@phdthesis{Rinne2024, author = {Rinne, Theresa Charlotte}, title = {The effects of nutrients on bone stem cell function and regeneration}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, pages = {V, 134}, year = {2024}, abstract = {Aging is associated with bone loss, which can lead to osteoporosis and high fracture risk. This coincides with the enhanced formation of bone marrow adipose tissue (BMAT), suggesting a negative effect of bone marrow adipocytes on skeletal health. Increased BMAT formation is also observed in pathologies such as obesity, type 2 diabetes and osteoporosis. However, a subset of bone marrow adipocytes forming the constitutive BMAT (cBMAT), arise early in life in the distal skeleton, contain high levels of unsaturated fatty acids and are thought to provide a physiological function. Regulated BMAT (rBMAT) forms during aging and obesity in proximal regions of the bone and contain a large proportion of saturated fatty acids. Paradoxically, BMAT accumulation is also enhanced during caloric restriction (CR), a life-span extending dietary intervention. This indicates, that different types of BMAT can form in response to opposing nutritional stimuli with potentially different functions. To this end, two types of nutritional interventions, CR and high fat diet (HFD), that are both described to induce BMAT accumulation were carried out. CR markedly increased BMAT formation in the proximal tibia and led to a higher proportion of unsaturated fatty acids, making it similar to the physiological cBMAT. Additionally, proximal and diaphyseal tibia regions displayed higher adiponectin expression. In aged mice, CR was associated with an improved trabecular bone structure. Taken together, these findings demonstrate, that the type of BMAT that forms during CR might provide beneficial effects for local bone stem/progenitor cells and metabolic health. The HFD intervention performed in this thesis showed no effect on BMAT accumulation and bone microstructure. RNA Seq analysis revealed alterations in the composition of the collagen-containing extracellular matrix (ECM). In order to investigate the effects of glucose homeostasis on osteogenesis, differentiation capacity of immortalized multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) and osteochondrogenic progenitor cells (OPCs) was analyzed. Insulin improved differentiation in both cell types, however, combination of with a high glucose concentration led to an impaired mineralization of the ECM. In the MSCs, this was accompanied by the formation of adipocytes, indicating negative effects of the adipocytes formed during hyperglycemic conditions on mineralization processes. However, the altered mineralization pattern and structure of the ECM was also observed in OPCs, which did not form any adipocytes, suggesting further negative effects of a hyperglycemic environment on osteogenic differentiation. In summary, the work provided in this thesis demonstrated that differentiation commitment of bone-resident stem cells can be altered through nutrient availability, specifically glucose. Surprisingly, both high nutrient supply, e.g. the hyperglycemic cell culture conditions, and low nutrient supply, e.g. CR, can induce adipogenic differentiation. However, while CR-induced adipocyte formation was associated with improved trabecular bone structure, adipocyte formation in a hyperglycemic cell-culture environment hampered mineralization. This thesis provides further evidence for the existence of different types of BMAT with specific functions.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Fitzner2024, author = {Fitzner, Maria}, title = {Cultivation of selected halophytes in saline indoor farming and modulation of cultivation conditions to optimize metabolite profiles for human nutrition}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-62697}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-626974}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, pages = {178}, year = {2024}, abstract = {With the many challenges facing the agricultural system, such as water scarcity, loss of arable land due to climate change, population growth, urbanization or trade disruptions, new agri-food systems are needed to ensure food security in the future. In addition, healthy diets are needed to combat non-communicable diseases. Therefore, plant-based diets rich in health-promoting plant secondary metabolites are desirable. A saline indoor farming system is representing a sustainable and resilient new agrifood system and can preserve valuable fresh water. Since indoor farming relies