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A Joint Research Agreement (JRA) on the Characterization and Evaluation of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture was made in June 2015 between the National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences (NIAS) of Japan and the Nepal Agricultural Research Council of Nepal. All obligations and rights of the NIAS under the JRA were transferred to the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), owing to the merger of the NARO and NIAS in April 2016. Based on the agreement, the first collaborative survey for Amaranthus and Capsicum genetic resources in Nepal was carried out from 12th to 23rd February 2016 in the districts of Rasuwa, Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, and Kavre in the Central Development Region. During the survey, a total of 88 samples were collected, including 15 Amaranthus samples and 42 samples of Capsicum samples. These materials were conserved in the gene bank of Nepal. Using the Standard Material Transfer Agreement (SMTA), a subset of the 87 samples, with the exception of an Oryza sativa L. sample, was transferred to NARO gene bank in Japan., 2015年6月に国立研究開発法人農業生物資源研究所ジーンバンクとネパール農業研究評議会との間で交わされた共同研究契約に基づき，アマランサス属およびトウガラシ属を主な対象とした第１回目の植物遺伝資源共同探索調査を2016年2月12日から23日にかけてネパール中西部開発地区（ラリトプール，ラスワ，バクタプール，カブレおよびカトマンズの5郡）において実施した．本探索では，対象作物の他にも幅広く作物遺伝資源を収集し，合計88点の種子を収集した．これらの遺伝資源のうち，アマランサス属は15点，トウガラシ属は42点であった．収集した遺伝資源はネパール国立農業遺伝資源センターのジーンバンクに保存するとともに，イネ1点を除いた88点については，半量を標準材料移転契約 (SMTA) に基づいて農研機構・遺伝資源センターのジーンバンクに保存した．

論文(Article)

The purpose of this 10-year follow-up study is to survey a Tibetan immigrant people living at Jawalakhel Refugee Camp, located about 6 km south of the center of Kathmandu, and to compare the residents physical condition in 1999 with that in 1990. A total of 148 men and 261 women, aged 20 to 85 years, participated in 1999 (the 99-study). To compare the 99-study with the one carried out in 1990 (the 90-study), similar methods were used. The results are summarized as follows: (1) The weight, body mass index (BMD and %Fat in both men and women were significantly greater than those in the 90-study. (2) The maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) was significantly lower in the 99-study in both sexes. (3) The average energy intake was 2,252 kcal/day in men and 1,922 kcal/day in women in the 99-study, both of which were significantly lower in the 90-study. (4) The estimated average daily salt and potassium intake for both sexes was about 13-14 g and 1.9-2.0 g, respectively, almost identical with that of the 90-study. (5) The average systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were approximately 9-5 mmHg and 8 mmHg higher in the 99-study than in the 90-study in both sexes. (6) The average serum cholesterol was 179 mg/dl in men and 182 mg/dl in women, both of which were significantly higher than in the initial study. The significant differences in body composition such as BMI and %Fat, VO2max and nutrient intake between the 90- and the 99-study may account for the significant SBP and DBP elevation in men and women in the present study, even when due regard is taken of the different age distributions of the two studies. As in the 90-study, the amount of the salt intake, itself, did not seem to be a major factor in the elevated BP in the 99-study.

