TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Kirin Holdings Company, Limited (TOKYO:2503) and Kao Corporation (TOKYO:4452) will participate in the Wakayama Health Promotion Study, a cohort study*2 led by Wakayama Medical University and organized by the Health Promotion Research Center (HPRC), a non-profit organization. Kao and Kirin Holdings conducted a joint study from November 2022 to investigate the relationship between visceral fat and the plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC*3) activity*4, which are the command center for immunity..

东京-（商业线）-Kirin Holdings Company，Limited（东京：2503）和Kao Corporation（东京：4452）将参加和歌山健康促进研究，这是一项由和歌山医科大学领导并组织的队列研究*2由非营利组织健康促进研究中心（HPRC）提供。Kao和Kirin Holdings于2022年11月进行了一项联合研究，以调查内脏脂肪与浆细胞样树突状细胞（pDC*3）活性*4之间的关系，后者是免疫指挥中心。。

In recent years, attention has focused on the relationship between obesity and immunity, as it has been reported that obesity leads to more severe viral infections*5. This study was the first in Japan*1 to investigate the relationship between visceral fat and immune activity and confirm that high visceral fat levels are associated with low pDC activity (low immune function) and that high visceral fat levels and low pDC activity are associated with a high risk of contracting novel coronavirus infection and influenza.

近年来，注意力集中在肥胖与免疫之间的关系上，因为据报道肥胖导致更严重的病毒感染*5。这项研究是日本首次研究内脏脂肪与免疫活性之间的关系，并证实高内脏脂肪水平与低pDC活性（低免疫功能）相关，并且高内脏脂肪水平和低pDC活性相关具有感染新型冠状病毒感染和流感的高风险。

These findings have not yet been reported in any paper in the world*6. The results will be presented at the 44th Annual Meeting of the Japan Society for the Study of Obesity and the 41st Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society for Treatment of Obesity, which will be held in Miyagi Prefecture, on November 25 (Sat.) and 26 (Sun.), 2023..

这些发现尚未在世界任何论文中报道*6。结果将于11月25日（坐）在宫城县举行的日本肥胖研究学会第44届年会和日本肥胖治疗学会第41届年会上公布。26（太阳。），2023。。

*1 Based on article and abstract information published in Pubmed and the Journal of Health Care and Society Web (as of November 22, 2023, according to KnowledgeWire)

*1基于Pubmed和Journal of Health Care and Society Web上发布的文章和摘要信息（截至2023年11月22日，根据KnowledgeWire）

*2 One of the observational research methods in analytical epidemiology. By creating groups involved in specific disease factors and uninvolved groups, and calculating the incidence rate of the target disease within each group, it is possible to examine the relation between the disease factors and the onset..

*2分析流行病学的观察性研究方法之一。通过创建涉及特定疾病因素和未涉及群体的群体，并计算每组内目标疾病的发病率，可以检查疾病因素与发病之间的关系。。

*3 An immune cell that plays an important role as a command post when bacteria or viruses enter the body. Activation of pDC activates various immune cells such as NK cells, T cells, and B cells to protect against viral infection.

*3当细菌或病毒进入人体时，作为命令发挥重要作用的免疫细胞。pDC的活化激活各种免疫细胞，例如NK细胞，T细胞和B细胞，以防止病毒感染。

*4 Percentage of pDCs producing antiviral factors upon stimulation that mimics viral infection

*4模拟病毒感染的刺激后产生抗病毒因子的pDC的百分比

*5 Ghilotti F et al. J Epidemiol. 2019; 48(6): 1783-1794.

*5 Ghilotti F等人《流行病学杂志》。2019年；48（6）：1783-1794。

Popkin BM et al. Obes Rev. 2020; 21(11): e13128.

Popkin BM等人，OBES Rev.2020；21（11）：E13128。

*6 Based on article information published in Pubmed and the Journal of Health Care and Society Web (as of November 22, 2023, according to KnowledgeWire)

*6根据Pubmed和Journal of Health Care and Society Web发布的文章信息（截至2023年11月22日，根据KnowledgeWire）

Joint Research Results (Summary)

联合研究成果（摘要）

Japan’s First Discovery*1

日本的第一个发现*1

(1) Lower pDC activity was observed in individuals with high visceral fat.

