Biomedical subjects

M Miyao

Publications and source records attributed to M Miyao.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2001

Introduction of genes encoding C4 photosynthesis enzymes into rice plants: physiological consequences.

Transgenic rice plants expressing the maize phosphoeno/pyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) and pyruvate, orthophosphate dikinase (PPDK) exhibit a higher photosynthetic capacity (up to 35%) than untransformed plants. The increased photosynthetic capacity in these plants is mainly associated with an enhanced stomatal conductance and a higher internal CO2 concentration. Plants simultaneously expressing high levels of both enzymes also have a higher photosynthetic capacity. The results suggest that both PEPC and PPDK play a key role in organic acid metabolism in the guard cells to regulate stomatal opening. Under photoinhibitory and photooxidative conditions, PEPC transgenic rice plants are capable of maintaining a higher photosynthetic rate, a higher photosynthetic quantum yield by PSII and a higher capacity to dissipate excess energy photochemically and non-photochemically than untransformed plants. Preliminary data from field trials show that relative to untransformed plants, the grain yield is about 10-20% higher in selected PEPC and 30-35% higher in PPDK transgenic rice plants, due to increased tiller number. Taken together, these results suggest that introduction of C4 photosynthesis enzymes into rice has a good potential to enhance its tolerance to stress, photosynthetic capacity and yield.

Carbon Dioxide↗

PubMed2001

Japanese fermented soybean food as the major determinant of the large geographic difference in circulating levels of vitamin K2: possible implications for hip-fracture risk.

Increasing evidence indicates a significant role for vitamin K in bone metabolism and osteoporosis. In this study, we found a large geographic difference in serum vitamin K2 (menaquinone-7; MK-7) levels in postmenopausal women. Serum MK-7 concentrations were 5.26 +/- 6.13 ng/mL (mean +/- SD) in Japanese women in Tokyo, 1.22 +/- 1.85 in Japanese women in Hiroshima, and 0.37 +/- 0.20 in British women. We investigated the effect of Japanese fermented soybean food, natto, on serum vitamin K levels. Natto contains a large amount of MK-7 and is eaten frequently in eastern (Tokyo) but seldom in western (Hiroshima) Japan. Serum concentrations of MK-7 were significantly higher in frequent natto eaters, and natto intake resulted in a marked, sustained increase in serum MK-7 concentration. We analyzed the relation between the regional difference in natto intake and fracture incidence. A statistically significant inverse correlation was found between incidence of hip fractures in women and natto consumption in each prefecture throughout Japan. These findings indicate that the large geographic difference in MK-7 levels may be ascribed, at least in part, to natto intake and suggest the possibility that higher MK-7 level resulting from natto consumption may contribute to the relatively lower fracture risk in Japanese women.

Aged↗

PubMed2001

High level expression of C4-specific NADP-malic enzyme in leaves and impairment of photoautotrophic growth in a C3 plant, rice.

The chloroplastic NADP-malic enzyme (NADP-ME) is a key enzyme of the C4 photosynthesis pathway in NADP-ME type C4 plants such as maize. To express the chloroplastic NADP-ME in leaves of a C3 plant, rice, full-length cDNAs encoding the rice C3-specific isoform and the maize C4-specific isoform of the enzyme were expressed under the control of the rice CAB: promoter. Transformants carrying the rice cDNA showed the NADP-ME activities in the leaves less than several-fold that of non-transformants, while those carrying the maize cDNA showed activities up to 30-fold that of non-transformants or about 60% of the NADP-ME activity of maize leaves. These results indicate that expression of the rice C3-specific NADP-ME is suppressed at co- and/or post-transcriptional levels by some regulation mechanisms intrinsic to rice, while that of the foreign C4-specific isoform can escape from such suppression. The accumulation of the maize C4-specific NADP-ME led to bleaching of leaf color and growth hindrance in rice plants under natural light. These deteriorative effects resulted from enhanced photoinhibition of photosynthesis due to an increase in the level of NADPH inside the chloroplast by the action of the maize enzyme.

Gene Expression↗

PubMed2001

[Survey of consciousness of community residents regarding the community life of disabled persons with service dogs].