The aim of this study is to investigate the significance of the sodium (Na), potassium (K), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) intake on the genesis of hypertension in five different areas in Nepal. A total of 1,115 men and 1,152 women (20-85 years) were recruited for this study from five different areas; i.e. hilly villagers (Kotyang: 206 men, 212 women), suburban villagers (Bhadrakali: 265, 244), Tibetan immigrants (Jawalakhel: 242, 306) and mountain villagers (Mustang: 229, 212 and Helambu: 173, 178). Similar medica1, nutritional and anthropometrical procedures were performed on each group. The blood pressure (BP) was measured using a semiautomated device. The 24-h urinary Na and K excretions were calculated using a simple method developed by us. The 24-h urinary Ca and Mg excretions were estimated using the predicted 24-h creatinine values. A forward stepwise multiple linear regression analysis was used for the statistical method to assess the relationship of seven variables (age, BMI, sex, and urinary Na, K, Ca and Mg excretions) with the systolic and diastolic BP. The prevalence of hypertension ranged from 0 to 47% in 5 areas, and was found to be the lowest in Kotyang and the highest in Helambu. The daily salt consumption was estimated to be between 12 and 15g. The systolic BP and/or diastolic BP were significantly and positively associated with age, BMI, urinary Na and Ca excretions, while a significantly negative correlation was observed for the urinary K and Mg based on a multiple regression analysis. These results suggest that, in addition to the age and the body composition, not only the salt intake, but the intakes of K, Mg and Ca as well may also contribute to the genesis of hypertension in Nepalese inhabitants., 1987年以来続けてきているネパール健康科学調査の中から，生活環境や食生活に特徴のある5地区の20歳以上の健康な住民2,267名を対象に，高血圧関連要因としてのミネラル(Na・K・Ca・Mg)摂取量の意義を明らかにすることを目的として，簡便法を用いた尿中排泄量から推定したミネラル摂取量を主体に，血圧との関わりを重回帰分析を用いて検討した。各地区の調査はすべて同一方法で行い，各々の検査はほとんど同じ検者が担当した。1)高血圧の頻度は0%から47%まで地区によって著しい差がみられた。2)1日食塩摂取量は12〜15gで，著しい地域差はなかった。3)肥満度，身体活動量には地域差がみられた。4)血圧には，年齢・肥満度に加えて尿中Na排泄量が強く正に関わっていた。5)また血圧には尿中Ca排泄量が正に，尿中Mg排泄量は負に関わっており，その比(Ca/Mg)は血圧と正に関わっていた。6)尿中K排泄量は血圧に強く負に関わっている地域もあったが，全体でみるとそれほど強い関わりは認められなかった。今後，高血圧の非薬物療法あるいはlifestyle modificationの中で，高血圧とミネラルの関わり，すなわち食生活は益々重要視されていくと思われる。

The purpose of this study was to investigate the physical characteristics and maximal aerobic power (MAP) of the Thakali tribe, which lives in the mountainous area of the Mustang district, in the Western region of Nepal. A total of 222 males and 209 females, aged from 20 to 80, participated in this study. The measurements of their physique were carried out for body height, body weight and skinfold thickness (triceps, subscapular, suprailiac, umbilical and calf). The percentage of body fat(%Fat) was calculated by the equation of Nagamine using the skinfold thickness, body weight and body surface area. MAP was estimated by Margaria's indirect method. No age-group difference in the mean body height(male; 159.9±6. 0-163.4±7.3cm, female; 150.8±5.5-153.1±5.2cm) was found in this group, and these values were similar to those for other groups in the mountain areas of Nepal. The mean body weight, skinfold thickness, %Fat and the appearance rate of obesity in the male middle-aged groups were significantly larger than those of the younger groups. Although the energy intake per day in this group was lower than that for other rural groups in Nepal, the %Fat and the appearance rate of obesity in the middle-aged were higher than those of the rural groups and were similar to those of the sedentary group in Nepal. In females, no significant differences in the mean body weight, skinfold thickness, (%h~at or the appearance rate of obesity were found between the Thakali tribe and other groups of mountain villagers, but the rates were higher than in other rural groups in Nepal. The mean MAPS of the Thakali males were almost at the same levels as those of the rural group of the Nepal in all age groups, but those in the younger female group were lower than those of the rural groups. It is thus considered that the fatty body composition in the aged male group and lower physical fitness in the younger female group may be due to their physically inactive lifestyle, professions as hotel owner, shopkeeper or shop assistant, etc., ネパール上国のWesten Region, Mustang DistrictのTukucheおよびMurpha村を中心とする20歳以上のタカリ族の男性222名，女性209名の形態および推定最大酸素摂取量(MAP)を調査した。これらの調査値を1981年の同地区の調査値および他の地区住民の調査値と比較して検討した。1)身長は男女とも世代差が認められず，1981年の調査値とも差が認められなかった。約10年間の間に住民の社会経済的変化は起こっているであろうが，その変化は，身長に影響を与えるほど大きな変化ではないと考えられた。そしてタカリ族の身長は，チベット系住民やシェルパ族とも差がないと思われる。2)体重，皮下脂肪厚，体脂肪率および肥満者の出現率は，1981年に比べ多くなっていた。また男性では，若年に比べて中高年者が大きい傾向にあった。そしてこれらの値は，男性ではチベット難民キャンプの住民と，女性ではネパール北東部のシェルパ族とほぼ同様であった。摂取エネルギーは必ずしも多くないにも関わらず，体重や体脂肪などは自給自足的な丘陵地農民や都市近郊農民より大きかった。3)男性のMAPは必ずしも低くなく，シェルパ族や丘陵地農民と大差が認められなかった。女性では世代間のMAPの差は大きくなく，それは20歳代の低体力化の影響によると考えられた。20歳代の値は，座業的なチベット難民キャンプの20歳代や日本人と大差が認められず，他のネパール集団のそれより低かった。

