@article{SchweigertBaumaneBuchholzetal.1998, author = {Schweigert, Florian J. and Baumane, Anita and Buchholz, Ingeborg and Schoon, Heinz-Adolf}, title = {ß-Carotene accumulation in lung tissue of rats fed different types of fat}, year = {1998}, language = {en} } @article{BaeslerKoppPohletal.2019, author = {Baesler, Jessica and Kopp, Johannes Florian and Pohl, Gabriele and Aschner, Michael and Haase, Hajo and Schwerdtle, Tanja and Bornhorst, Julia}, title = {Zn homeostasis in genetic models of Parkinson's disease in Caenorhabditis elegans}, series = {Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology}, volume = {55}, journal = {Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {M{\"u}nchen}, doi = {10.1016/j.jtemb.2019.05.005}, pages = {44 -- 49}, year = {2019}, abstract = {While the underlying mechanisms of Parkinson's disease (PD) are still insufficiently studied, a complex interaction between genetic and environmental factors is emphasized. Nevertheless, the role of the essential trace element zinc (Zn) in this regard remains controversial. In this study we altered Zn balance within PD models of the versatile model organism Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) in order to examine whether a genetic predisposition in selected genes with relevance for PD affects Zn homeostasis. Protein-bound and labile Zn species act in various areas, such as enzymatic catalysis, protein stabilization pathways and cell signaling. Therefore, total Zn and labile Zn were quantitatively determined in living nematodes as individual biomarkers of Zn uptake and bioavailability with inductively coupled plasma tandem mass spectrometry (ICP-MS/MS) or a multi-well method using the fluorescent probe ZinPyr-1. Young and middle-aged deletion mutants of catp-6 and pdr-1, which are orthologues of mammalian ATP13A2 (PARK9) and parkin (PARK2), showed altered Zn homeostasis following Zn exposure compared to wildtype worms. Furthermore, age-specific differences in Zn uptake were observed in wildtype worms for total as well as labile Zn species. These data emphasize the importance of differentiation between Zn species as meaningful biomarkers of Zn uptake as well as the need for further studies investigating the role of dysregulated Zn homeostasis in the etiology of PD.}, language = {en} } @article{BaeslerKoppPohletal.2019, author = {Baesler, Jessica and Kopp, Johannes F. and Pohl, Gabriele and Aschner, Michael and Haase, Hajo and Schwerdtle, Tanja and Bornhorst, Julia}, title = {Zn homeostasis in genetic models of Parkinson's disease in Caenorhabditis elegans}, series = {Journal of trace elements in medicine and biology}, volume = {55}, journal = {Journal of trace elements in medicine and biology}, publisher = {Elsevier GMBH}, address = {M{\"u}nchen}, issn = {0946-672X}, doi = {10.1016/j.jtemb.2019.05.005}, pages = {44 -- 49}, year = {2019}, language = {en} } @article{KilercikUcalSerdaretal.2022, author = {Kilercik, Meltem and Ucal, Yasemin and Serdar, Muhittin and Serteser, Mustafa and Ozpinar, Aysel and Schweigert, Florian J.}, title = {Zinc protoporphyrin levels in COVID-19 are indicative of iron deficiency and potential predictor of disease severity}, series = {PLoS ONE}, volume = {17}, journal = {PLoS ONE}, number = {2}, publisher = {PLOS}, address = {San Francisco, California, US}, issn = {1932-6203}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0262487}, pages = {16}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Background Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has a severe impact on all aspects of patient care. Among the numerous biomarkers of potential validity for diagnostic and clinical management of COVID-19 are biomarkers at the interface of iron metabolism and inflammation. Methods The follow-up study included 54 hospitalized patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 with a moderate and severe/critical form of the disease. Iron deficiency specific biomarkers such as iron, ferritin, transferrin receptor, hepcidin, and zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP) as well as relevant markers of inflammation were evaluated twice: in the first five days when the patient was admitted to the