RESUMEN
Soybean isoflavones have structural similarity to estrogen and have attracted much attention due to their prevention of postmenopausal symptoms. It is critical for women to maintain a high bone mineral density (BMD) prior to menopause to prevent osteoporosis. In the present study, the effect of isoflavone aglycone (IA) supplementation on bone turnover was examined in relation to the estrogen receptor α (ERα) polymorphism. Natural isoflavones are glycosides that must be hydrolyzed to aglycones by intestinal microflora to have an effect. To avoid interference by flora, IA (30 mg/day) (but not isoflavones) or a placebo were administered as a supplement for 3 months to a Japanese population consisting of 81 premenopausal women. Due to variations in the intestinal flora, some but not all subjects were able to further metabolize IA into equol. Differences between equol producers and non-producers were also considered. To estimate BMD, the osteo-sono-assessment index (OSI) was determined by measuring bone density at the calcaneus and levels of bone biochemical markers (bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, α-carboxylated osteocalcin, undercarboxylated osteocalcin and deoxypridinoline) before and after supplementation. DNA samples from the subjects were examined for the presence of the XbaI restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) in intron 1. According to univariate analysis, IA had a favorable effect on the OSI of subjects with the X allele, with X designated RFLP undigested by XbaI, although the difference was not statistically significant. Alterations in the levels of bone biochemical markers were also not significant. Thus, a further logistic regression analysis was performed. This indicated that subjects with the XX homozygote administered the IA supplement were less likely to have reduced OSI values. Although equol has been proposed to have the highest phytoestrogen activity, its effect was not apparent. Thus, low-dose IA supplementation is useful for maintaining BMD in premenopausal XX subjects, independent of equol.
RESUMEN
To investigate the relationship between estrogen receptor polymorphisms and equol production and its effect on bone turnover, 139 workers (mean age 38.3+/-11.1 years) in Japan were recruited. Bone mineral density (BMD), bone turnover markers, and serum equol were measured at a health examination. DNA samples were prepared to detect the estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) polymorphism and were digested by PvuII. The number of equol producers was 57. No statistically significant differences were observed in bone mineral density and bone turnover markers between each ERalpha polymorphism and equol production. Since the adjusted odds ratio indicated that interaction itself decreased the risk of osteosono-assessment index (OSI) reduction using logistic regression analysis, further analysis was performed divided by each ERalpha polymorphism. Although the crude odds ratio showed no relationship between equol producers and non-producers, the adjusted odds ratio showed that equol producers with ERalpha pp had a significantly decreased risk of OSI reduction. Although this study was cross-sectional, both equol production and ERalpha polymorphism are closely associated with each other in relation to BMD.
Asunto(s)
Densidad Ósea/genética , Receptor alfa de Estrógeno/genética , Isoflavonas/sangre , Polimorfismo Genético/genética , Adulto , Análisis de Varianza , Equol , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana EdadRESUMEN
Recently, the number of workers who suffer from job stress was increasing in Japan because of a prolonged recession, increasing number of elderly workers, and structural reorganization of companies. On the other hand, polymorphism associated with depression or alcoholism was detected. Relationship between job stress and these polymorphisms were investigated. Brief job stress questionnaire was assessed for 243 employees who worked at a manufacturing company and a local hospital in Japan (mean age 40.8 years). Alcohol consumption and smoking habit were assessed as lifestyle factors. DNA samples were prepared to detect polymorphisms of 5HTT, aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2), D2 dopamine receptor (DRD2), and cytochrome p450 2A6 (CYP2A6) genes. The level of depressed mood by job stress was significantly higher among carriers of two short alleles of the 5HTT regulatory region compared with carriers of one or two long alleles (Mann-Whitney U, p<0.05). In a logistic regression analysis, the s/s allele of the 5HTT had a tendency to be a risk of depressed mood. When subjects had high supervisor's support, depressed mood was significantly lower irrespective of 5HTT polymorphism. Job stress may elicit biological responses that contribute to depressed mood in relation to 5HTT polymorphism.
Asunto(s)
Empleo , Polimorfismo Genético , Proteínas de Transporte de Serotonina en la Membrana Plasmática/genética , Estrés Psicológico/genética , Adulto , Aldehído Deshidrogenasa/genética , Aldehído Deshidrogenasa Mitocondrial , Alelos , Hidrocarburo de Aril Hidroxilasas/genética , Citocromo P-450 CYP2A6 , Depresión/genética , Femenino , Heterocigoto , Humanos , Japón , Masculino , Receptores de Dopamina D2/genética , Encuestas y CuestionariosRESUMEN
To estimate the genetic factors influencing depressed mood caused by job stress, a total of 243 employees at a manufacturing company and a local hospital in Japan (mean age 40.8+/-10.3 years) were recruited with informed consent. The Brief Job Stress Questionnaire was used to assess the present status of stress. Alcohol consumption and smoking were assessed as lifestyle factors. DNA samples were prepared to detect gene polymorphisms of serotonin transporter (5HTT), aldehyde dehydrogenase 2, D2 dopamine receptor, and cytochrome p450 2A6. The relationship between job stress, lifestyle factors and these polymorphisms was assessed for each gender. The level of depressed mood for female subjects was significantly higher among the carriers of two short (s/s) alleles of the 5HTT regulatory region compared with the carriers of one (s/l) or two (l/l) long alleles (Mann-Whitney U test, p<0.05). The odds ratio of depressed mood also confirmed this relationship for the female subjects, whereas there was no relationship for the male subjects. When social support was taken into consideration, the depressed mood score for those who had high support was significantly lower than for those who had low support, irrespective of 5HTT polymorphisms and gender. Job stress may elicit biological responses that contribute to depressed mood in relation to 5HTT polymorphisms, and social support may reduce depressed mood irrespective of 5HTT polymorphisms.
Asunto(s)
Depresión/etiología , Empleo/psicología , Polimorfismo Genético , Proteínas de Transporte de Serotonina en la Membrana Plasmática/genética , Adulto , Secuencia de Bases , Cartilla de ADN/genética , Depresión/genética , Depresión/psicología , Femenino , Humanos , Japón , Satisfacción en el Trabajo , Estilo de Vida , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Análisis Multivariante , Encuestas y CuestionariosRESUMEN
Experienced physicians noted unexpectedly elevated concentrations of lactate dehydrogenase in some patient samples, but quality control specimens showed no bias. To evaluate this problem, we used a "latent reference individual extraction method", designed to obtain reference intervals from a laboratory database by excluding individuals who have abnormal results for basic analytes other than the analyte in question, in this case lactate dehydrogenase. The reference interval derived for the suspected year was 264-530 U/L, while that of the previous year was 248-495 U/L. The only change we found was the introduction of an order entry system, which requests precise sampling volumes rather than complete filling of vacuum tubes. The effect of vacuum persistence was tested using ten freshly drawn blood samples. Compared with complete filling, 1/5 filling resulted in average elevations of lactate dehydrogenase, aspartic aminotransferase, and potassium levels of 8.0%, 3.8%, and 3.4%, respectively (all p<0.01). Microhemolysis was confirmed using a urine stick method. The length of time before centrifugation determined the degree of hemolysis, while vacuum during centrifugation did not affect it. Microhemolysis is the probable cause of the suspected pseudo-elevation noted by the physicians. Data-mining methodology represents a valuable tool for monitoring long-term bias in laboratory results.