PURPOSE: Service dogs have received much attention as effective choices for promoting participation in society of disabled persons. The purpose of this study was to obtain the fundamental data to prepare guidelines regarding service dogs use in community life, by making clear the problems in terms of public health and community welfare through a survey of attitudes towards service dogs in community residents. METHODS: Study 1 was conducted as follows. The subjects were 423 community residents between their teens and seventies who participated in health and welfare lectures in 4 metropolitan areas. A questionnaire survey was conducted just after watching a promotion video about service dogs, including several items on aspects not accept, were anxious about or were unpleasant in the case of community life of a disabled person and a service dog. Study 2 was as follows. A questionnaire survey was conducted inside a supermarket in the central part of Tokyo. One group of subjects were 103 shopping customers who witnessed a shopping scene featuring a disabled person with her service dog, and the other subjects were 84 customers who were not witnessed to the scene. The same survey was simultaneously performed for impression about the shopping scene. RESULTS: Study 1 showed that 31.8% of all the respondents replied that they had some knowledge of service dogs before watching the video. A total of 20.4% (32.5% of the elderly) replied that there were places where service dogs should not enter. Concretely speaking, these included restaurants for 7.3-22.5% and medical institutions for 8.5-12.5% of the respondents. A third of all the respondents (51.3% of older persons) replied they could not endure some actions by service dogs, concretely "carrying food in the mouth" was highly pointed out by 27.3%. Zoonosis (15.3-19.0%), hair scattering (9.5-21.3%), injuries (4.4-7.4%) were also pointed out as main sources of anxiety or uncomfortable feelings. Such negative opinions were especially apparent among those aged 60 years and older. Also, 44.1% knew some disabled person. Cross tabulation showed those who had experience of taking care of a dog were significant less anxious about "vague anxiety or discomfort," and "zoonosis" than those who had not (P < 0.01). On the other hand, most of both witness (79.6%), and non-witness groups (81.0%) replied that it was heartwarming that the service dog assisted with shopping. None expressed discomfort about the presence of "service dog" inside the supermarket. In terms of carrying a commodity in the mouth, 92.2% and 89.1% in both groups replied that they don't mind, especially if safety was guaranteed for public health, and 91.3% and 95.2% in both groups replied that they had no other problems. Moreover, none of them would not entering stores. Significant differences were seldom in replies between the witness and non-witness groups. CONCLUSION: Although the respondents were extremely affirmative regarding the image of service dogs, it became clear that anxiety about public health aspects such as "zoonosis" or "utilization of medical institutions" was persisting. On the whole, negative opinions were more apparent in the elderly.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

Significant accumulation of C(4)-specific pyruvate, orthophosphate dikinase in a C(3) plant, rice.

The C(4)-Pdk gene encoding the C(4) enzyme pyruvate, orthophosphate dikinase (PPDK) of maize (Zea mays cv Golden Cross Bantam) was introduced into the C(3) plant, rice (Oryza sativa cv Kitaake). When the intact maize C(4)-Pdk gene, containing its own promoter and terminator sequences and exon/intron structure, was introduced, the PPDK activity in the leaves of some transgenic lines was greatly increased, in one line reaching 40-fold over that of wild-type plants. In a homozygous line, the PPDK protein accounted for 35% of total leaf-soluble protein or 16% of total leaf nitrogen. In contrast, introduction of a chimeric gene containing the full-length cDNA of the maize PPDK fused to the maize C(4)-Pdk promoter or the rice Cab promoter only increased PPDK activity and protein level slightly. These observations suggest that the intron(s) or the terminator sequence of the maize gene, or a combination of both, is necessary for high-level expression. In maize and transgenic rice plants carrying the intact maize gene, the level of transcript in the leaves per copy of the maize C(4)-Pdk gene was comparable, and the maize gene was expressed in a similar organ-specific manner. These results suggest that the maize C(4)-Pdk gene behaves in a quantitatively and qualitatively similar way in maize and transgenic rice plants. The activity of the maize PPDK protein expressed in rice leaves was light/dark regulated as it is in maize. This is the first reported evidence for the presence of an endogenous PPDK regulatory protein in a C(3) plant.

Chlorophyll↗

PubMed2000

Novel method to enhance sternal healing after harvesting bilateral internal thoracic arteries with use of basic fibroblast growth factor.