hospital and during five to 15 days; and their validity to diagnose iron deficiency was further assessed. The regression and Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) analyses were performed to evaluate the prognosis and determine the probability for predicting the severity of the disease in the first five days of COVID-19. Results Based on hemoglobin values, anemia was observed in 21 of 54 patients. Of all iron deficiency anemia-related markers, only ZnPP was significantly elevated (P<0.001) in the anemic group. When patients were grouped according to the severity of disease, slight differences in hemoglobin or other anemia-related parameters could be observed. However, the levels of ZnPP were significantly increased in the severely ill group of patients. The ratio of ZnPP to lymphocyte count (ZnPP/L) had a discrimination power stronger than the neutrophil to lymphocyte count ratio (N/L) to determine disease severity. Additionally, only two markers were independently associated with the severity of COVID-19 in logistic regression analysis; D-dimer (OR (5.606)(95\% CI 1.019-30.867)) and ZnPP/L ratio (OR (74.313) (95\% CI 1.081-5108.103)). Conclusions For the first time ZnPP in COVID-19 patients were reported in this study. Among all iron-related markers tested, ZnPP was the only one that was associated with anemia as based on hemoglobin. The increase in ZnPP might indicate that the underlying cause of anemia in COVID-19 patients is not only due to the inflammation but also of nutritional origin. Additionally, the ZnPP/L ratio might be a valid prognostic marker for the severity of COVID-19.}, language = {en} } @article{SieversRawelRingeletal.2016, author = {Sievers, Steven and Rawel, Harshadrai Manilal and Ringel, Karl Peter and Niggemann, Bodo and Beyer, Kirsten}, title = {Wheat protein recognition pattern in tolerant and allergic children}, series = {Pediatric Allergy and Immunology}, volume = {27}, journal = {Pediatric Allergy and Immunology}, publisher = {Wiley-Blackwell}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {0905-6157}, doi = {10.1111/pai.12502}, pages = {147 -- 155}, year = {2016}, abstract = {BackgroundWheat is one of the most common food allergens in early childhood. In contrast to other food allergies, wheat-specific IgE correlates badly with clinical symptoms and relevant components have been identified mostly for wheat-depended exercise-induced anaphylaxis. Moreover, a high percentage of patients present with immediate type symptoms but wheat-specific IgE cannot be detected with commercial available systems. ObjectiveWe addressed the question whether the IgE recognition pattern between wheat allergic (WA) and clinically tolerant (WT) children differs in order to identify individual proteins useful for component-resolved diagnostics. MethodsSera of 106 children with suspected wheat allergy, of whom 44 children had clinical relevant wheat allergy and 62 were tolerant upon oral food challenge, were analyzed for wheat-specific IgE using the ImmunoCap system as well as immunoblots against water and salt soluble, and water-insoluble protein fractions. 40 randomly selected sera were analyzed for specific IgE to 5-gliadin. ResultsSixty-three percent of the WT and 86\% of the WA children were sensitized to wheat with >0.35 kU(A)/l in ImmunoCAP analysis. We could confirm the role of -, ss-, -, and -gliadins, and LMW glutenin subunits as major allergens and found also IgE binding to a broad spectrum of water- and salt-soluble protein bands. It is of great importance that wheat allergic and tolerant patients showed IgE binding to the same protein bands. WT and WA did not significantly differ in levels of 5-gliadin-specific IgE. Conclusions \& Clinical RelevanceChildren with challenge proven clinical relevant food allergy and tolerant ones had a similar spectrum of IgE binding to the same protein bands. These findings imply that component-resolved diagnostics might not be helpful in the diagnostic work-up of wheat allergy.