty acid compositions with FADS1 gene polymorphism in Japanese mothers and infants. The subjects were 383 mothers who participated in an adjunct birth cohort study of the Japan Environment and Children's Study (JECS).

Aging and FADS1 polymorphisms decrease the biosynthetic capacity of long-chain PUFAs: A human trial using [U-C]linoleic acid.

Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) are important constituents of biomembranes. Observation of blood fatty acids indicated that LCPUFA biosynthesis is affected by aging and FADS polymorphisms. This study examined the effects of aging and FADS polymorphisms on LCPUFA biosynthetic capacity via direct quantification using [U-C]linoleic acid.

Relationships between docosahexaenoic acid compositions of maternal and umbilical cord erythrocytes in pregnant Japanese women.

Previous reports have shown that the transfer of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) from mother to fetus during pregnancy is important for development of the child's nervous and visual functions. The amount of DHA passing through the placenta varies depending on the relative DHA compositions of the erythrocytes in the maternal blood and the umbilical cord. Prior research has reported that if the DHA composition of the maternal erythrocytes is over 5.

Determinants of polyunsaturated fatty acid concentrations in erythrocytes of pregnant Japanese women from a birth cohort study: study protocol and baseline findings of an adjunct study of the Japan environment & Children's study.

Background: N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) may have multiple beneficial effects on the outcome of pregnancy, maternal health and child development. The present study introduced the protocol of a birth cohort study to examine the beneficial effects of n-3 PUFA status in pregnant Japanese women as an adjunct study of the Japan Environment and Children's Study (JECS).

Methods: The JECS participants in the coastal areas of Miyagi Prefecture were further invited to participate in this adjunct study, and 1,878 pregnant women were enrolled prior to delivery.

Validity of Nutrient Intakes Derived from an Internet Website Dish-Based Dietary Record for Self-Management of Weight among Japanese Women.

We compared the relative validity of nutrient intakes derived from Internet website dish-based dietary records (WDDRs) and weighed dietary records (DRs). The study participants were 218 registered users of a dietary management website. After excluding 55 participants, a total of 163 participants were included in the final analyses.

Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Levels in Maternal Erythrocytes of Japanese Women during Pregnancy and after Childbirth.

Background: The transport of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), such as arachidonic acid (ARA, 20:4n-6) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3), to the fetus from maternal stores increases depending on the fetal requirements for PUFA during the last trimester of pregnancy. Therefore, maternal blood PUFA changes physiologically with gestational age. However, the changes in PUFA levels in maternal blood erythrocytes during pregnancy and after childbirth have not been fully investigated in a fish-eating population.

Associations between a fatty acid desaturase gene polymorphism and blood arachidonic acid compositions in Japanese elderly.

We investigated whether the single nucleotide polymorphism rs174547 (T/C) of the fatty acid desaturase-1 gene, FADS1, is associated with changes in erythrocyte membrane and plasma phospholipid (PL) long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA) composition in elderly Japanese participants (n=124; 65 years or older; self-feeding and oral intake). The rs174547 C-allele carriers had significantly lower arachidonic acid (ARA; n-6 PUFA) and higher linoleic acid (LA, n-6 PUFA precursor) levels in erythrocyte membrane and plasma PL (15% and 6% ARA reduction, respectively, per C-allele), suggesting a low LA to ARA conversion rate in erythrocyte membrane and plasma PL of C-allele carriers. α-linolenic acid (n-3 PUFA precursor) levels were higher in the plasma PL of C-allele carriers, whereas levels of the n-3 LCPUFAs eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) or docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were unchanged in erythrocyte membrane and plasma PL.

Heterogeneity of the Fatty Acid Composition of Japanese Placentae for Determining the Perinatal Fatty Acid Status: a Methodological Study.