BACKGROUND: Poor healing of the sternum often limits the use of bilateral internal thoracic arteries (BITAs) in coronary bypass surgery, especially for diabetic patients. We have reported that basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) enhanced regeneration of the skull. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of topical use of bFGF on sternal healing after removing the BITAs. METHODS AND RESULTS: Forty-five Wistar rats were subjected to median sternotomy and were divided into 3 groups: 15 had the BITAs removed and had a bFGF sheet applied on the posterior table of the sternum (group A), 15 had just the BITAs removed (group B), and 15 had intact BITAs (group C). Five and 10 rats were euthanized 2 and 4 weeks after surgery, respectively, in all 3 groups. Peristernal blood flow, measured with use of a noncontact laser flowmeter, decreased after removal of the BITAs (P:<0.001). Four weeks after the surgery, PBF markedly increased only in group A (9.7+/-1.2, 6.5+/-0.6, and 8.2+/-0.5 mL x min(-1) x 100 g(-1) for groups A, B, and C, respectively; P:<0.01 by ANOVA). Four weeks after surgery, the following findings were obtained only in group A: (1) nearly completely healed sternum filled with regenerated bone tissue, (2) marked angiogenesis around the sternum, and (3) osteoblasts in an active form around the edge of the sternum. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that use of the bFGF sheet offset the sternal ischemia and accelerated sternal healing. This method may help to decrease sternal necrosis in high-risk patients or allow extended use of BITAs in coronary bypass surgery.

Administration, Topical↗

PubMed2000

Expression of the chloroplast-localized small heat shock protein by oxidative stress in rice.

A rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. Nakdong) cDNA clone, Oshsp26, encoding the chloroplast-localized small heat shock protein (smHSP) was isolated. Southern blot analysis of genomic DNA and the result of screening of a cDNA library indicated that the Oshsp26 gene is encoded by a single gene in the rice genome. The Oshsp26 gene was expressed following heat stress: the transcript level was highest when rice leaves were treated at high temperatures for 2h at 42 degrees C, and the transcripts became detectable after 20min and reached a maximum level after 2h. It was also found that the Oshsp26 gene was expressed following oxidative stress even in the absence of heat stress. Treatment of rice plants with methyl viologen (MV) in the light and treatment with hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), either in the light or in the dark, both caused a significant accumulation of the transcripts and the protein. Since MV treatment in the light leads to the generation of H(2)O(2) inside the chloroplast, it is likely that H(2)O(2) by itself acts to induce the expression of the Oshsp26 gene. These results suggest that the chloroplast smHSP plays an important role in protecting the chloroplast against damage caused by oxidative stress as well as by heat stress.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2000

Association of bone mineral density with polymorphism of the human calcium-sensing receptor locus.

A strong correlation between bone mass and genetic factors has been shown in twins and family studies. Some of the genes involved would regulate bone metabolism, bone formation, and resorption, all processes that determine bone mass. One candidate genes, calcium-sensing receptor (CASR) in the parathyroid gland, regulates calcium homeostasis by sensing decreases in extracellular calcium level and effecting an increase in secretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcium (Ca) reabsorption in the kidney. We have investigated a possible association between the CA-repeat polymorphism at the human CASR gene locus and the bone mineral density (BMD) of radial bone in 472 postmenopausal Japanese women. Genotypes were classified into nine groups according to the number of CA repeats present, from 20 to 12. BMD was expressed as the adjusted BMD, which was the body mass index (BMI), and age-adjusted average BMD. The 247 women who had an A3 allele (228 bp, containing 18 repeats of CA) had significantly lower adjusted BMD (mean +/- SD: 0.303 +/- 0.059 versus 0.316 +/- 0.063 g/cm(2); P = 0.0308) than the participants (n = 201) who did not carry an allele of that size. This result suggests that genetic variation at the CASR gene locus is associated with some determinants for BMD in postmenopausal women.

Aged↗

PubMed2000

Association of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphism with bone mineral density in postmenopausal Japanese women.