}, language = {en} } @article{ChristakoudiPagoniFerrarietal.2020, author = {Christakoudi, Sofia and Pagoni, Panagiota and Ferrari, Pietro and Cross, Amanda J. and Tzoulaki, Ioanna and Muller, David C. and Weiderpass, Elisabete and Freisling, Heinz and Murphy, Neil and Dossus, Laure and Turzanski Fortner, Renee and Agudo, Antonio and Overvad, Kim and Perez-Cornago, Aurora and Key, Timothy J. and Brennan, Paul and Johansson, Mattias and Tjonneland, Anne and Halkjaer, Jytte and Boutron-Ruault, Marie-Christine and Artaud, Fanny and Severi, Gianluca and Kaaks, Rudolf and Schulze, Matthias Bernd and Bergmann, Manuela M. and Masala, Giovanna and Grioni, Sara and Simeon, Vittorio and Tumino, Rosario and Sacerdote, Carlotta and Skeie, Guri and Rylander, Charlotta and Borch, Kristin Benjaminsen and Quiros, J. Ramon and Rodriguez-Barranco, Miguel and Chirlaque, Maria-Dolores and Ardanaz, Eva and Amiano, Pilar and Drake, Isabel and Stocks, Tanja and H{\"a}ggstr{\"o}m, Christel and Harlid, Sophia and Ellingjord-Dale, Merete and Riboli, Elio and Tsilidis, Konstantinos K.}, title = {Weight change in middle adulthood and risk of cancer in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohort}, series = {International journal of cancer}, volume = {148}, journal = {International journal of cancer}, number = {7}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {0020-7136}, doi = {10.1002/ijc.33339}, pages = {1637 -- 1651}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Obesity is a risk factor for several major cancers. Associations of weight change in middle adulthood with cancer risk, however, are less clear. We examined the association of change in weight and body mass index (BMI) category during middle adulthood with 42 cancers, using multivariable Cox proportional hazards models in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition cohort. Of 241 323 participants (31\% men), 20\% lost and 32\% gained weight (>0.4 to 5.0 kg/year) during 6.9 years (average). During 8.0 years of follow-up after the second weight assessment, 20 960 incident cancers were ascertained. Independent of baseline BMI, weight gain (per one kg/year increment) was positively associated with cancer of the corpus uteri (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.14; 95\% confidence interval: 1.05-1.23). Compared to stable weight (+/- 0.4 kg/year), weight gain (>0.4 to 5.0 kg/year) was positively associated with cancers of the gallbladder and bile ducts (HR = 1.41; 1.01-1.96), postmenopausal breast (HR = 1.08; 1.00-1.16) and thyroid (HR = 1.40; 1.04-1.90). Compared to maintaining normal weight, maintaining overweight or obese BMI (World Health Organisation categories) was positively associated with most obesity-related cancers. Compared to maintaining the baseline BMI category, weight gain to a higher BMI category was positively associated with cancers of the postmenopausal breast (HR = 1.19; 1.06-1.33), ovary (HR = 1.40; 1.04-1.91), corpus uteri (HR = 1.42; 1.06-1.91), kidney (HR = 1.80; 1.20-2.68) and pancreas in men (HR = 1.81; 1.11-2.95). Losing weight to a lower BMI category, however, was inversely associated with cancers of the corpus uteri (HR = 0.40; 0.23-0.69) and colon (HR = 0.69; 0.52-0.92). Our findings support avoiding weight gain and encouraging weight loss in middle adulthood.}, language = {en} } @article{KaruwanarintPhonratTungtrongchitretal.2018, author = {Karuwanarint, Piyaporn and Phonrat, Benjaluck and Tungtrongchitr, Anchalee and Suriyaprom, Kanjana and Chuengsamarn, Somlak and Schweigert, Florian J. and Tungtrongchitr, Rungsunn}, title = {Vitamin D-binding protein and its polymorphisms as a predictor for metabolic syndrome}, series = {Biomarkers in medicine}, volume = {12}, journal = {Biomarkers in medicine}, number = {5}, publisher = {Future Medicine}, address = {London}, issn = {1752-0363}, doi = {10.2217/bmm-2018-0029}, pages = {465 -- 473}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Aim: To investigate the relationship of vitamin D-binding protein (GC) and genetic variation of GC (rs4588, rs7041 and rs2282679) with metabolic syndrome (MetS) in the Thai population. Materials \& methods: GCglobulin concentrations were measured by quantitative western blot analysis in 401 adults. All participants were genotyped using TaqMan allelic discrimination assays. Results: GC-globulin levels were significatly lower in MetS subjects than in control subjects, in which significant negative correlations of GC-globulin levels with systolic blood pressure, glucose and age were found. Male participants who carried the GT genotype for rs4588 showed an increased risk of MetS compared with the GG wild-type (odds ratio: 3.25; p = 0.004). Conclusion: GC-globulin concentrations and variation in GC rs4588 were supported as a risk factor for MetS in Thais.