on artificial lighting, assessment of lighting conditions is essential. In this thesis, the cultivation of halophytes in a saline indoor farming system was evaluated and the influence of cultivation conditions were assessed in favor of improving the nutritional quality of halophytes for human consumption. Therefore, five selected edible halophyte species (Brassica oleracea var. palmifolia, Cochlearia officinalis, Atriplex hortensis, Chenopodium quinoa, and Salicornia europaea) were cultivated in saline indoor farming. The halophyte species were selected for to their salt tolerance levels and mechanisms. First, the suitability of halophytes for saline indoor farming and the influence of salinity on their nutritional properties, e.g. plant secondary metabolites and minerals, were investigated. Changes in plant performance and nutritional properties were observed as a function of salinity. The response to salinity was found to be species-specific and related to the salt tolerance mechanism of the halophytes. At their optimal salinity levels, the halophytes showed improved carotenoid content. In addition, a negative correlation was found between the nitrate and chloride content of halophytes as a function of salinity. Since chloride and nitrate can be antinutrient compounds, depending on their content, monitoring is essential, especially in halophytes. Second, regional brine water was introduced as an alternative saline water resource in the saline indoor farming system. Brine water was shown to be feasible for saline indoor farming of halophytes, as there was no adverse effect on growth or nutritional properties, e.g. carotenoids. Carotenoids were shown to be less affected by salt composition than by salt concentration. In addition, the interaction between the salinity and the light regime in indoor farming and greenhouse cultivation has been studied. There it was shown that interacting light regime and salinity alters the content of carotenoids and chlorophylls. Further, glucosinolate and nitrate content were also shown to be influenced by light regime. Finally, the influence of UVB light on halophytes was investigated using supplemental narrow-band UVB LEDs. It was shown that UVB light affects the growth, phenotype and metabolite profile of halophytes and that the UVB response is species specific. Furthermore, a modulation of carotenoid content in S. europaea could be achieved to enhance health-promoting properties and thus improve nutritional quality. This was shown to be dose-dependent and the underlying mechanisms of carotenoid accumulation were also investigated. Here it was revealed that carotenoid accumulation is related to oxidative stress. In conclusion, this work demonstrated the potential of halophytes as alternative vegetables produced in a saline indoor farming system for future diets that could contribute to ensuring food security in the future. To improve the sustainability of the saline indoor farming system, LED lamps and regional brine water could be integrated into the system. Since the nutritional properties have been shown to be influenced by salt, light regime and UVB light, these abiotic stressors must be taken into account when considering halophytes as alternative vegetables for human nutrition.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Henning2024, author = {Henning, Thorsten}, title = {Cross-sectional associations of dietary biomarker patterns with health and nutritional status}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, pages = {111}, year = {2024}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Harbart2024, author = {Harbart, Vanessa}, title = {The effect of protected cultivation on the nutritional quality of lettuce (Lactuca sativa var capitata L.) with a focus on antifogging additives in polyolefin covers}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-62937}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-629375}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, pages = {IV, 115}, year = {2024}, abstract = {Protected cultivation in greenhouses or polytunnels offers the potential for sustainable production of high-yield, high-quality vegetables. This is related to the ability to produce more on less land and to use resources responsibly and efficiently. Crop yield has long been considered the most important factor. However, as plant-based diets have been proposed for a sustainable food system, the targeted enrichment of health-promoting plant secondary metabolites should be addressed. These metabolites include carotenoids and flavonoids, which are associated