Objective: To determine whether 8-iso-prostaglandin F2a (8-iso-PGF2a) is a reliable biomarker of the accumulation of metabolic risks [e.g., overweight, hypertension, impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and dyslipidemia]. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of the baseline characteristics of a Japanese general population cohort study: Research on Osteoarthritis/Osteoporosis Against Disability (ROAD). Of 1,690 participants, 1,527 fulfilled all questionnaires and examinations. Free and conjugated urinary 8-iso-PGF2a levels and metabolic syndrome (MetS) components including blood pressure, HbA1c, total cholesterol, highdensity lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and non-HDL-C were analyzed. The data were analyzed by ANCOVA, multiple regression analysis, and multinomial logistic analysis. Results: 8-iso-PGF2a was significantly associated with HbA1c and significantly inversely associated with total cholesterol and non-HDL-C. Notably, IGT with an HbA1c cut-off of 5.5% was significantly associated with 8-iso-PGF2a level in participants aged 50 years. Multinomial logistic regression analysis revealed 8-iso-PGF2a level was significantly associated with a greater number of MetS risks present; this association was stronger in younger participants. In participants aged 71 years, 8-iso-PGF2a was significantly associated with a greater number of MetS risks with higher IGT cut-offs. Conclusions: Urinary 8-iso-PGF2a can be a reliable marker of IGT and the accumulation of MetS risks, especially in younger people.

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Objectives Many East Asians have the genetic polymorphisms rs1229984 in alcohol dehydrogenase 1B (ADH1B) and rs671 in aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2). Here we analyzed the relationships of the two genotypes with alcohol sensitivity, drinking behavior and problem drinking among older and younger men living in rural areas of Japan. Methods The subjects were 718 Japanese men aged 63.3 ± 10.8 (mean ± SD), categorized into the older (C65 years, n = 357) and younger (\65 years, n = 361) groups. Facial flushing frequency, drinking behavior and positive CAGE results were compared among the genotypes using Bonferroni-corrected v 2 test and a multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusting for age, BMI and lifestyle factors. Results The frequency of 'always' facial flushing among the ADH1B*1/*2 carriers was significantly lower than that among the ADH1B*2/*2 carriers in the older group (P \ 0.01). The alcohol consumption (unit/day) in the ADH1B*1/*2 carriers tended to be higher compared with that in the ADH1B*2/*2 carriers among the older group (P = 0.050). In the younger group, no significant differences in alcohol sensitivity and drinking habits were generally found among the ADH1B genotypes. The ADH1B*1/*1 genotype tended to be positively associated with problem drinking in the older group (P = 0.080) but not in the younger group. The ALDH2 genotypes consistently and strongly affected the alcohol sensitivity, drinking behavior and problem drinking in both the younger and older group. Conclusions We for the first time observed a significant difference in alcohol sensitivity between ADH1B*1/*2 and ADH1B*2/*2 in older men aged 65 and above.

The genotype combination of ALDH2 *1/*1 and ADH1B *1/*1 is significantly associated with an increased risk of any mental disorder, especially ARD. Non-drinkers or women with ALDH2 *1/*1 and ADH1B *1/*1 are likely to suffer from any mental disorder except ARD.

Background: Familial hypobetalipoproteinemia (FHBL) and abetalipoproteinemia (ABL) are rare inherited forms of hypolipidemia. Their differential diagnosis is important for predicting of the prognosis and selecting appropriate therapy.Materials and Methods: Genetic analysis was performed in two patients with primary hypocholesterolemia born from consanguineous parents. The oral fat tolerance test (OFTT) was performed in one patient with FHBL (apoB-87.77) and one with ABL as well as in four normal control subjects. After overnight fasting, blood samples were drawn. Serum lipoprotein and remnant-like particle (RLP) fractions were determined by HPLC analysis.Results: Both patients with homozygous FHBL were asymptomatic probably because of preserved levels of fatsoluble vitamins, especially vitamin E. The patients with FHBL were homozygous because of novel apoB-83.52 and apoB-87.77 mutations, and although one of them (apoB-87.77) had fatty liver disease, microscopic findings suggesting nonalcoholic steatohepatitis were absent. Fasting apoB-48 and RLP-triglyceride levels in the patient with homozygous FHBL, which were similar to those in normal control subjects, increased after OFTT both in normal control subjects and the patient with FHBL but not in the patient with ABL, suggesting that the fat load administered was absorbed only in the patient with FHBL.Conclusion: Although lipid levels in the patients with homozygous FHBL and ABL were comparable, fasting, postoral fat loading of apoB-48, as well as RLP-triglyceride