}, language = {en} } @article{HocherGroenSchumannetal.2012, author = {Hocher, Berthold and Groen, Hans J{\"u}rgen and Schumann, Claudia and Tsuprykov, Oleg and Seifert, Susanne and Hitzler, Walter E. and Armbruster, Franz Paul}, title = {Vitamin D status from dried capillary blood samples}, series = {Clinical laboratory : the peer reviewed journal for clinical laboratories and laboratories related to blood transfusion}, volume = {58}, journal = {Clinical laboratory : the peer reviewed journal for clinical laboratories and laboratories related to blood transfusion}, number = {7-8}, publisher = {Clin Lab Publ., Verl. Klinisches Labor}, address = {Heidelberg}, issn = {1433-6510}, doi = {10.7754/Clin.Lab.2012.120429}, pages = {851 -- 855}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Background: Given the huge impact of vitamin D deficiency on a broad spectrum of diseases such as rickets, osteoporosis, mineral bone disease-vascular calcification syndrome, infectious diseases, but also several types of cancer and CNS diseases, reliable and simple methods to analyze the vitamin D status are urgently needed. Methods: We developed an easy technique to determine the 25-OH vitamin D status from dried blood samples on filter paper. This allows determination of the 25-OH vitamin D status independently of venous blood taking, since only sampling of capillary blood is required for this new method. We compared the results of vitamin D measurements from venous blood of 96 healthy blood donors with those from capillary blood taken from the same patients at the same time. The capillary blood was dried on filter paper using the D-Vital ID dry-blood collection system. Results: 25-OH vitamin D concentration data from extracted dried capillary blood filters correlated very well with data obtained after direct measurement of venous blood samples of the same blood donor (R: 0.7936; p<0.0001). The correlation was linear over the whole range of 25-OH vitamin D concentrations seen in this study. A Bland-Altman plot revealed good agreement between both tests. Conclusions: The D-Vital ID dry-blood collection system showed an excellent performance as compared to the classical way of 25-OH vitamin D measurement from venous blood. This new technique will facilitate easy and reliable measurement for vitamin D status, in particular, in rural or isolated areas, developing countries, and field studies.}, language = {en} } @article{GereckeSchumacherBerndzenetal.2019, author = {Gerecke, Christian and Schumacher, Fabian and Berndzen, Alide and Homann, Thomas and Kleuser, Burkhard}, title = {Vitamin C in combination with inhibition of mutant IDH1 synergistically activates TET enzymes and epigenetically modulates gene silencing in colon cancer cells}, series = {Epigenetics : the official journal of the DNA Methylation Society}, volume = {15}, journal = {Epigenetics : the official journal of the DNA Methylation Society}, number = {3}, publisher = {Taylor \& Francis Group}, address = {Philadelphia}, issn = {1559-2294}, doi = {10.1080/15592294.2019.1666652}, pages = {307 -- 322}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Mutations in the enzyme isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) lead to metabolic alterations and a sustained formation of 2-hydroxyglutarate (2-HG). 