with several health benefits, such as cardiovascular health and cancer protection. Cover materials generally have an influence on the climatic conditions, which in turn can affect the levels of secondary metabolites in vegetables grown underneath. Plastic materials are cost-effective and their properties can be modified by incorporating additives, making them the first choice. However, these additives can migrate and leach from the material, resulting in reduced service life, increased waste and possible environmental release. Antifogging additives are used in agricultural films to prevent the formation of droplets on the film surface, thereby increasing light transmission and preventing microbiological contamination. This thesis focuses on LDPE/EVA covers and incorporated antifogging additives for sustainable protected cultivation, following two different approaches. The first addressed the direct effects of leached antifogging additives using simulation studies on lettuce leaves (Lactuca sativa var capitata L). The second determined the effect of antifog polytunnel covers on lettuce quality. Lettuce is usually grown under protective cover and can provide high nutritional value due to its carotenoid and flavonoid content, depending on the cultivar. To study the influence of simulated leached antifogging additives on lettuce leaves, a GC-MS method was first developed to analyze these additives based on their fatty acid moieties. Three structurally different antifogging additives (reference material) were characterized outside of a polymer matrix for the first time. All of them contained more than the main fatty acid specified by the manufacturer. Furthermore, they were found to adhere to the leaf surface and could not be removed by water or partially by hexane. The incorporation of these additives into polytunnel covers affects carotenoid levels in lettuce, but not flavonoids, caffeic acid derivatives and chlorophylls. Specifically, carotenoids were higher in lettuce grown under polytunnels without antifog than with antifog. This has been linked to their effect on the light regime and was suggested to be related to carotenoid function in photosynthesis. In terms of protected cultivation, the use of LDPE/EVA polytunnels affected light and temperature, and both are closely related. The carotenoid and flavonoid contents of lettuce grown under polytunnels was reversed, with higher carotenoid and lower flavonoid levels. At the individual level, the flavonoids detected in lettuce did not differ however, lettuce carotenoids adapted specifically depending on the time of cultivation. Flavonoid reduction was shown to be transcriptionally regulated (CHS) in response to UV light (UVR8). In contrast, carotenoids are thought to be regulated post-transcriptionally, as indicated by the lack of correlation between carotenoid levels and transcripts of the first enzyme in carotenoid biosynthesis (PSY) and a carotenoid degrading enzyme (CCD4), as well as the increased carotenoid metabolic flux. Understanding the regulatory mechanisms and metabolite adaptation strategies could further advance the strategic development and selection of cover materials.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Koelman2023, author = {Koelman, Liselot A.}, title = {The role of diet in immune health and ageing}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, year = {2023}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Hass2023, author = {Haß, Ulrike}, title = {Vergleich anti-inflammatorischer Ern{\"a}hrungsstrategien auf Inflammation und Muskelfunktion bei {\"a}lteren Erwachsenen}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-61197}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-611976}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, pages = {VIII, 101, XV}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Mit dem Alter kann eine Zunahme leichtgradiger Entz{\"u}ndungsprozesse beobachtet werden, von denen angenommen wird, dass sie den typischen, altersbedingten Verlust an Muskelmasse, -kraft und -funktion „befeuern". Diese als Inflammaging bezeichneten Prozesse k{\"o}nnen auf ein komplexes Zusammenspiel aus einem dysfunktionalen (viszeralen) Fettgewebe, einer Dysbiose und damit einhergehender mikrobiellen Translokation und geringeren Abwehrf{\"a}higkeit sowie einer insgesamt zunehmenden Immunseneszenz zur{\"u}ckgef{\"u}hrt werden. In Summa beg{\"u}nstigt ein pro-inflammatorisches Milieu metabolische St{\"o}rungen und chronische, altersassoziierte Erkrankungen, die das Entz{\"u}ndungsgeschehen aufrechterhalten oder vorantreiben. Neben