The pathogenesis of osteoporosis is controlled by genetic and environmental factors. Considering the high prevalence of osteoporosis in homocystinuria, abnormal homocysteine metabolism would contribute to the pathogenesis of osteoporosis. It is known that the polymorphism of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), the enzyme catalyzing the reduction of 5, 10-methylenetetrahydrofolate to 5-methyltetrahydrofolate, correlates with hyperhomocysteinemia. In this study, we examined the association of this polymorphism with bone mineral density (BMD). BMD was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in 307 postmenopausal women. MTHFR A/V polymorphism was analyzed using polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). We compared BMD, clinical characteristics, and bone metabolic markers among MTHFR groups (AA, AV, VV). The groups did not differ in terms of baseline data. The values of lumbar spine BMD and total body BMD were as follows: lumbar spine: AA, 0.91 +/- 0.18, AV, 0.88 +/- 0.16, VV, 0.84 +/- 0.14 g/cm(2); total body: AA, 0.97 +/- 0.11, AV, 0.96 +/- 0.11, VV, 0.93 +/- 0.09 g/cm(2). In the VV genotype, lumbar spine BMD values were significantly lower than those of the women with the AA genotype (P = 0.016) and total body BMD was significantly lower than those of the women with AA genotype (P = 0.03) and AV genotype (P = 0.04). This is the first report that suggests that the VV genotype of MTHFR is one of the genetic risk factors for low BMD.

Aged↗

PubMed2000

Association of bone mineral density with polymorphism of the human matrix Gla protein locus in elderly women.

The contribution of genetic factors has been implicated in the determination of bone mass in twin and family studies. Some of the genes involved would regulate bone metabolism, bone formation, and resorption, all processes that determine bone mass. One candidate gene matrix Gla protein gene (MGP), has been implicated in the pathogenesis of bone loss through a repression of bone formation. To analyze the genetic background for osteoporosis in elderly women, we have investigated a possible association between the CA repeat polymorphism at the human MGP gene locus and bone mineral density (BMD) of radial bone in 460 elderly Japanese women. Genotypes were classified into six groups according to the number of CA repeats present, from 13 to 18 (alleles A1 through A6). BMD was expressed as the adjusted BMD (ADJBMD), which was the body mass index (BMI)- and age-adjusted average BMD. The 214 women who lacked an A2 allele (212 bp, containing 17 repeats of CA) had significantly lower adjusted BMD than the participants (n = 246) who possessed an allele of that size (mean +/- SD; 0.303 +/- 0.062 vs 0.315 +/- 0.062 g/cm2; P = 0.0382). This result suggests that genetic variation at the MGP locus is associated with some determinants for BMD in elderly women. Therefore, this locus should serve as one of the genetic markers for osteoporosis.

Aged↗

PubMed2000

Identification of a novel polymorphism of estrogen receptor-alpha gene that is associated with calcium excretion in urine.

A novel variation of the estrogen receptor-alpha (ERalpha) gene was identified by polymerase chain reaction-single-strand conformational polymorphism (PCR-SSCP). It is one base substitution in codon 325 (CCC [allele M] to CCG [allele m]) in exon 4 of the human ERalpha gene. This substitution did not cause an amino acid change. We categorized 306 unrelated Japanese postmenopausal women into three genotypes: MM, Mm, and mm; the frequency of each genotype was 26.5%, 43.1%, and 30.4%, respectively. Then, the association of this polymorphism with bone mineral density (BMD) of lumbar spine and bone-calcium metabolic markers was studied. There was no significant difference in BMD of the lumbar spine or most of the bone metabolic markers. However, the urinary calcium (Ca) excretion ratio (u-Ca/Cre) corrected by creatinine was significantly lower in the genotype mm group compared with the genotype MM group (MM vs mm, 0.247 +/-0.158 vs 0.200 +/- 0.105; P < 0.05). We examined the relationship of restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) (PvuII, XbaI) in intron 1 and the polymorphism in exon 4. The frequency of genotype MM was higher in the genotype PPxx, which was reported to be associated with lower BMD in the same population of Japanese postmenopausal women. The ER polymorphism identified in this study might be related to some biological mechanisms that regulate calcium metabolism.

Bone Density↗

PubMed2000

Association of bone mineral density with a dinucleotide repeat polymorphism at the calcitonin (CT) locus.

