Chihiro Munekawa

Dr. Chihiro Munekawa

Kyoto Prefectural University, Kyōto, Japan

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

6Years (2021-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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1 January 2021 in Endocrine Journal
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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CMChihiro Munekawa
Chihiro Munekawa
YHYukako Hosomi
Yukako Hosomi
Yoshitaka HashimotoYoshitaka Hashimoto
Yoshitaka Hashimoto
TOTakuro Okamura
Takuro Okamura
FTFuyuko Takahashi
Fuyuko Takahashi
MFMichiaki Fukui
Michiaki Fukui
To investigate the acute effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the lifestyle and metabolic parameters in patients with type 2 diabetes mellites. This cross-sectional and retrospective cohort study induced 203 patients who completed a questionnaire regarding stress levels and lifestyles. Data regarding stress levels, sleep time, exercise, and total diet, snack, and prepared food intake were obtained from the questionnaires. The changes in the body weight or HbA1c levels were determined by comparing the values at the time the questionnaire was administered to those noted 3 months ago. Increased levels of stress and decreased exercise levels were reported in approximately 40% and >50%. During the COVID-19 pandemic. There was a negative correlation between stress and exercise (r = –0.285, p < 0.001) and a positive correlation between stress and prepared food intake (r = 0.193, p = 0.009). Decreased exercise levels (r = –0.33, p < 0.001) and increased snack consumption (r = 0.24, p = 0.002) were associated with increased body weight. Furthermore, increased total diet intake (r = 0.16, p = 0.031) was associated with increased HbA1c levels. These relationships remained significant for patients aged <65 years and patients who did not engage in regular exercise. Many patients experienced stress and lifestyle changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and these changes were associated with increased body weight and HbA1c levels.

8 October 2021 in Journal of Diabetes Investigation
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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CMChihiro Munekawa
Chihiro Munekawa
Hiroshi OkadaHiroshi Okada
Hiroshi Okada
Masahide HamaguchiMasahide Hamaguchi
Masahide Hamaguchi
MHMomoko Habu
Momoko Habu
KKKazushiro Kurogi
Kazushiro Kurogi
MFMichiaki Fukui
Michiaki Fukui
Aim/Introduction: As the association between a fasting glucose concentration of 90–99 mg/dL and the onset of type 2 diabetes is still controversial, we aimed to assess it in 37,148 Japanese individuals with a normal plasma glucose concentration.Materials and Methods: This long‐term retrospective cohort study included individuals having a medical checkup at Panasonic Corporation from 2008 to 2018. In total, 1,028 participants developed type 2 diabetes.Results: Cox regression analyses revealed that the risk for the onset of diabetes increased by 9.0% per 1 mg/dL increase in fasting plasma glucose concentration in subjects with the concentration ranging from 90 to 99 mg/dL. Compared with individuals with a fasting glucose concentration of ≤89 mg/dL, the adjusted hazard ratios for developing diabetes were 1.53 (95% CI; 1.22–1.91), 1.76 (95% CI; 1.41–2.18), 1.89 (95% CI; 1.52–2.35), 3.17 (95% CI; 2.61–3.84), and 3.41 (95% CI; 2.79–4.15) at fasting plasma glucose concentrations of 90–91, 92–93, 94–95, 96–97, and 98–99 mg/dL, respectively. In populations with obesity, the adjusted hazards ratios for developing diabetes were 1.56 (95% CI; 1.15–2.09), 1.82 (95% CI; 1.37–2.40), 2.05 (95% CI; 1.55–2.69), 3.53 (95% CI; 2.79–4.46), and 3.28 (95% CI; 2.53–4.22) at fasting plasma glucose concentrations of 90–91, 92–93, 94–95, 96–97, and 98–99 mg/dL, respectively.Conclusions: This study demonstrates that the risk of type 2 diabetes among subjects having a fasting plasma glucose concentration of 90–99 mg/dL, is progressively higher with an increasing level of fasting plasma glucose concentration in a Japanese people.