Analysis of the placenta can be a useful way to determine the fatty acid (FA) status of pregnant women and neonates since this large organ can be obtained easily and non-invasively. Although several studies have been conducted on using placental tissue for FA analysis, the sampling methods have not been thoroughly examined. The aim of the present study was to determine a suitable method of sampling human placentae by focusing on their heterogeneity.

Influences of stearidonic acid-enriched soybean oil on the blood and organ biochemical parameters in rats.

In this study, we administered various diets of stearidonic acid (SDA, 18:4n-3) soybean oil to rats and examined the subsequent blood and organ biochemical parameters. Male Wistar rats (seven rats/group, six groups total) were fed diets supplemented with a test oil for 4 weeks. Diets containing test oils were: FFC diet (fish-oil-free control diet), C diet (control group, assuming a Japanese diet), SDA25 diet (25% 18:4n-3 soybean oil in the C diet), SDA50 (50% 18:4n-3 soybean oil in the C diet), ALA diet (34% flaxseed oil in the C diet), and EPA+DHA diet (34% fish oil in the C diet).

Associations between dietary n-6 and n-3 fatty acids and arachidonic acid compositions in plasma and erythrocytes in young and elderly Japanese volunteers.

Background: We reported that the compositions of arachidonic acid (ARA) in erythrocytes and plasma phospholipids (PL) in the elderly were lower than those in the young, though the ARA intake was nearly identical.

Objective: We further analyzed data in four study groups with different ages and sexes, and determined that the blood ARA levels were affected by the kinds of dietary fatty acids ingested.

Methods: One hundred and four healthy young and elderly volunteers were recruited.

Influence of essential trace minerals and micronutrient insufficiencies on harmful metal overload in a Mongolian patient with multiple sclerosis.

Parkinson's disease and other neurological disorders are prevalent in Mongolia. Our previous studies revealed a significant correlation of these diseases with high oxidative stress due to a high body burden of harmful metals, such as manganese, iron, lead, cadmium, and aluminum. This report describes a 37-year-old male Mongolian patient with multiple sclerosis and essential micronutrient deficiency.

Age-related changes of dietary intake and blood eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, and arachidonic acid levels in Japanese men and women.

We studied the relationship between dietary intake and the blood compositions of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and arachidonic acid (ARA) in four study groups with different ages and sexes. One hundred and four subjects were recruited. Dietary records together with photographic records from 28 consecutive days were amassed and the fatty acid composition in erythrocyte membranes and plasma lipid fractions was analyzed.

[Comparison of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in plasma and erythrocyte phospholipids for biological monitoring].

Objectives: Previous data have indicated that the erythrocyte membrane may be the preferred sample type for assessing long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA) contents in cardiac and cerebral membranes. In this epidemiological study, we examined whether plasma phospholipids can be used for accurate biological monitoring of the LCPUFA state or whether analysis of erythrocyte membrane phospholipids is indispensable.

Methods: (1) The analysis of LCPUFA contents in erythrocyte membrane phospholipids was conducted at baseline and after 1 and 3 days at 4°C, and 21 days at -40°C, after blood drawing, and the changes in LCPUFA content were examined.

A high accumulation of hair minerals in Mongolian people: 2(nd) report; influence of manganese, iron, lead, cadmium and aluminum to oxidative stress, Parkinsonism and arthritis.

Unlabelled: It was previously reported that the hair of Mongolian people showed very high accumulation of manganese (Mn), which may increase oxidative stress. This study (2(nd) report), indicated that not only Mn but other minerals had also accumulated at high levels in hair. It describes the influence of these minerals on oxidative stress, Parkinson's disease-like symptom (Parkinsonism) and arthritis, these diseases being prevalent in Mongolia.

Intake of trans fatty acid in Japanese university students.

Because trans fatty acids (TFAs) are a potent risk factor for coronary heart disease, it is important to know the amount of TFA consumed. We estimated TFA intakes of Japanese university students by direct measurement. Subjects included 118 students (57 males and 61 females) in two regions of Japan: Kanto (Tokyo area) and Okinawa.