（1） 在内脏脂肪高的个体中观察到较低的pDC活性。

(2) A higher percentage of people with high visceral fat and low pDC activity had contracted novel coronavirus infection and influenza compared to those who did not.

（2） 与没有内脏脂肪和pDC活性低的人相比，较高比例的人感染了新型冠状病毒感染和流感。

Implications Obtained

获得的影响

It is suggested that maintaining low visceral fat mass and high pDC activity is associated with a reduced risk of contracting novel coronavirus infection and influenza.

建议保持低内脏脂肪量和高pDC活性与降低感染新型冠状病毒感染和流感的风险有关。

Joint Research Results

联合研究成果

- Background and Objectives

-背景和目标

Obesity is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as “a condition of increased health risk due to abnormal or excessive fat accumulation” and is associated with an increased risk of chronic diseases. The effects of obesity on health have been studied in many countries. In recent years, the relationship between obesity and immunity has been attracting attention, as it has been reported that obesity leads to more severe viral infections*7..

世界卫生组织（WHO）将肥胖定义为“由于异常或过多的脂肪堆积导致健康风险增加的状况”，并与慢性病风险增加相关。许多国家已经研究了肥胖对健康的影响。近年来，肥胖与免疫之间的关系引起了人们的关注，因为据报道肥胖导致更严重的病毒感染*7。。

This research was conducted as part of the Wakayama Health Promotion Study, which has targeted residents of Wakayama Prefecture since 2011. Kao, which has long been involved in research on visceral fat obesity, which is considered closely related to lifestyle-related diseases, and Kirin Holdings, which has been conducting research in the field of immunology for over 35 years, collaborated to clarify the relationship between visceral fat and pDC activity..

这项研究是和歌山健康促进研究的一部分，该研究自2011年以来一直针对和歌山县的居民。长期参与与生活方式相关疾病密切相关的内脏脂肪肥胖研究的Kao和在免疫学领域进行了35多年研究的Kirin Holdings合作澄清了这种关系内脏脂肪和pDC活性之间。。

*7 Pranata R et al. Clin Nutr ESPEN. 2021; 43: 163-168.

*7 Pranata R等人Clin Nutr ESPEN。2021; 43: 163-168.

- What is the Wakayama Health Promotion Study?

-和歌山健康促进研究是什么？

This is a cohort study led by Wakayama Medical University since 2011 which is currently being conducted in collaboration with HPRC, to identify genetic and environmental factors involved in the development of various diseases among local residents in Wakayama Prefecture.

这是和歌山医科大学自2011年以来领导的一项队列研究，目前正在与HPRC合作进行，以确定和歌山县当地居民中各种疾病发展所涉及的遗传和环境因素。

Much research has been done in the program to date on lifestyle, lifestyle-related diseases, and muscle mass, resulting in many findings including the relationship between loss of muscle mass and the development of atherosclerosis and the relationship between a history of falls and voluntary physical activity.

迄今为止，该计划已对生活方式，生活方式相关疾病和肌肉量进行了大量研究，结果发现许多发现，包括肌肉量减少与动脉粥样硬化发展之间的关系以及跌倒史与自愿身体之间的关系。活动。

This was the first time the program conducted research into the immune function..

这是该计划首次对免疫功能进行研究。。

Through the Wakayama Health Promotion Study, Kirin Holdings and Kao are working to clarify the relationship between visceral fat mass and pDC activity in an effort to reduce health risks for consumers in the future.

通过和歌山健康促进研究，Kirin Holdings和Kao正在努力澄清内脏脂肪量与pDC活动之间的关系，以努力减少未来消费者的健康风险。

- Research Methods

-研究方法

In November 2022, specific checkups were conducted in Wakayama Prefecture of 223 residents aged 50–55. From this, Kao obtained data on lifestyle habits and visceral fat area, while Kirin measured data on pDC activity in the blood. These data were shared among the two teams, and the relationship between visceral fat and pDC activity was jointly studied and analyzed.