Calcitonin (CT), a calcium-regulating hormone, lowers the calcium level in serum by inhibiting bone resorption. Because CT may play a role in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis, genetic variations in or adjacent to the CT gene may be associated with variations in bone mineral density (BMD). The present study examined the correlation between a dinucleotide (cytosine-adenine; CA) repeat polymorphism at the CT locus and BMD in 311 Japanese postmenopausal women (mean age, 64.1 years). Seven alleles were present in this population; each allele contained 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 CA repeats. Thus, we designated the respective genotypes A10, A11, A16, A17, A18, A19, and A20. The A10 and A17 alleles were the predominant alleles in the population studied. Z scores (a parameter representing deviation from the age-specific weight-adjusted average BMD) were compared between individuals that possessed one or two alleles of each genotype and those that did not possess the allele. Subjects who possessed one or two A10 alleles had lower BMD Z scores than those who did not (lumbar 2-4 BMD Z score; -0.148 +/- 1.23 vs 0.182 +/- 1.54; P = 0.04). No significant relationships were observed between allelic status and background data or biochemical parameters. The significant association observed between BMD and genetic variations at the CT locus implies that polymorphism at this locus may be a useful marker for the genetic study of osteoporosis.

Aged↗

PubMed2000

Differential diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome patients and snorers using cephalograms.

Severe snoring is thought by many to be an early stage of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), but the anatomical relation between snoring and OSAS, if any, has remained unclear. To compare the morphology of the airway between snorers and OSAS patients for possible similarities, we conducted a cephalometric analysis of Japanese OSAS patients (n=10), habitual snorers (n=10), and non-snoring controls (n=50). There was no significant difference in SNB (the angle formed by the sella, nasion and point B) between OSAS patients and the control subjects. Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome patients tended to have an anteriorly positioned maxilla, and an anteroposterior misalignment between the maxilla and mandible. There was also a tendency toward skeletal openbite. Both OSAS patients and snorers had large tongues and large soft palates, thus causing constriction of the airway with resultant smaller airway diameter and smaller airway surface area. Significant differences between OSAS patients and snorers were found in thickness and length of soft palate surface area, and thickness, length, and position of the hyoid bone. These results suggest that cephalographic measurements may be of considerable use in determining the seriousness of a patient's condition.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Neither IL-1beta, IL-1 receptor antagonist, nor TNF-alpha polymorphisms are associated with susceptibility to COPD.

The cytokines that contribute to airway inflammation, including interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), might have key roles in the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RN), the physiological antagonist of IL-1beta, is also known to play a crucial role in several chronic inflammatory diseases. In this study, we investigated the association of the polymorphisms of IL-1beta, IL-1RN and TNFalpha with susceptibility to COPD. To elucidate the genotype of the IL-1beta polymorphisms at position -511 base and at the amino acid residue 105, the IL-1RN polymorphism in intron 2, and TNFalpha polymorphism at position -308, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction enzyme fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) were performed on blood samples from both patients with COPD (n = 53) and control subjects (n = 65). There were no differences on the allele and genotype frequency of IL-1beta, IL-1RN, and TNFalpha between the two groups. We could not find a significant link between the polymorphism of TNFalpha, which was previously reported to be associated with chronic bronchitis, and COPD. Furthermore, no association between genetic polymorphisms of IL-1beta and IL-1RN and individual susceptibility to COPD was found.

Aged↗

PubMed2000

De novo formation of adipose tissue by controlled release of basic fibroblast growth factor.

De novo adipogenesis at the implanted site of a basement membrane extract (Matrigel) was induced through controlled release of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). bFGF was incorporated into biodegradable gelatin microspheres for its controlled release. When the mixture of Matrigel and bFGF-incorporated gelatin microspheres was implanted subcutaneously into the back of mice, a clearly visible fat pad was formed at the implanted site 6 weeks later. Histologic examination revealed that the de novo formation of adipose tissue accompanied with angiogenesis was observed in the implanted Matrigel at bFGF doses of 0.01, 0.1, and 1 microg/site, the lower and higher doses being less effective. The de novo formation induced by the bFGF-incorporated microspheres was significantly higher than that induced by free bFGF of the same dose. The mRNA of a lipogenesis marker protein, glycerophosphate dehydrogenase, was detected in the formed adipose tissues, biochemically indicating de novo adipogenesis. Free bFGF, the bFGF-incorporated gelatin microspheres, or Marigel alone and bFGF-free gelatin microspheres with or without Matrigel did not induce formation of adipose tissue. This de novo adipogenesis by mixture of Matrigel and the bFGF-incorporated gelatin microspheres will provide a new idea for tissue engineering of adipose tissue.

