TOKYO-- November 11, 2022 -- Kirin Holdings Company, Limited (Kirin Holdings) and Kao Corporation (Kao) will participate in the “Wakayama Health Promotion Study” cohort study[*1] led by Wakayama Medical University and compiled by the Health Promotion Research Center (HPRC), a non-profit organization, from this month. Kirin Holdings and Kao will jointly conduct research to investigate the relationship between visceral fat and the activity of plasma cytoid dendritic cells[*2] (pDCs), a key leader of the immune system, among others.
[*1] One of the observational research methods used to examine the association between disease factors and disease onset. A group of people involved in a specific disease factor and a group of people not involved in a specific disease factor are created, and the association between factors and disease onset can be examined by calculating the incidence of the target disease in each group.
[*2] Immune cells that play an important role as a key leader when bacteria or viruses enter the body. pDC activation activates various immune cells such as NK cells, T cells, and B cells to protect against viral infections.
Research Outline
1. Research theme
Research on genetic and environmental factors related to the development of lifestyle-related diseases among local residents in Wakayama Prefecture
2. Research Structure
Kirin Central Research Institute, Kirin Holdings Company, Limited
R&D-Health & Wellness Products Research, R&D-Biological Science Research , Kao Corporation
Wakayama Medical University
3. Targets
300 male and female adults residing in Wakayama Prefecture (planned)
Background
Obesity is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as “abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health,” leading to an increased risk of chronic diseases. The effects of obesity on health are being studied around the world; and in recent years, the link between obesity and immunity has been attracting attention, as obesity has been linked to more severe viral infections*3.
Objective
This research aims to elucidate the relationship between visceral fat and pDC activity by combining Kirin Holdings‘ more than 35 years of research capabilities in the field of immunology with Kao’s research capabilities in improving visceral fat accumulation, which is at the root of lifestyle-related diseases. The research will be conducted as an additional study to the “Wakayama Health Promotion Study,” which has been conducted on residents of Wakayama Prefecture since 2011.
This month, a specific health checkup will be conducted in Wakayama Prefecture for residents aged 40-55. Kao will collect data on lifestyle habits and the amount of visceral fat, while Kirin Holdings will collect data on the activity of dendritic cells, including pDCs, in the blood. These data will be mutually shared, and the relationship between visceral fat and pDC activity will be jointly studied and analyzed.
[*3] Int J Epidemiol. 2019;48(6):1783-1794.
https://doi.org/10.1093/ije/dyz129
Obes Rev. 2020;21(11):e13128.
https://doi.org/10.1111/obr.13128
What is the Wakayama Health Promotion Study?
This is a cohort study led by Wakayama Medical University since 2011 and currently being conducted in collaboration with HPRC, with the aim of identifying genetic and environmental factors involved in the development of various diseases among local residents in Wakayama Prefecture.
So far, research has been conducted on lifestyle and muscle mass, and a number of original papers on the relationship between muscle mass loss and the onset of arteriosclerosis have been published, as well as the relationship between a history of falling down and the amount of voluntary physical activity.
By clarifying the relationship between visceral fat mass and pDC activity through the HPRC study, Kirin and Kao will promote initiatives aimed at reducing health risks for consumers in the future.