2022年11月，和歌山县对223名50-55岁的居民进行了具体检查。由此，Kao获得了生活习惯和内脏脂肪面积的数据，而Kirin则测量了血液中pDC活性的数据。这些数据由两个小组共享，内脏脂肪与pDC活性之间的关系共同研究和分析。

The groups studied were divided as follows..

所研究的组分如下。。

Visceral fat area: Based on a median value of 77 cm2 for all subjects, those with visceral fat less than 77 cm2 were defined as the low visceral fat group, and those with visceral fat greater than 77 cm2 as the high visceral fat group.

内脏脂肪面积：根据所有受试者的中值77 cm2，将内脏脂肪小于77 cm2的患者定义为低内脏脂肪组，将内脏脂肪大于77 cm2的患者定义为高内脏脂肪组。

pDC activity: Based on a median value of 9.52% for all subjects, those with pDC activity of 9.52% or less were defined as the low pDC activity group, and those with pDC activity of 9.52% or more were defined as the high pDC activity group.

pDC活性：基于所有受试者的中值9.52%，pDC活性为9.52%或更低的那些被定义为低pDC活性组，并且pDC活性为9.52%或更高的那些被定义为高pDC活性组。

- Results

-结果

Result 1: Relationship between visceral fat area and pDC activity

结果1：内脏脂肪面积与pDC活性的关系

The group with higher visceral fat area values had significantly lower pDC activity than the group with lower visceral fat area values (Figure 1).

内脏脂肪面积值较高的组pDC活性显着低于内脏脂肪面积值较低的组（图1）。

Result 2: Effect of visceral fat area and pDC activity on the contracting of infectious diseases

结果2：内脏脂肪面积和pDC活性对传染病收缩的影响

The group with high visceral fat area values had a higher incidence of novel coronavirus infection than the group with low values, with a 7-fold higher odds ratio*8. Meanwhile, the group with low pDC activity had a higher incidence of novel coronavirus infection than the group with high pDC activity, with a 5-fold higher odds ratio (Figure 2)..

具有高内脏脂肪面积值的组具有比具有低值的组更高的新型冠状病毒感染发生率，具有高7倍的优势比*8。同时，pDC活性低的组新型冠状病毒感染的发生率高于pDC活性高的组，优势比高5倍（图2）。。

The analysis was also divided into four groups to confirm the synergistic effect of high or low visceral fat area and pDC activity and found that the group with high visceral fat area and low pDC activity had a higher incidence of novel coronavirus infection than the group with low visceral fat area and high pDC activity, with a 20-fold higher odds ratio.

分析还分为四组，以证实高，低内脏脂肪面积与pDC活性的协同作用，发现内脏脂肪面积高，pDC活性低的组新型冠状病毒感染发生率高于低内脏脂肪区和高pDC活性，比值比高20倍。

Similar results were observed with influenza (Figure 3)..

流感观察到类似的结果（图3）。。

*8 The odds ratio is a value used to express the likelihood of an event. The odds ratio and likelihood of occurrence are positively correlated.

*8比值比是用于表示事件可能性的值。优势比和发生可能性呈正相关。

- Collaborative Research Results

-合作研究成果

For the first time in the world, this collaboration found that people with high visceral fat area levels had low pDC activity. It was also suggested that visceral fat area and pDC activity, respectively, affect susceptibility to novel coronavirus infection and influenza, and that people with high visceral fat area and low pDC activity are particularly susceptible to these diseases..

这项合作是世界上第一次发现内脏脂肪面积水平高的人pDC活性低。还有人提出，内脏脂肪面积和pDC活性分别影响新型冠状病毒感染和流感的易感性，内脏脂肪面积高和pDC活性低的人特别容易患这些疾病。。

Thus, it can be said that it is important for people with high visceral fat area values and low pDC activity to address both visceral fat mass and immune function.