Adipocytes↗

PubMed2000

Bone formation at a rabbit skull defect by autologous bone marrow cells combined with gelatin microspheres containing TGF-beta1.

The objective of the present study is to investigate the addition effect of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 on the bone formation at a rabbit skull defect induced by autologous bone marrow (BM). Following application of gelatin microspheres containing TGF-beta1, with or without BM cells to skull bone defects, bone formation at the defect was assessed by soft X-ray, dual energy X-ray absorptometry (DEXA), and histological examinations. After implantation for 6 weeks, gelatin microspheres containing 0.05 microg of TGF-beta1 plus 10(6) of BM cells induced bone formation at the 6 mm diameter bone defect. The defect was histologically closed by newly formed bone tissue, whilst both gelatin microspheres containing 0.05 microg of TGF-beta1, and 10(6) and 10(7) of BM cells were ineffective. A DEXA experiment revealed that combination of gelatin microspheres containing TGF-beta1 with BM cells enhanced the bone mineral density at the skull defect to a significantly greater extent than other agents. These findings indicate that a combination of gelatin microspheres containing TGF-beta1 enabled BM cells to enhance the osteoinductive ability, resulting in bone formation even at the cell number at which BM cells alone were ineffective.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Controlled release of vascular endothelial growth factor by use of collagen hydrogels.

In vivo profile of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) release from collagen hydrogels was investigated comparing that of hydrogel degradation while angiogenesis induced by the released VEGF was assessed. Collagen sponges were chemically cross-linked with different amounts of glutaraldehyde for various time periods. When 125I-labeled collagen hydrogels incorporating VEGF were subcutaneously implanted into the back subcutis of mice, the hydrogel radioactivity decreased with time, the decrement profile depending on the cross-linking conditions. The radioactivity was retained for longer time periods as the glutaraldehyde concentration and cross-linking time increased. Implantation study of collagen hydrogels incorporating 125I-labeled VEGF revealed that the remaining VEGF radioactivity decreased with time and the retention period was prolonged with the decreased hydrogel biodegradation. The slower the hydrogel degradation, the longer the period of VEGF retention. The collagen hydrogel incorporating VEGF induced significant angiogenesis around the implanted hydrogel, in marked contrast to VEGF in the solution form and VEGF-free empty hydrogel. The retention period of angiogenesis became longer with a decrease of the in vivo degradation rate of hydrogels. It is possible that the slower degraded hydrogel achieves a longer period of VEGF release, resulting in prolonged angiogenetic effect. We concluded that in our hydrogel system, biologically-active VEGF was released as a result of in vivo degradation of the hydrogel.

Absorbable Implants↗

PubMed1999

Association of bone mineral density with a polymorphism of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma gene: PPARgamma expression in osteoblasts.

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) protein as well as its transcript was detected in primary osteoblasts derived from rat calvariae. To analyze the possible involvement of PPARgamma in the human bone metabolism, association between bone mineral density (BMD) and a polymorphism of PPARgamma gene was investigated in Japanese postmenopausal women. We examined a polymorphism corresponding to a silent C --> T transition located in exon 6 of the PPARgamma gene, that was previously reported to be associated with plasma leptin levels in the obese. The frequencies of the C and T alleles in the population studied here were 0.851 and 0.149, respectively. When we separated the subjects into two groups, one bearing at least one T allele (CT + TT) and the other which did not (CC), the former subjects had lower BMD (Z score of total body; 0.056 +/- 1.00. L2-4; -0.25 +/- 1.26, mean +/- standard deviation). These data suggest that there is an association between the restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of PPARgamma gene and BMD and the possible involvement of this single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the cause of postmenopausal osteoporosis in Japanese women.

Aged↗