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Background There is little data on the association between the lower nutrition represented by serum albumin levels and related factors in a general population. The present study aimed to determine whether the albumin level positioned as some kind of biomarker with frailty measures, trace elements, and an inflammation marker. Methods In 2018, we performed an epidemiological survey in 1368 subjects who resided in Tanushimaru, Japan, in which we examined the blood chemistry including albumin, trace elements, hormone levels, and carotid ultrasonography. Albumin levels were categorized into 4 groups (G1 [3.2–3.9 mg/dL], G2 [4.0–4.3 mg/dL], G3 [4.4–4.6 mg/dL], and G4 [4.7–5.3 mg/dL]). The participants underwent measurements of handgrip strength and were tested by asking to walk 5 m. Their cognitive functions were evaluated by the mini-mental state examination (MMSE). Results Multiple stepwise regression analysis demonstrated that albumin levels were significantly and independently associated with age (inversely), systolic blood pressures, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), MMSE score, frailty measures (handgrip strength), an inflammation marker (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein), hormones (growth hormone (inversely) and insulin-like growth factor-1), and trace elements (calcium, magnesium, iron, and zinc), with a linear trend. Conclusions Lower albumin levels, even in the normal range, were found to be related factors of frailty measures, trace elements, and an inflammation marker in a general population.

Adiponectin plays various rolls in energy metabolism [1], lipid metabolism [2][3][4] and appestat regulation [5]. It has also attracted considerable attention regarding its anti-inflammatory activities, including inhibiting immune responses in macrophages [6,7]. Adiponectin activates AMP kinase, resulting in decreased NF-κb activity and decreased levels of CRP mRNA and proteins [8]. However, Schaffler et al. reported that increased adiponectin levels occur concomitantly with inflammatory responses [9]. They activated two monocytic cell lines with adiponectin and analyzed the subunit of NF-κb in different leukocyte cell lines [10].Low-molecular-weight adiponectin is more closely associated with episodes of asthma than high-molecularweight adiponectin Yuuki Matsumoto 1) , Kouji Toyomasu 2) , Naohisa Uchimura 3) and Tatsuya Ishitake Abstract. Adiponectin is divided into high-molecular-weight (HMW), middle-molecular-weight (MMW) and lowmolecular-weight (LMW) types. While HMW adiponectin has been studied by many researchers, the roles of MMW and LMW adiponectin have not yet been sufficiently elucidated. In addition, there are conflicting findings regarding the role of adiponectin in chronic inflammatory diseases, especially asthma. Therefore, we compared patients who suffered episodes of asthma in the past (=asthmatics) with those who did not (=non-asthmatics) in order to investigate the relationship between asthma and HMW, MMW and LMW adiponectin. The subjects in this study included 76 university students.None of the subjects were smokers, on regular medications or seeing a doctor regularly at the time. Fourteen subjects reported past histories of asthma. We also measured and compared the levels of leptin and ghrelin to that of adiponectin, as these hormones are connected with inflammatory conditions. Although the physical data of the asthmatics were similar to those of the non-asthmatics, the levels of ghrelin and all fractions of adiponectin tended to be lower in the asthmatics than in the non-asthmatics. While the levels of MMW and LMW adiponectin in the asthmatics were found to be significantly low, the levels of ghrelin and HMW adiponectin were not clear. According to a multivariate regression analysis of the MMW and LMW adiponectin levels, asthma was found to be more significantly associated with the LMW adiponectin level than age, waist circumference or HDL-C. The results suggest that LMW adiponectin may be associated with episodes of asthma in males. Keywords

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) has been identified as an important regulator of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor processing. Evolocumab and alirocumab are PCSK9 inhibitors; however, little is known about the association between PCSK9 levels and lipid profiles in a general population. Because PCSK9 inhibitors have LDL-C lowering effects, we investigated whether there is a positive correlation between serum PCSK9 levels and LDL-C or lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)]. Methods: In Uku town, 674 residents (mean age; 69.2 8.3 years) received health check-ups. The participants underwent a physical examination and blood tests, including PCSK9 and Lp(a). Serum PCSK9 and Lp(a) were measured by ELISA and Latex methods, respectively. HOMA-IR was calculated by fasting plasma glucose insulin levels/405. Results: The mean (range) of PCSK9 and Lp(a) were 211.2 (49-601) ng/mL and 60 (1-107) mg/dL, respectively. Because of a skewed distribution, the log-transformed values were used. With univariate linear regression analysis, PCSK9 levels were associated with Lp(a) (p 0.028), triglycerides (p 0.001), and HOMA-IR (p 0.001), but not with LDL-C (p 0.138) levels. Multiple stepwise regression analysis revealed that serum PCSK9 levels were independently associated with triglycerides (p 0.001), Lp(a) (p 0.033) and HOMA-IR (p 0.041). Conclusions: PCSK-9 is independently associated with triglycerides, Lp(a) levels, and HOMA-IR, but not LDL-C, in a relatively large general population sample.moting their degradation through the endosomal/ lysosomal pathway 1) .Data from clinical, in vivo, in vitro, and animal studies have associated PCSK9 with triglycerides 2) , triglycerides-rich lipoproteins 3) , high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) 4) , insulin, and insulin resistance 5,6) . Studies on the relationship between PCSK9 and the components of metabolic syndrome have been reported; however, the results are inconsistent 7,8) .