因此，可以说对于具有高内脏脂肪面积值和低pDC活性的人来说，解决内脏脂肪量和免疫功能是重要的。

About Kirin Holdings

关于Kirin Holdings

Kirin Holdings Company, Limited is an international company that operates in the Food & Beverages domain (Food & Beverages businesses), Pharmaceuticals domain (Pharmaceuticals businesses), and Health Science domain (Health Science business), both in Japan and across the globe.

Kirin Holdings Company，Limited是一家在日本和全球都在食品和饮料领域（食品和饮料业务），制药领域（制药业务）和健康科学领域（健康科学业务）运营的国际公司。

Kirin Holdings can trace its roots to Japan Brewery which was established in 1885. Japan Brewery became Kirin Brewery in 1907. Since then, the company expanded its business with fermentation and biotechnology as its core technologies, and entered the pharmaceutical business in the 1980s, all of which continue to be global growth centers.

Kirin Holdings可以追溯到1885年成立的日本啤酒厂。1907年，日本啤酒厂成为柯林啤酒厂。从那时起，该公司以发酵和生物技术为核心技术扩大业务，并于20世纪80年代进入制药业务，所有这些业务仍然是全球增长中心。

In 2007, Kirin Holdings was established as a pure holding company and is currently focusing on boosting its Health Science domain..

2007年，Kirin Holdings成立为pure holding公司，目前专注于提升其健康科学领域。。

Under the Kirin Group Vision 2027 (KV 2027), a long-term management plan launched in 2019, the Kirin Group aims to become A global leader in CSV*9, creating value across our world of Food & Beverages to Pharmaceuticals. Going forward, the Kirin Group will continue to leverage its strengths to create both social and economic value through its businesses, with the aim of achieving sustainable growth in corporate value..

根据Kirin Group Vision 2027（KV 2027），这是一项于2019年启动的长期管理计划，Kirin Group旨在成为CSV*9的全球领导者，为我们在食品和饮料领域创造制药价值。展望未来，基林集团将继续利用其优势，通过其业务创造社会和经济价值，旨在实现企业价值的可持续增长。。

*9 Creating Shared Value: combined added value for consumers as well as for society at large.

*9创造共同价值：为消费者和整个社会创造综合附加价值。

About Kao Corporation

关于Kao公司

Kao creates high-value-added products and services that provide care and enrichment for the life of all people and the planet. Through its portfolio of over 20 leading brands such as Attack, Bioré, Goldwell, Jergens, John Frieda, Kanebo, Laurier, Merries, and Molton Brown, Kao is part of the everyday lives of people in Asia, Oceania, North America, and Europe.

Kao创造高附加值的产品和服务，为所有人和地球的生活提供照顾和丰富。通过其Atact，Bioré，Goldwell，Jergens，John Frieda，Kanebo，Laurier，Merries和Molton-Brown等20多个领先品牌的组合，Kao是亚洲，大洋洲，北美和欧洲。

Combined with its chemical business, which contributes to a wide range of industries, Kao generates about 1,420 billion yen in annual sales. Kao employs about 33,500 people worldwide and has 135 years of history in innovation. Please visit the Kao Group website for updated information. https://www.kao.com/global/en/.

结合其为广泛行业做出贡献的化学业务，Kao每年销售额约为14200亿日元。Kao在全球雇用约33500人，具有135年的创新历史。请访问Kao集团网站获取最新信息。https://www.kao.com/global/en/.

Kao established its ESG strategy, the Kirei Lifestyle Plan in April 2019. From 2021, Kao is promoting its Mid-term Plan which declares “protecting future lives” and promoting “sustainability as the only path” as its vision. Kao will continue to integrate ESG perspectives into its company management, aiming to develop its business and provide better products and services to consumers and society, and work toward its purpose, “To Realize a Kirei World in Which All Life Lives in Harmony.”.

Kao于2019年4月制定了ESG战略，即Kirei生活方式计划。从2021年起，高雄正在推广其中期计划，该计划宣布“保护未来生活”，促进“可持续发展是唯一的道路”作为其愿景。Kao将继续将ESG的观点融入其公司管理层，旨在发展其业务，为消费者和社会提供更好的产品和服务，并致力于“实现人生和谐生活的Kirei世界”。