YHYuka Hasegawa
Yuka Hasegawa
TFTakahashi Fuyuko
Takahashi Fuyuko
Yoshitaka HashimotoYoshitaka Hashimoto
Yoshitaka Hashimoto
CMChihiro Munekawa
Chihiro Munekawa
YHYukako Hosomi
Yukako Hosomi
Michiaki FukuiMichiaki Fukui
Michiaki Fukui
Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic restrictions on the change in muscle mass in older patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), who were not infected with COVID-19. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, data were obtained from outpatients who underwent bioelectrical impedance analysis at least twice before April 2020 and at least once thereafter. Skeletal muscle mass index (SMI, kg/m2) was calculated as appendicular muscle mass (kg) divided by height squared (m2). Change in SMI (kg/m2/year) was calculated as (follow-up SMI—baseline SMI/follow-up period). The differences between the changes in SMI before and after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic were evaluated using paired t test. Results: This study recruited 56 patients, with a mean (SD) age of 75.2 (7.1) years. SMI changed from 6.7 (0.9) to 6.8 (0.9) kg/m2 before the COVID-19 pandemic, whereas SMI changed from 6.8 (0.9) to 6.6 (0.9) kg/m2 after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. SMI decreased after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic compared with before the pandemic (−0.117 (0.240) vs. 0.005 (0.289) kg/m2/year, p = 0.049). This decrease was observed in men (−0.159 (0.257) vs. 0.031 (0.325) kg/m2/year, p = 0.038), patients with poor glycemic control (−0.170 (0.264) vs. 0.031 (0.285) kg/m2/year, p = 0.042), and those with a long diabetes duration (−0.153 (0.229) vs. 0.082 (0.291) kg/m2, p = 0.049). Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic restrictions caused muscle mass loss in older patents with T2D. Actions, including recommendation of exercise and adequate diet intake, are needed to prevent loss of muscle mass.

5 January 2024 in Journal of the Endocrine Society
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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DIDan Imai
Dan Imai
NNNaoko Nakanishi
Naoko Nakanishi
NSNatsuko Shinagawa
Natsuko Shinagawa
SYShinta Yamamoto
Shinta Yamamoto
TITakahiro Ichikawa
Takahiro Ichikawa
Michiaki FukuiMichiaki Fukui
Michiaki Fukui
Context Branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) are substrates for protein synthesis. Although their intake may contribute to an increase in skeletal muscle mass, elevated serum BCAA levels have been reported to be associated with insulin resistance, potentially resulting in decreased skeletal muscle mass. Objective This study aimed to explore the association between elevated serum BCAA levels and longitudinal skeletal muscle loss. Design and Setting A cohort analysis was conducted, in which serum amino acids were analyzed in healthy individuals who underwent a medical health checkup at Kameoka Municipal Hospital (HOZUGAWA study), Japan. Patients Seventy-one participants (37 men and 34 women) underwent follow-up checkups after the baseline visit. The follow-up duration was 1.2 ± .4 years. Main Outcome Measures The relationship between fasting baseline serum BCAA levels and lifestyle factors, body composition, blood test results, dietary history, and changes in skeletal muscle mass was evaluated. Results In both men and women, serum BCAA levels were positively correlated with body weight, body mass index, skeletal muscle mass index (SMI), and serum triglycerides but inversely correlated with serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. In men, fasting serum BCAA levels were inversely associated with the rate of change in SMI (adjusted β = −.529, P = .006), and elevated BCAA levels were independently associated with a longitudinal decrease in skeletal muscle mass (odds ratio: 1.740; 95% confidence interval: 1.023-2.960 per 50 nmol/mL serum BCAAs increase). Conclusion Increased circulating BCAAs could be an indicator of skeletal muscle loss in men.

