Establishment of the MethyLight Assay for Assessing Aging, Cigarette Smoking, and Alcohol Consumption.

The environmental factors such as aging, smoking, and alcohol consumption have been reported to influence DNA methylation (DNAm). However, the versatility of DNAm measurement by DNAm array systems is low in clinical use. Thus, we developed the MethyLight assay as a simple method to measure DNAm.

A novel biomarker for acute kidney injury using TaqMan-based unmethylated DNA-specific polymerase chain reaction.

There has been increasing interest in the use of circulating DNA as biomarkers for various tissue injuries, cancers, and fetal conditions. DNA methylation is a well-characterized mechanism underlying the epigenetic regulation of gene expression, and many diagnostic tests based on DNA methylation patterns have been developed. We developed a novel TaqMan-based assay for the detection of acute kidney injury using a hypomethylated promoter region of Slc22a12, a urate transporter specifically expressed in proximal tubular cells.

MiR-216a and miR-216b as markers for acute phased pancreatic injury.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous small RNAs (length, 18-ss23 nucleotides) that regulate gene expression. Recently, plasma miRNAs have been investigated as biomarkers for various diseases. In the present study, we explored cell- or tissue-specific miRNAs and assessed the applicability of miRNA profiling for identifying biomarkers of tissue injuries.

MicroRNA 210 as a biomarker for congestive heart failure.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous small RNAs that are 18-23 nucleotides long. Recently, plasma miRNAs were reported to be sensitive and specific biomarkers of various pathological conditions. In the present study, we focused on miR-210, which is known to be induced by hypoxia and might therefore be an excellent biomarker for congestive heart failure.

Pex11α deficiency impairs peroxisome elongation and division and contributes to nonalcoholic fatty liver in mice.

Hepatic triglyceride (TG) accumulation is considered to be a prerequisite for developing nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL). Peroxisomes have many important functions in lipid metabolism, including fatty acid β-oxidization. However, the pathogenic link between NAFL and peroxisome biogenesis remains unclear.

Assessment of plasma miRNAs in congestive heart failure.

Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous small RNAs that are 21-25 nucleotides in length. Recently, plasma miRNAs have been reported to be sensitive and specific biomarkers of various tissue injuries and pathological conditions. The goal of this study was to assess plasma miRNA profiles and to identify plasma miRNAs that are differentially expressed in patients with heart failure.

Plasma miR-208 as a biomarker of myocardial injury.

Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous small RNAs of 21-25 nucleotides that can pair with sites in 3' untranslated regions in mRNAs of protein-coding genes to downregulate their expression. Recently, circulating miRNAs have been reported as promising biomarkers for various pathologic conditions. We assessed the hypothesis that miRNAs may leak into the circulating blood from injured cells and thereby serve as biomarkers for identifying the injured cell type.

Effects of the Y chromosome on cardiovascular risk factors in Japanese men.

Excess cardiovascular risk in men compared with women has been suggested to be partly explained by effects of the Y chromosome. However, inconsistent results have been reported on the Y chromosome's genetic influence on blood pressure and lipid levels. The purpose of the present study was to settle the question whether genetic variants of the Y chromosome influence cardiovascular risk factors using a large epidemiological cohort, the Suita study.

Validation of the association of genetic variants on chromosome 9p21 and 1q41 with myocardial infarction in a Japanese population.

Background: Recent large-scale genome-wide association studies have identified several loci associated with the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). The aim of the present study was to examine whether the previously reported CAD-associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) confer susceptibility to myocardial infarction (MI) in a study population of 2,475 controls and 589 cases of MI. The effect of the CAD-associated SNPs on cardiovascular risk factors in the control group was also investigated.