BackgroundEnvironmental exposure to some persistent organic pollutants has been reported to be associated with a metabolic syndrome in the U.S. population.ObjectivesWe evaluated the associations of body burden levels of dioxins and related compounds with the prevalence of metabolic syndrome among the general population in Japan.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study with 1,374 participants not occupationally exposed to these pollutants, living throughout Japan during 2002–2006. In fasting blood samples, we measured biochemical factors and determined lipid-adjusted concentrations of 10 polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), 7 polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and 12 dioxin-like poly-chlorinated biphenyls (DL-PCBs) all of which have toxic equivalency factors. We also performed a questionnaire survey.ResultsThe toxic equivalents (TEQs) of PCDDs, PCDFs, and DL-PCBs and total TEQs had significant adjusted associations with metabolic syndrome, whether or not we excluded diabetic subjects. By analyzing each component of metabolic syndrome separately, the DL-PCB TEQs and total TEQs were associated with all components, and the odds ratios (ORs) in the highest quartile of DL-PCB TEQs in four of the five components were higher than those for PCDDs or PCDFs. We also found congener-specific associations with metabolic syndrome; in particular, the highest quartiles of PCB-126 and PCB-105 had adjusted ORs of 9.1 and 7.3, respectively.ConclusionsThese results suggest that body burden levels of dioxins and related compounds, particularly those of DL-PCBs, are associated with metabolic syndrome. Of the components, high blood pressure, elevated triglycerides, and glucose intolerance were most closely associated with these pollutants.

The carbon and nitrogen stable isotopic composition of the scalp hair and diet of Gidra-speaking people in four villages in Papua New Guinea is presented. The isotopic composition of hair was measured, while that of the diet was estimated from food consumption survey data and the measured isotopic composition and protein and carbohydrate contents of food items. The average isotopic ratios of the hair samples and of the diet varied among the four study villages, which were selected because of their diverse ecological settings. Comparison was made between hair and calculated dietary isotopic compositions. Two of the four diet-hair enrichment values obtained for 13C (+1.8 and 2.2%) were similar to those previously reported (1.4-2.0%), but the other two values (3.7 and 4.8%) were greater than in earlier reports. 15N enrichment was systematically greater (by 1.0%) than reported values (4.3%) except for one village, where a much greater enrichment (6.9%) was found. The factors potentially relevant to these deviations are discussed. Possible errors in estimating the dietary isotopic composition and minor modifications of dietary habits revealed by food consumption surveys could explain most of the discrepancies. However, the great enrichment of 15N found in one of the villages remains unexplained.

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Food consumption and nutrient intake of the Gidra in lowland Papua, who number 1,850 and inhabit 13 villages, were analyzed by compilation of five two-week (or twelve-day) records, in a single village in 1971 and in four different villages (including the above village) in 1981.The nutrient intake of the Gidra varied both over time and among the villages. Difference in food consumption patterns included different proportions of plant staples such as sago flour, garden crops and purchased cereals. The animal protein sources, mainly game and fish, also markedly varied among the villages. These differences in food consumption were related to environmental conditions such as the fauna and flora in the environment of each village and to the degree of modernization as reflected in ability to purchase foods not locally grown.The causal relationship between ecological (environmental and cultural) conditions and food and nutrition is discussed, and a schematic model for this relationship is presented.