einem essenziellen Bewegungsmangel tr{\"a}gt auch eine westlich gepr{\"a}gte, industrialisierte Ern{\"a}hrungsweise zum Entz{\"u}ndungsgeschehen und zur Entwicklung chronischer Erkrankungen bei. Daher liegt die Vermutung nahe, dem Entz{\"u}ndungsgeschehen mit ausreichend Bewegung und einer anti-inflammatorischen Ern{\"a}hrung entgegenzuwirken. In dieser Hinsicht werden insbesondere Omega-3-Fetts{\"a}uren (Omega-3) mit anti-inflammatorischen Eigenschaften verbunden. Obwohl ein Zusammenhang zwischen dem ern{\"a}hrungsbedingten Inflammationspotenzial bzw. der Zufuhr von Omega-3 und dem Inflammationsprofil bereits untersucht wurde, fehlen bislang Untersuchungen insbesondere bei {\"a}lteren Erwachsenen, die den Link zwischen dem Inflammationspotenzial der Ern{\"a}hrung und Sarkopenie-relevanten Muskelparametern herstellen. Aufgrund des Proteinmehrbedarfs zum Erhalt der funktionellen Muskulatur im Alter wurde bereits eine Vielzahl an Sport- und Ern{\"a}hrungsinterventionen durchgef{\"u}hrt, die eine Verbesserung des Muskelstatus mit Hilfe von strukturiertem Krafttraining und einer proteinreichen Ern{\"a}hrung zeigen. Es gibt zudem Hinweise, dass Omega-3 auch die Proteinsynthese verst{\"a}rken k{\"o}nnten. Unklar ist jedoch, inwiefern eine anti-inflammatorische Ern{\"a}hrung mit Fokus auf Omega-3 sowohl die Entz{\"u}ndungsprozesse als auch den Muskelproteinmetabolismus und die neuromuskul{\"a}re Funktionalit{\"a}t im Alter g{\"u}nstig unterst{\"u}tzen kann. Dies vor allem im Hinblick auf die Muskelleistung, die eng mit der Sturzneigung und der Autonomie im Alltag verkn{\"u}pft ist, aber in Interventionsstudien mit {\"a}lteren Erwachsenen bisher wenig Ber{\"u}cksichtigung erhielt. Dar{\"u}ber hinaus werden h{\"a}ufig progressive Trainingselemente genutzt, die nach Studienabschluss oftmals wenig Anschluss im Lebensalltag der Betroffenen finden und somit wenig nachhaltig sind. Ziel dieser Arbeit war demnach die Evaluierung einer proteinreichen und zus{\"a}tzlich mit Omega-3 supplementierten Ern{\"a}hrung in Kombination mit einem w{\"o}chentlichen Vibrationstraining und altersgem{\"a}ßen Bewegungsprogramm auf Inflammation und neuromuskul{\"a}re Funktion bei {\"a}lteren, selbst{\"a}ndig lebenden Erwachsenen. Hierzu wurden zun{\"a}chst m{\"o}gliche Zusammenh{\"a}nge zwischen dem ern{\"a}hrungsbedingten Inflammationspotenzial, ermittelt anhand des Dietary Inflammatory Index, und dem Muskelstatus sowie dem Inflammationsprofil im Alter eruiert. Dazu dienten die Ausgangswerte von {\"a}lteren, selbst{\"a}ndig lebenden Erwachsenen einer postprandialen Interventionsstudie (POST-Studie), die im Querschnitt analysiert wurden. Die Ergebnisse best{\"a}tigten, dass eine pro-inflammatorische Ern{\"a}hrung sich einerseits in einem st{\"a}rkeren Entz{\"u}ndungsgeschehen widerspiegelt und andererseits mit Sarkopenie-relevanten Parametern, wie einer geringeren Muskelmasse und Gehgeschwindigkeit, ung{\"u}nstig assoziiert ist. Dar{\"u}ber hinaus zeigten sich diese Zusammenh{\"a}nge auch in Bezug auf die Handgreifkraft bei den inaktiven, {\"a}lteren Erwachsenen der Studie. Anschließend wurde in einer explorativ ausgerichteten Pilot-Interventionsstudie (AIDA-Studie) in einem dreiarmigen Design untersucht, inwieweit sich eine Supplementierung mit Omega-3 unter Voraussetzung einer optimierten Proteinzufuhr und altersgem{\"a}ßen Sportintervention mit Vibrationstraining auf die neuromuskul{\"a}re Funktion und Inflammation bei selbst{\"a}ndig lebenden, {\"a}lteren Erwachsenen auswirkt. Nach acht Wochen Intervention zeigte sich, dass eine mit Omega-3 supplementierte, proteinreiche Ern{\"a}hrung die Muskelleistung insbesondere bei den {\"a}lteren M{\"a}nnern steigerte. W{\"a}hrend sich die Kontrollgruppe nach acht Wochen Sportintervention nicht verbesserte, best{\"a}tigte sich zus{\"a}tzlich eine Verbesserung der Beinkraft und der Testzeit beim Stuhl-Aufsteh-Test der {\"a}lteren Erwachsenen mit einer proteinreichen Ern{\"a}hrung in Kombination mit der Sportintervention. Dar{\"u}ber hinaus wurde deutlich, dass die zus{\"a}tzliche Omega-3-Supplementierung insbesondere bei den M{\"a}nnern eine Reduktion der pro-inflammatorischen Zytokine im Serum zur Folge hatte. Allerdings spiegelten sich diese Beobachtungen nicht auf Genexpressionsebene in mononukle{\"a}ren Immunzellen oder in der LPS-induzierten Sekretion der Zytokine und Chemokine in Vollblutzellkulturen wider. Dies erfordert weitere Untersuchungen.