Objective : The purpose of this study is to investigate the genesis of hypertension in the mountain inhabitants who are taking salt tea and buckwheat as the main foods habitually and are living at about 2,500-2,850 meters above sea level in the Mustang District of Nepal. Subjects and Methods : A total of 229 men and 212 women of the Thakali tribe, aged from 20 to 80, participated in this study. Medical, nutritional, physical and anthropometric procedures were performed in the same manner as in our previous Nepal study. Results : (1) Average systolic and diastolic blood pressure were 127/83 mmHg for men and 124/80 mmHg for women, respectively. (2) The incidence of hypertension, including borderline hypertensives, was 25.1% for men and 20.5% for women, respectively. (3) Fifty-seven percent of men and 75% of women took salt tea habitually, and 64% of them took buckwheat as the main foods. (4) Estimated average salt intake was approximately 14-15g/day. (5) Systolic and diastolic blood pressure was statistically significantly associated with age, body mass index and urinary Na excretion, positively, and with urinary K excretion, negatively, by means of multiple regression analysis. (6) Urinary K excretion was significantly and positively associated with buckwheat intake by multiple regression analysis. Conclusions : These results suggest that buckwheat intake might bring about lower blood pressure levels in the Thakali tribe., 標高2，700m前後のMustang地区住民(Thakali族)441名(男性229名:平均年齢40歳，女性212名:同じく41歳)を対象に，過去においてネパールのほかの地区で行ってきた調査と同一方法を用いて医学，栄養学，形態・体力学的調査を行い，血圧関連要因について検討した。1)Mustang地区住民の血圧は明らかに低値を示し，男性の平均値は127/83mmHg，女性では124/80mmHgであった。境界域高血圧を含めた高血圧の頻度は，男性が25.1%，女性では20.5%であった。2)推定尿中Na排泄量はネパール調査の他の地区と大きな差がなく，平均値は男性248，女性225mEq/dayであり，尿中K排泄量は68および63mEq/dayであった。3)Mustang地区住民は蕎麦を主食として摂取していた。4)尿中K排泄量には蕎麦が有意に正に関わっていた。5)血圧関連因子として，これまでわれわれが報告してきたように，年齢のほかに肥満度や食塩摂取量が有意に正に関与したが，尿中K排泄量も強く負に関与しており，蕎麦との関わりが示唆された。

The mountain villagers taking 'Tibetan tea' habitually, which is made from rock salt, butter and tea, seem to consume a larger amount of salt than the hilly (Kotyang) villagers. We investigated the mountain villagers living at or above 2,600 meters above sea level in Helambu District. A total of 173 men and 178 women, aged from 20 to 85, participated in this study. To compare this with the previous Kotyang's investigation, the similar methods were applied. The results are summarized as follows: (1) The height of the mountain villagers was taller and the weight heavier than those of the hilly villagers. The body mass index and the percentage body fat(%Fat) were significantly greater in the former than in the latter. (2) Maximal oxygen uptake was similar to that of the hilly villagers after the adjustment for age. (3) Fat energy ratio was 22% and animal fat ratio was approximately 45%, half of which were taken from 'Tibetan tea'. (4) Average daily salt intake was about 13-15g/day, lower than expected. (5) The incidences of borderline hypertension and hypertension were 15.0% and 31.8% in men, and 12.9% and 33.7% in women, respectively, and significantly increased with age. The body composition, the incidence of hypertension and nutritient intake were all quite different from those of the hilly villagers. The mountain villagers consumed a larger amount of salt than the hilly villagers, and the correlation between the salt intake and blood pressure was significantly and positively detected by multiple regression analysis. The fat intake was also significantly correlated with blood pressure positively, and fiber and potassium negatively. These results suggest that the blood pressure may be influenced by physical activity, fat-free mass and nutrient intakes in addition to the amount of salt intake and that extremely low %Fat, low animal fat intake and physical activity could serve to mute the influence of relatively high salt intakes of the hilly villagers.

