The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the UCP3 promoter -55 C/T single nucleotide polymorphism (UCP3 -55 C/T SNP) was associated with obesity according to the criteria for Japanese (BMI >= 25 kg/m(2)), BMI, and serum HDL-C levels in the general Japanese population. The subjects, numbering 282 and aged 65 +/- 13 years (mean +/- SD), were recruited through an annual health check-up of residents of Mima city, Tokushima, in Japan. Body mass index, blood pressure, biochemical indexes including lipid, and lipoprotein profiles were measured. The UCP3 -55 C/T SNP was determined with a fluorescence-based allele-specific DNA primer assay system.

The frequency of the -55 T allele was 30.0%. Subjects with the T/T genotype had significantly BAY 57-1293 chemical structure higher HDL-C levels than those with the C/C genotype or the C/T genotype. Furthermore, subjects with the T/T genotype had a significantly lower BMI than those with the C/C genotype. A multivariate analysis revealed that the -55 T allele was a significant independent variable contributing S3I-201 to the variance in HDL-C levels and BMI. The T/T genotype was associated with a lower prevalence of obesity than the C/C and

C/T genotypes, with an odds ratio of 0.358 (95% confidence interval, 0.132-0.972; P = .037). In conclusion, the UCP3 -55 C/T SNP was associated with elevated HDL-C levels and a reduced BMI, independent of modifiable factors such as lifestyle. Furthermore, this polymorphism, when expressed in its homozygous form, reduced the prevalence of obesity in Japanese. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc.

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“Background. Advances in intestinal transplantation (ITx) have resulted in improved survival and the opportunity to examine nutritional outcomes. The aim of this study was to describe detailed, long-term nutritional results and identify positive predictors of growth and weight gain following pediatric ITx.\n\nMethods. A single-center retrospective, Institutional Review Board-approved review of a prospective database was conducted. Inclusion criteria were ITx recipients 18 years or younger with survival of 6 months or more. Outcomes included anthropometric measurements and biochemical markers at 6, 12, find more 24, 36, and 48 months post-ITx. More than 25 ITx-related variables were analyzed as potential predictors of growth and weight gain. Statistical analysis was performed using chi-square test, t test, and analysis of variance.\n\nResults. Between November 1991 and April 2007, 50 children received 55 ITx; 33 patients met eligibility criteria. Median age at ITx was 2.2 years, follow-up time was 3.8 years, and time from ITx to cessation of total parenteral nutrition was 31 days. The most common micronutrient deficiencies post-ITx were zinc, iron, and copper. Serum protein levels improved significantly over time.