Showing papers by "Kazuo Hara published in 2005"

Adiponectin: an adipokine linking adipocytes and type 2 diabetes in humans.

Abstract: Adipocyte-derived adiponectin is an insulin-sensitizing and antiatherosclerotic hormone, and replenishment of adiponectin in animal models ameliorated insulin resistance and atherosclerosis. In humans, recent studies have demonstrated that adiponectin level is a good predictor of developing type 2 diabetes and coronary artery disease. Decreasing level of adiponectin is caused by the interaction between genetic factors, such as single nucleotide polymorphisms in the adiponectin gene, and environmental factors, such as high-fat diet. Agents that increase blood level of adiponectin or enhance the actions of adiponectin can be an ideal medicine for ameliorating insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.

Absence of an association between the polymorphisms in the genes encoding adiponectin receptors and type 2 diabetes

Abstract: Aims/hypothesis Secreted by adipocytes, adiponectin is a hormone that acts as an antidiabetic and anti-atherogenic adipokine. We recently cloned the genes encoding two adiponectin receptors (ADIPOR1 and ADIPOR2). The aim of this study was to examine whether ADIPOR1 and/or ADIPOR2 play a major role in genetic susceptibility to insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes in the Japanese population.

Genetic variants in the calpain-10 gene and the development of type 2 diabetes in the Japanese population.

Abstract: Variation in the gene encoding the cysteine protease calpain-10 has been linked and associated with risk of type 2 diabetes. We have examined the effect of three polymorphisms in the calpain-10 gene (SNP-43, Indel-19, and SNP-63) on the development of type 2 diabetes in the Japanese population in a pooled analysis of 927 patients and 929 controls. We observed that SNP-43, Indel-19, and SNP-63 either individually or as a haplotype were not associated with altered risk of type 2 diabetes with the exception of the rare 111/221 haplogenotype (odds ratio (OR) =3.53, P=0.02). However, stratification based on the median age-at-diagnosis in the pooled study population (<50 and ≥50 years) revealed that allele 2 of Indel-19 and the 121 haplotype were associated with reduced risk in patients with later age-at-diagnosis (age-at-diagnosis ≥50 years OR=0.82 and 0.80, respectively; P=0.04 and 0.02). Thus, variation in the calpain-10 gene may affect risk of type 2 diabetes in Japanese, especially in older individuals.

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase genes might predict the risk of side-effects of estramustine phosphate sodium in prostate cancer patients.

Abstract: Background: Estramustine phosphate sodium (EMP) frequently causes side-effects such as gastrointestinal discomfort, nausea, and edema in extremities. We analyzed single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD17B) genes, which are involved in the metabolism of EMP, to predict the risk of EMP side-effects in prostate cancer patients. Methods: We performed genotyping of SNP in the HSD17B genes of 44 Japanese patients with newly diagnosed prostate cancer. The association of SNP and individual EMP side-effects was evaluated. Results: Peripheral edema occurred more frequently in patients with C/C genotype of IMS-JST123219 than in those with C/G genotype (OR: 5.47, 95% CI: 1.27–23.64). Haplotype analysis showed that appetite loss was associated with the G allele of IMS-JST123219 and the T allele of IMS-JST123218 (OR: 9.13, 95% CI: 1.15–72.76). Conclusions: These preliminary data demonstrated that analyses of SNP in the HSD17B genes might predict the occurrence of side-effects from EMP.