}, language = {de} } @phdthesis{Wittek2023, author = {Wittek, Laura}, title = {Comparison of metabolic cages - analysis of refinement measures on the welfare and metabolic parameters of laboratory mice}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-61120}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-611208}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, pages = {IV, 160}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Housing in metabolic cages can induce a pronounced stress response. Metabolic cage systems imply housing mice on metal wire mesh for the collection of urine and feces in addition to monitoring food and water intake. Moreover, mice are single-housed, and no nesting, bedding, or enrichment material is provided, which is often argued to have a not negligible impact on animal welfare due to cold stress. We therefore attempted to reduce stress during metabolic cage housing for mice by comparing an innovative metabolic cage (IMC) with a commercially available metabolic cage from Tecniplast GmbH (TMC) and a control cage. Substantial refinement measures were incorporated into the IMC cage design. In the frame of a multifactorial approach for severity assessment, parameters such as body weight, body composition, food intake, cage and body surface temperature (thermal imaging), mRNA expression of uncoupling protein 1 (Ucp1) in brown adipose tissue (BAT), fur score, and fecal corticosterone metabolites (CMs) were included. Female and male C57BL/6J mice were single-housed for 24 h in either conventional Macrolon cages (control), IMC, or TMC for two sessions. Body weight decreased less in the IMC (females—1st restraint: 6.94\%; 2nd restraint: 6.89\%; males—1st restraint: 8.08\%; 2nd restraint: 5.82\%) compared to the TMC (females—1st restraint: 13.2\%; 2nd restraint: 15.0\%; males—1st restraint: 13.1\%; 2nd restraint: 14.9\%) and the IMC possessed a higher cage temperature (females—1st restraint: 23.7°C; 2nd restraint: 23.5 °C; males—1st restraint: 23.3 °C; 2nd restraint: 23.5 °C) compared with the TMC (females—1st restraint: 22.4 °C; 2nd restraint: 22.5 °C; males—1st restraint: 22.6 °C; 2nd restraint: 22.4 °C). The concentration of fecal corticosterone metabolites in the TMC (females—1st restraint: 1376 ng/g dry weight (DW); 2nd restraint: 2098 ng/g DW; males—1st restraint: 1030 ng/g DW; 2nd restraint: 1163 ng/g DW) was higher compared to control cage housing (females—1st restraint: 640 ng/g DW; 2nd restraint: 941 ng/g DW; males—1st restraint: 504 ng/g DW; 2nd restraint: 537 ng/g DW). Our results show the stress potential induced by metabolic cage restraint that is markedly influenced by the lower housing temperature. The IMC represents a first attempt to target cold stress reduction during metabolic cage application thereby producing more animal welfare friendly data.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{LopesFernando2023, author = {Lopes Fernando, Raquel Sofia}, title = {The impact of aging on proteolytic systems, transcriptome and metabolome of slow and fast muscle fiber types}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-60579}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, pages = {XI, 125}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Aging is a complex process characterized by several factors, including loss of genetic and epigenetic information, accumulation of chronic oxidative stress, protein damage and aggregates and it is becoming an emergent drug target. Therefore, it is the utmost importance to study aging and agerelated diseases, to provide treatments to develop a healthy aging process. Skeletal muscle is one of the earliest tissues affected by age-related changes with progressive loss of muscle mass and function from 30 years old, effect known as sarcopenia. Several studies have shown the accumulation of protein aggregates in different animal models, as well as in humans, suggesting impaired proteostasis, a hallmark of aging, especially regarding degradation systems. Thus, different publications have explored the role of the main proteolytic systems in skeletal muscle from rodents and humans, like ubiquitin proteasomal system (UPS) and autophagy lysosomal system (ALS), however with contradictory results. Yet, most of the published studies are performed in muscles that comprise more than one fiber type, that means, muscles composed by slow and fast fibers. These fiber types, exhibit different metabolism and contraction speed; the slow fibers or type I display an oxidative metabolism, while fast fibers function towards a glycolytic metabolism ranging from fast oxidative to fast glycolytic fibers. To this extent, the aim of this thesis sought to understand on how aging impacts both fiber types not only regarding