BackgroundRecently, the association of plasma free amino acid (PFAA) profile and lifestyle-related diseases has been reported. However, few studies have been reported in large Asian populations, about the usefulness of PFAAs for evaluating disease risks. We examined the ability of PFAA profiles to evaluate lifestyle-related diseases in so far the largest Asian population.MethodsWe examined plasma concentrations of 19 amino acids in 8589 Japanese subjects, and determined the association with variables associated with obesity, blood glucose, lipid, and blood pressure. We also evaluated the PFAA indexes that reflect visceral fat obesity and insulin resistance. The contribution of single PFAA level and relevant PFAA indexes was also examined in the risk assessment of lifestyle-related diseases.ResultsOf the 19 amino acids, branched-chain amino acids and aromatic amino acids showed association with obesity and lipid variables. The PFAA index related to visceral fat obesity showed relatively higher correlation with variables than that of any PFAA. In the evaluation of lifestyle-related disease risks, the odds ratios of the PFAA index related to visceral fat obesity or insulin resistance with the diseases were higher than most of those of individual amino acid levels even after adjusting for potential confounding factors. The association pattern of the indexes and PFAA with each lifestyle-related disease was distinct.ConclusionsWe confirmed the usefulness of PFAA profiles and indexes as markers for evaluating the risks of lifestyle-related diseases, including diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, dyslipidemia, and hypertension in a large Asian population.
Summary The findings of the published studies investigating the changes in peripheral circulation induced by exposure to whole‐body vibration (WBV) are not consensual or conclusive. Also, those studies did not consider the role of vibration magnitude on the peripheral circulatory responses making the interpretation of the observed findings difficult. We aimed to review the published literature investigating the effects of controlled WBV intervention on peripheral circulation by characterizing the relevant exposure conditions including vibration magnitudes, and ascertain the specific patterns of responses in peripheral circulation of the lower extremity from such exposure. A computerized search was performed in PubMed and Scopus using selected key search terms, and the relevant data were extracted. The vibration magnitude in the included studies frequently exceeded the limit specified in the International Standard ISO 2631‐1 (1997) for such exposure. As observed, exposure to WBV with frequencies ≤30 Hz caused an improvement in peripheral blood flow (BF) and/or skin temperature (ST) of the lower extremity. In contrast, the responses in BF and ST from exposure to WBV of higher frequencies (31 Hz–50 Hz) produced conflicting results. The findings of this review indicate that WBV exposure with relatively lower frequency and magnitude can be safely and effectively used to induce improvements in peripheral circulation. For this purpose, the limits recommended by the ISO 2631‐1 (1997) should be considered till safe and effective vibration‐related parameters are established.
BackgroundStudies on the association of plasma-free amino acids with gout are very limited and produced conflicting results. Therefore, we sought to explore and characterize the plasma-free amino acid (PFAA) profile in patients with gout and evaluate its association with the latter.MethodsData from a total of 819 subjects (including 34 patients with gout) undergoing an annual health examination program in Shimane, Japan were considered for this study. Venous blood samples were collected from the subjects and concentrations of 19 plasma amino acids were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization–mass spectrometry. Student’s t-test was applied for comparison of variables between patient and control groups. The relationships between the presence or absence of gout and individual amino acids were investigated by logistic regression analysis controlling for the effects of potential demographic confounders.ResultsAmong 19 amino acids, the levels of 10 amino acids (alanine, glycine, isoleucine, leucine, methionine, phenylalanine, proline, serine, tryptophan, valine) differed significantly (P < .001 to .05) between the patient and control groups. Univariate logistic regression analysis revealed that plasma levels of alanine, isoleucine, leucine, phenylalanine, tryptophan and valine had significant positive associations (P < .005 to .05) whereas glycine and serine had significant inverse association (P < .05) with gout.ConclusionsThe observed significant changes in PFAA profiles may have important implications for improving our understanding of pathophysiology, diagnosis and prevention of gout. The findings of this study need further confirmation in future large-scale studies involving a larger number of patients with gout.
This study was undertaken to review the diagnostic ability of different quantification methods in the assessment of vibration-induced white finger (VWF), the typical clinical manifestation of vascular injuries in Hand-arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS). Methods: A literature search of original and major review articles related to the quantification techniques for diagnosing vascular injuries in HAVS was performed. Relevant data from the publications were extracted and included in this study for reporting and discussion. Results: Few studies were available to substantiate the diagnostic techniques using the nail press test and nailfold capillaroscopy. Also, few studies were found to conclusively demonstrate the diagnostic ability using thermometry and thermography incorporated with cold provocation. Some recent reports raised the question regarding the diagnostic ability of finger plethysmography; but by virtue of its comparable assessment parameters and better diagnostic performance, plethysmography appears to be a suitable diagnostic method. In noninvasive quantification of vascular injuries, diagnostic techniques like laser Doppler perfusion imaging and nailfold capillaroscopy require further evaluation in future studies. Conclusions: For a reliable objective diagnosis of VWF at present, quantification of vascular responses using a test battery including established methods like thermometry or thermography and strain gauge plethysmography appears to be useful. (J Occup Health 2011; 53: 241-249)
Findings of the available studies regarding the roles of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) and aromatic amino acids (AAAs) in hypertension are inconsistent, conflicting and inconclusive. The purpose of this study was to explore and clarify the existence of any relationships of individual BCAAs and AAAs with hypertension with adjustments for potential relevant confounders. A total of 2805 healthy controls and 2736 hypertensive patients were included in the current analysis. The associations between individual amino acids and hypertension were explored by logistic regression analyses adjusted for potential confounding variables. Among the investigated amino acids, only the BCAAs showed consistently significant positive associations with hypertension in the adjusted models (p-trend < 0.05 to 0.001). However, compared with the corresponding lowest quartile of individual BCAAs, the positive association with hypertension remained significant only in the highest quartile (p < 0.01 to 0.001). We confirmed in a relatively large cohort of subjects that BCAAs, not AAAs, demonstrated consistent positive associations with hypertension. The results display the promising potential for the use of BCAAs as relevant and accessible biomarkers, and provide perspectives on interventions directed towards the reduction in plasma BCAA levels in the prevention and management of hypertension.
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