No abstract

OBJECTIVE:To examine whether polymorphisms of the estrogen receptor (ER) a gene are associated with body fat distribution. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, epidemiological study of two single-nucleotide polymorphisms, a T-C (PvuII) and an A-G (XbaI), in the first intron of the ERa gene. SUBJECTS: A total of 2238 community-dwelling middle-aged and elderly Japanese population (age: 40-79 y). MEASUREMENTS: The ERa genotypes (by automated fluorescent allele-specific DNA primer assay system), anthropometric variables, fat mass (FM) and percentage FM (%FM) (by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry). RESULTS: FM and waist were inversely associated with age (r ¼ À0.630 and À0.504, respectively) in women with the GG genotype. On the other hand, waist circumference of the AA genotype was positively correlated with age (r ¼ 0.231). Thus, for middle-aged women (40-59 y) with the AG or GG genotype body mass index (BMI), %FM, FM, waist, hip and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) were larger than those with the AA genotype. In particular, FM and waist were greater by 20% and 9%, respectively, for the GG genotype, compared to the AA genotype. Alternatively, FM and waist were smaller by 18% and 6%, respectively, in older women with the GG genotype, compared to the AA genotype. No effect was found among the A-G polymorphisms for men. For both genders, no difference was found in any variables among the TT, TC and CC genotypes with the exception of BMI of older men (60-79 y). CONCLUSION: No association was found between the ERa gene polymorphisms and body fat distribution in men. For women, the A-G polymorphism, in particular the GG genotype, may contribute to the development of upper-body obesity in middleaged individuals, but may serve to decrease the whole-body and abdominal fat tissue of older individuals.

Frequencies and circumstances of falls were assessed among 1030 middle-aged and elderly people who participated in the NILS-LSA (National Institute for Longevity Sciences, Longitudinal Study of Aging) from November, 1997 to March, 1999 and responded to the questionnaires. The variables analyzed in the present study were demography and history of falls in the past one year. Circumstances of falls, e.g. time, location, activities associated with falls, cause of falls and degree of injury due to falls were asked when the subjects experienced a fall. Fear of falling was also investigated in all subjects. The prevalence of falls was 12.9% in the middle-aged group (40-59yr.) and 16.5% in the elderly group (60-79yr.). The distribution of time, location, activity associated with falls, cause and injury due to falls corresponded with previous fall studies among community-dwelling elderly people. The incidence of falls was extremely high during the daytime and outdoors. Falls occurred most frequently while walking. The majority of falls were due to extrinsic factors. About 40% of all falls caused no injury. As to the fear of falling, about 30% of the middle-aged subjects and about 60% of the elderly subjects reported that they were fearful. Our results suggested that fall accidents are not rare, even in middle-aged people.

The prevalence of astigmatism increases and the axis turns to against-the-rule with age. The result of the linear regression analysis indicates that the age-related change in astigmatism is mainly associated with changes in the cornea.

Background and Purpose-Silent brain infarcts (SBI) and white matter lesions are relatively common neuroimaging findings, especially in the elderly population. The genetic background for SBI and white matter lesions in a large Japanese general population was investigated. Methods-Subjects were recruited from participants in the National Institute for Longevity Sciences, Longitudinal Study of Aging. Genotyping of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T gene mutation and brain MRI examination were performed in 1721 subjects free of any history of stroke. SBI and white matter lesions were diagnosed from MRI findings. Results-Of 1721 MRI examinations, SBI was observed in 178 (10.3%). The prevalence of SBI and white matter lesions increased with age. Key Words: amine oxidoreductases Ⅲ brain infarction Ⅲ elderly Ⅲ polymorphism Ⅲ white matter S ilent brain infarcts (SBI) and white matter lesions, which are often incidentally identified during CT or MRI scanning in asymptomatic individuals, are relatively common neuroimaging findings, especially in the elderly population. 1-3 However, the presence of SBI and white matter lesions has been identified as an independent risk factor for the development of future symptomatic stroke 4,5 and dementia. 6 Accordingly, the underlying mechanisms have been the focus of much research. [1][2][3]7,8 Population-based studies have been performed to identify risk factors for SBI. 2,3 It has been demonstrated that classic risk factors such as hypertension and smoking are involved in the development of SBI. [1][2][3]7,8 The genetic predisposition to SBI has also been studied. 9,10 However, a population-based study to identify a candidate gene for SBI has not been performed.Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) catalyzes the irreversible conversion of 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate to 5-methyltetrahydrofolate, which serves as a methyl donor in the reaction converting homocysteine (Hcy) to methionine. 11,12 An increased plasma Hcy level has consistently been shown to be an independent risk factor for atherosclerotic disorders in several meta-analyses. 11-13 On the other hand, a common mutation of MTHFR, which results in a mild increase in the plasma level of Hcy, has not been reported as a consistent risk factor for atherothrombotic disorders, including stroke. 11,12,14 Although there could be several possible mechanisms underlying the discrepancy, the sampling of cases and controls might account for part of the discrepancy.Two studies have evaluated the association between MTHFR gene C677T mutations and SBI. 9,10 Both studies failed to demonstrate significant associations. One evaluated subjects undergoing medical checkup. 9 To evaluate the genetic predisposition to SBI, community-based sampling of subjects would be less biased in the selection of cases and controls and would eliminate regional differences. Another study evaluated community-dwelling elderly subjects 10 ; however, the number of subjects was too small to reach a conclusion. The National Institute for Longevity ...