proteostasis but also at a metabolome and transcriptome network levels. Therefore, the first part of this thesis, presents the differences between slow oxidative (from Soleus muscle) and fast glycolytic fibers (Extensor digitorum longus, EDL) in terms of degradation systems and how they cope with oxidative stress during aging, while the second part explores the differences between young and old EDL muscle transcriptome and metabolome, unraveling molecular features. More specifically, the results from the present work show that slow oxidative muscle performs better at maintaining the function of UPS and ALS during aging than EDL muscle, which is clearly affected, accounting for the decline in the catalytic activity rates and accumulation of autophagy-related proteins. Strinkingly, transcriptome and metabolome analyses reveal that fast glycolytic muscle evidences significant downregulation of mitochondrial related processes and damaged mitochondria morphology during aging, despite of having a lower oxidative metabolism compared to oxidative fibers. Moreover, predictive analyses reveal a negative association between aged EDL gene signature and lifespan extending interventions such as caloric restriction (CR). Although, CR intervention does not alter the levels of mitochondrial markers in aged EDL muscle, it can reverse the higher mRNA levels of muscle damage markers. Together, the results from this thesis give new insights about how different metabolic muscle fibers cope with age-related changes and why fast glycolytic fibers are more susceptible to aging than slow oxidative fibers.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Raschke2023, author = {Raschke, Stefanie}, title = {Characterization of selenium and copper in cell systems of the neurovascular unit}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-60366}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-603666}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, pages = {XIV, 184, v}, year = {2023}, abstract = {The trace elements, selenium (Se) and copper (Cu) play an important role in maintaining normal brain function. Since they have essential functions as cofactors of enzymes or structural components of proteins, an optimal supply as well as a well-defined homeostatic regulation are crucial. Disturbances in trace element homeostasis affect the health status and contribute to the incidence and severity of various diseases. The brain in particular is vulnerable to oxidative stress due to its extensive oxygen consumption and high energy turnover, among other factors. As components of a number of antioxidant enzymes, both elements are involved in redox homeostasis. However, high concentrations are also associated with the occurrence of oxidative stress, which can induce cellular damage. Especially high Cu concentrations in some brain areas are associated with the development and progression of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). In contrast, reduced Se levels were measured in brains of AD patients. The opposing behavior of Cu and Se renders the study of these two trace elements as well as the interactions between them being particularly relevant and addressed in this work.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Prada2023, author = {Prada, Marcela}, title = {Fatty acid biomarkers of intake and metabolism and their association with type 2 diabetes}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-58159}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-581598}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, pages = {142}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Background: The role of fatty acid (FA) intake and metabolism in type 2 diabetes (T2D) incidence is controversial. Some FAs are not synthesised endogenously and, therefore, these circulating FAs reflect dietary intake, for example, the trans fatty acids (TFAs), saturated odd chain fatty acids (OCFAs), and linoleic acid, an n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). It remains unclear if intake of TFA influence T2D risk and whether industrial TFAs (iTFAs) and ruminant TFAs (rTFAs) exert the same effect. Unlike even chain saturated FAs, the OCFAs have been inversely associated with T2D risk, but this association is poorly understood. Furthermore, the associations of n-6 PUFAs intake with T2D risk are still debated, while delta-5 desaturase (D5D), a key enzyme in the metabolism of PUFAs, has been consistently related to T2D risk. To better understand these relationships, the FA composition in circulating lipid fractions can be used as