13 September 2024 in Nutrients
Verified
Journal Article
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CMChihiro Munekawa
Chihiro Munekawa
TOTakuro Okamura
Takuro Okamura
SMSaori Majima
Saori Majima
RBRiver Budau
River Budau
SKSayaka Kawai
Sayaka Kawai
Michiaki FukuiMichiaki Fukui
Michiaki Fukui
Background: Sarcopenic obesity, which is associated with a poorer prognosis than that of sarcopenia alone, may be positively affected by soy isoflavones, known inhibitors of muscle atrophy. Herein, we hypothesize that these compounds may prevent sarcopenic obesity by upregulating the gut metabolites with anti-inflammatory effects. Methods: To explore the effects of soy isoflavones on sarcopenic obesity and its mechanisms, we employed both in vivo and in vitro experiments. Mice were fed a high-fat, high-sucrose diet with or without soy isoflavone supplementation. Additionally, the mouse C2C12 myotube cells were treated with palmitic acid and daidzein in vitro. Results: The isoflavone considerably reduced muscle atrophy and the expression of the muscle atrophy genes in the treated group compared to the control group (Fbxo32, p = 0.0012; Trim63, p < 0.0001; Foxo1, p < 0.0001; Tnfa, p = 0.1343). Elevated levels of daidzein were found in the muscles and feces of the experimental group compared to the control group (feces, p = 0.0122; muscle, p = 0.0020). The real-time PCR results demonstrated that the daidzein decreased the expression of the palmitate-induced inflammation and muscle atrophy genes in the C2C12 myotube cells (Tnfa, p = 0.0201; Il6, p = 0.0008; Fbxo32, p < 0.0001; Hdac4, p = 0.0002; Trim63, p = 0.0114; Foxo1, p < 0.0001). Additionally, it reduced the palmitate-induced protein expression related to the muscle atrophy in the C2C12 myotube cells (Foxo1, p = 0.0078; MuRF1, p = 0.0119). Conclusions: The daidzein suppressed inflammatory cytokine- and muscle atrophy-related gene expression in the C2C12 myotubes, thereby inhibiting muscle atrophy.

26 March 2022 in Medicina
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
CMChihiro Munekawa
Chihiro Munekawa
Yoshitaka HashimotoYoshitaka Hashimoto
Yoshitaka Hashimoto
NKNoriyuki Kitagawa
Noriyuki Kitagawa
TOTakafumi Osaka
Takafumi Osaka
Masahide HamaguchiMasahide Hamaguchi
Masahide Hamaguchi
Michiaki FukuiMichiaki Fukui
Michiaki Fukui
The BMDs of the lumbar spine, whole femur, and femoral neck and TBS were measured. Change in BMD or TBS was defined as the BMD or TBS at follow-up, performed 1 year after baseline, minus baseline BMD or TBS. Results: This retrospective cohort study included 93 patients, of whom 52 received no medication, 26 received bisphosphonates, and 15 received weekly teriparatide. BMD of the lumbar spine increased in all three groups. There was no change in BMD of the whole femur and femoral neck in the no medication and bisphosphonates groups, whereas the BMD of the whole femur (from 0.73 (0.15) to 0.74 (0.15) g/cm2, p = 0.011) and femoral neck (from 0.59 (0.16) to 0.60 (0.16) g/cm2, p = 0.011) in the teriparatide group increased. The change in BMD of the femoral neck (no medication; −0.002 (0.034) g/cm2, bisphosphonates; −0.0001 (0.024) g/cm2, and teriparatide; 0.017 (0.022) g/cm2, p = 0.091) or TBS (no medication; −0.007 (0.051), bisphosphonates; −0.058 (0.258), and teriparatide; 0.021 (0.044), p = 0.191) in the teriparatide group tended to be higher than that in the other groups, although there was no statistically significant difference. Conclusions: Teriparatide increased the BMD of the femoral neck and TBS in osteoporosis patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, compared to bisphosphonates and no medication.