To Investigate the nutritional condition in Helambu people living in the mountain area in Nepal, we carried out the nutrition survey using the 24-hour recall method in 342 subjects(170 men and 172 women, aged from 20 to 84). Their usual daily diet mainly consisted of rice, sanba, Tarukali and Tibetan tea. The average daily consumption of the Tibetan tea was 1,220 ml in men and 1,370 ml in women, respectively, and the amount of the tea consumption was similar in each age-group. The Tibetan tea was found to be rich in both saturated and mono-unsaturated fatty acid, especially in oleinic acid, and no poly-unsaturated fatty acid was detected. Nine % of total energy was taken from protein, 20-25% from fat and 66-72% from carbohydrate. Animal protein and animal fat ratios were 7% and 63%, respectively. The fat intake was significantly positively correlated with LDL-cholesterol and the saturated fatty acid with HDL-cholesterol, but no relation was observed between saturated fatty acid and LDL-cholesterol. These results suggest that the Tibetan tea may be one of the important nutritional foods for Helambu people.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the physical characteristics and maximal aerobic power in the Tibetan immigrants living in the suburban district of Nepal. The subjects of this survey were 242 males and 306 females, aged 20 to 79 years old. Measurement for physique was carried out on the body height, body weight and skinfold thickness (triceps, subscapular, suprailiac, umbilical). The percentage body fat(%Fat) was estimated from skinfold thickness, body weight and body surface area by the equation of Nagamine. Maximal aerobic power(MAP) was estimated by Margaria's method. The mean height of the Tibetan immigrants was higher than those of Nepalese groups living in suburban and rural districts in both sexes. The mean body weight, skinfold thickness at any measured points and %Fat of the Tibetan immigrants in every age group and both sexes were also significantly higher than those of other Nepalese groups. The intakes of energy per day were significantly lower in the Tibetan immigrants than in the suburban and rural groups. In female, no significant differences in the mean MAP were found between the Tibetan immigrants and other Nepalese groups. In male, the mean MAPs of the Tibetan immigrant were almost the same level as those of the suburban group of the Nepalese in all age groups, but significantly lower than those of the rural group. These results suggest that fatty body composition and lower physical fitness of the Tibetan immigrant may be due to their physically inactive life style.

The purpose of the the present study(the Third Japan-Nepal Health Scientific Cooperative Study) was to investigate the health status of the Tibetan immigrants living in a Tibeta Refugee Camp located in the suburban district of Kathmandu in Nepal. They immigrated from Tibet more than 30 years ago, and have been habitually taking Tibetan tea which was made from rock salt, butter and tea as yet. A total of 548 (242 men and 306 women), aged from 20 to 85, participated in the study. Half of the men and two third of the women worked as weavers at a factory of Tibetan carpet products. Blood pressure of the men was 125+-21/78+-16 mmHg and of the women 118+-19/72+-13 mmHg, respectively, increased with age statistically. The incidences of borderline hypertension and hypertension in the Tibetans were 12.8% and 15.3% for men and 7.5% and 6.9% for women, respectively, not so high as compared with those in the Japanese. Average salt intake was approximately 12-13 g/day, which was slightly higher than that of the Japanese. Although the Tibetan immigrants consumed relatively high amounts of salt, the association between salt intake and the blood pressure was not clearly detected by the partial correlation coefficients, suggesting that the blood pressure may be influenced by age, fat-free mass and the nutrient consumption rather than by the high salt intake in the Tibetan immigrants investigated.

The aims of the second health scientific expedition in Nepal were to investigate the blood pressure, salt intake and blood chemistries in the winter season of 1990 in the representative hilly and the suburban village and to compare them with those in the summer of 1987 by means of the same protocol and the same methods. Five hundred and seventy subjects, 160 men and 150 women in the hilly village (Kotyang) and 127 men and 133 women in the suburban village (Bhadrakali), participated in the medical survey. Their age was between 20 and 85 years. Approximately 40% of them received the medical check both in 1987 and 1990. 1) Body weight and body mass index(BMI) for men and women increased significantly in both villages. 2) Systolic(S) and diastolic(D) blood pressure(BP) were significantly lower in the men and the women in Kotyang than in Bhadrakali, and was significantly higher in the winter of 1990 than in the summer of 1987. Both SBP and DBP in Kotyang's men and DBP in Bhadrakali's women did not increase with age. 3) The incidence of hypertension was 5.0% and 6.7% for men and women in Kotyang, and 28.3% and 15.0% in Bhadrakali, respectively. 4) Salt intake estimated from the second morning voiding urine specimen was 10-12 g/day in Kotyang and 13-14 g/day in Bhadrakali, respectively. It significantly increased in the latter as compared with that in the summer of 1987. 5) Policythemia and remarkable eosinophilia were detected in both villages. 6) Serum lipids significantly increased in the winter of 1990, especially in Kotyang. These results suggest that the changes in physical findings such as BMI, blood pressure, blood chemistries including serum lipids were influenced by the seasonal difference as well as the difference of the nutritional intakes.

2009