biomarkers of dietary intake and metabolism. The exploration of TFAs subtypes in plasma phospholipids and OCFAs and n-6 PUFAs within a wide range of lipid classes may give insights into the pathophysiology of T2D. Aim: This thesis aimed mainly to analyse the association of TFAs, OCFAs and n-6 PUFAs with self-reported dietary intake and prospective T2D risk, using seven types of TFAs in plasma phospholipids and deep lipidomics profiling data from fifteen lipid classes. Methods: A prospective case-cohort study was designed within the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC)-Potsdam study, including all the participants who developed T2D (median follow-up 6.5 years) and a random subsample of the full cohort (subcohort: n=1248; T2D cases: n=820). The main analyses included two lipid profiles. The first was an assessment of seven TFA in plasma phospholipids, with a modified method for analysis of FA with very low abundances. The second lipid profile was derived from a high-throughout lipid profiling technology, which identified 940 distinct molecular species and allowed to quantify OCFAs and PUFAs composition across 15 lipid classes. Delta-5 desaturase (D5D) activity was estimated as 20:4/20:3-ratio. Using multivariable Cox regression models, we examined the associations of TFA subtypes with incident T2D and class-specific associations of OCFA and n-6 PUFAs with T2D risk. Results: 16:1n-7t, 18:1n-7t, and c9t11-CLA were positively correlated with the intake of fat-rich dairy foods. iTFA 18:1 isomers were positively correlated with margarine. After adjustment for confounders and other TFAs, higher plasma phospholipid concentrations of two rTFAs were associated with a lower incidence of T2D: 18:1n-7t and t10c12-CLA. In contrast, the rTFA c9t11-CLA was associated with a higher incidence of T2D. rTFA 16:1n-7t and iTFAs (18:1n-6t, 18:1n-9t, 18:2n-6,9t) were not statistically significantly associated with T2D risk. We observed heterogeneous integration of OCFA in different lipid classes, and the contribution of 15:0 versus 17:0 to the total OCFA abundance differed across lipid classes. Consumption of fat-rich dairy and fiber-rich foods were positively and red meat inversely correlated to OCFA abundance in plasma phospholipid classes. In women only, higher abundances of 15:0 in phosphatidylcholines (PC) and diacylglycerols (DG), and 17:0 in PC, lysophosphatidylcholines (LPC), and cholesterol esters (CE) were inversely associated with T2D risk. In men and women, a higher abundance of 15:0 in monoacylglycerols (MG) was also inversely associated with T2D. Conversely, a higher 15:0 concentration in LPC and triacylglycerols (TG) was associated with higher T2D risk in men. Women with a higher concentration of 17:0 as free fatty acids (FFA) also had higher T2D incidence. The integration of n-6 PUFAs in lipid classes was also heterogeneous. 18:2 was highly abundant in phospholipids (particularly PC), CE, and TG; 20:3 represented a small fraction of FA in most lipid classes, and 20:4 accounted for a large proportion of circulating phosphatidylinositol (PI) and phosphatidylethanolamines (PE). Higher concentrations of 18:2 were inversely associated with T2D risk, especially within DG, TG, and LPC. However, 18:2 as part of MG was positively associated with T2D risk. Higher concentrations of 20:3 in phospholipids (PC, PE, PI), FFA, CE, and MG were linked to higher T2D incidence. 20:4 was unrelated to risk in most lipid classes, except positive associations were observed for 20:4 enriched in FFA and PE. The estimated D5D activities in PC, PE, PI, LPC, and CE were inversely associated with T2D and explained variance of estimated D5D activity by genomic variation in the FADS locus was only substantial in those lipid classes. Conclusion: The TFAs' conformation is essential in their relationship to diabetes risk, as indicated by plasma rTFA subtypes concentrations having opposite directions of associations with diabetes risk. Plasma OCFA concentration is linked to T2D risk in a lipid class and sex-specific manner. Plasma n-6 PUFA concentrations are associated differently with T2D incidence depending on the specific FA and the lipid class. Overall, these results highlight the complexity of circulating FAs and their heterogeneous association with T2D risk depending on the specific FA structure, lipid class, and sex. My results extend the evidence of the relationship between diet, lipid metabolism, and subsequent T2D risk. In addition, my work generated several potential new biomarkers of dietary intake and prospective T2D risk.}, language = {en} }