Akikazu Takada

Hamamatsu University School of Medicine

Dr. Takada graduated in 1961. from the Keio University School of Medicine, MD. In 1966 he received his Ph.D. degree from the same University, and soon after that became a research fellow of New York State Roswell Park Memorial Institue. In 1972 he became an assistant professor at the Department of Experimental Pathology, New York State University at Buffalo, and in 1975 he became a professor and chairman of the Department of Physiology, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine. In 2001 he became the Professor Emeritus of Hamamatsu University. From 2000 to 20014 he served as a chairman of Asia-pacific Society of Thrombosis and Hemostasis, and in 2004 he was named the honorary chairman of Asia-Pacific Society of Thrombosis and Hemostasis.

2chapters authored

Chapters authored

Measurement of Plasma Tryptophan Metabolites: Clinical and Experimental Application for Depression and Stress States Assessment

By Akikazu Takada, Fumiko Shimizu and Junichi Masuda

There are three pathways in tryptophan (TRP) metabolism. Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) pathway is important in mood, anxiety, memory, and cognition and is impaired in depression. Kynurenine (KYN) pathways are involved in immunity, inflammation, muscles movement, and mental health. We investigated changes in TRP metabolites in plasmas of stressed rats and in depressive patients. TRP metabolite levels in 5-HT and KYN pathways in various brain areas and plasma were increased soon after electric foot shock given to rats but returned to normal 24 h later. Plasma levels of 5-HT were very low or undetectable in patients of monopolar depression. 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-HIAA)/TRP ratios or KYN/TRP ratios were not different between healthy controls and depressive patients, indicating 5-HT quickly being degraded into 5-HIAA in patients of depression but KYN levels were not changed in depression. These results indicate that TRP metabolism changes upon stress application and in patients of depression.

Part of the book: Melatonin

Roles of Trans and ω Fatty Acids in Health; Special References to Their Differences between Japanese and American Old Men

By Akikazu Takada, Fumiko Shimizu and Shinji Koba

Omega and trans-fatty acids play important roles in atherogenesis of vascular system. In this review, we discuss such roles in health; there are much differences in coronary heart disease (CHD) rates between the US and Japan. Fatty acids profiles in the plasma are related to risks of CHD. There have been few studies that compared plasma levels of fatty acids, including trans-fatty acids, in people in Japan and the US. Plasma levels of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids (docosahexaenoic acid [DHA] and eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA]) were higher in Japanese men, and omega-6 fatty acids (e.g., arachidonic acid [AA]) were lower compared with American men. American people had higher plasma levels of the major industrially produced trans-fatty acids (IP-TFAs; elaidic and inoelaidic acids), and levels of the potentially cardioprotective, primarily ruminant-derived trans-fatty acid, palmitoelaidic acid (POA) were higher in Japanese men. Plasma levels of saturated or monounsaturated fatty acids were also higher in American men. Only intakes of preference drinks have significant correlation with plasma levels of palmitoelaidic acid and linoelaidic acid. The higher levels of DHA and EPA, along with the lower levels of the IP-TFAs, are consistent with the markedly lower risk for coronary heart disease in Japan vs. the US.

Part of the book: Visions of Cardiomyocyte

Akikazu Takada

Chapters authored

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