2-HG is an oncometabolite as it inhibits the activity of alpha-ketoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases such as ten-eleven translocation (TET) enzymes. Inhibitors of mutant IDH enzymes, like ML309, are currently tested in order to lower the levels of 2-HG. Vitamin C (VC) is an inducer of TET enzymes. To test a new therapeutic avenue of synergistic effects, the anti-neoplastic activity of inhibition of mutant IDH1 via ML309 in the presence of VC was investigated in the colon cancer cell line HCT116 IDH1(R132H/+) (harbouring a mutated IDH1 allele) and the parental cells HCT116 IDH1(+/+) (wild type IDH1). Measurement of the oncometabolite indicated a 56-fold higher content of 2-HG in mutated cells compared to wild type cells. A significant reduction of 2-HG was observed in mutated cells after treatment with ML 309, whereas VC produced only minimally changes of the oncometabolite. However, combinatorial treatment with both, ML309 and VC, in mutated cells induced pronounced reduction of 2-HG leading to levels comparable to those in wild type cells. The decreased level of 2-HG in mutated cells after combinatorial treatment was accompanied by an enhanced global DNA hydroxymethylation and an increased gene expression of certain tumour suppressors. Moreover, mutated cells showed an increased percentage of apoptotic cells after treatment with non-cytotoxic concentrations of ML309 and VC. These results suggest that combinatorial therapy is of interest for further investigation to rescue TET activity and treatment of IDH1/2 mutated cancers.}, language = {en} } @article{DanquahDobruckyFranketal.2015, author = {Danquah, Ina and Dobrucky, C. Lydia and Frank, Laura K. and Henze, Andrea and Amoako, Yaw A. and Bedu-Addo, George and Raila, Jens and Schulze, Matthias Bernd and Mockenhaupt, Frank P. and Schweigert, Florian J.}, title = {Vitamin A: potential misclassification of vitamin A status among patients with type 2 diabetes and hypertension in urban Ghana}, series = {The American journal of clinical nutrition : a publication of the American Society for Nutrition, Inc.}, volume = {102}, journal = {The American journal of clinical nutrition : a publication of the American Society for Nutrition, Inc.}, number = {1}, publisher = {American Society for Nutrition, Inc.}, address = {Bethesda}, issn = {0002-9165}, doi = {10.3945/ajcn.114.101345}, pages = {207 -- 214}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Background: Sub-Saharan Africa is facing a double burden of malnutrition: vitamin A deficiency (VAD) prevails, whereas the nutrition-related chronic conditions type 2 diabetes (T2D) and hypertension are emerging. Serum retinol a VAD marker increases in kidney disease and decreases in inflammation, which can partly be attributed to alterations in the vitamin A transport proteins retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) and prealbumin. Kidney dysfunction and inflammation commonly accompany T2D and hypertension. Objective: Among urban Ghanaians, we investigated the associations of T2D and hypertension with serum retinol as well as the importance of kidney function and inflammation in this regard. Design: A hospital-based, case-control study in individuals for risk factors of T2D, hypertension, or both was conducted in Kumasi, Ghana (328 controls, 197 with T2D, 354 with hypertension, and 340 with T2D plus hypertension). In 1219 blood samples, serum retinol, RBP4, and prealbumin were measured. Urinary albumin and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) defined kidney function. C-reactive protein (CRP) >5 mg/L indicated inflammation. We identified associations of T2D and hypertension with retinol by linear regression and calculated the contribution of RBP4, prealbumin, urinary albumin, eGFR, and CRP to these associations as the percentages of the explained variance of retinol. Results: VAD (retinol <1.05 mu mol/L) was present in 10\% of this predominantly female, middle-aged, overweight, and deprived population. Hypertension, but not T2D, was positively associated with retinol (beta: 0.12; 95\% CI: 0.08, 0,17), adjusted for age, sex, socioeconomic factors, anthropometric measurements, and lifestyle. In addition to RBP4 (72\%) and prealbumin (22\%), the effect of increased retinol on individuals with hypertension was mainly attributed to impaired kidney function (eGFR: 30\%; urinary albumin: 5\%) but not to inflammation. Conclusions: In patients with hypertension, VAD might be underestimated because of increased serum retinol in the context of kidney dysfunction. Thus, the interpretation of serum retinol in sub-Saharan Africa should account for hypertension status.}, language = {en} }