@article{SchweigertBatheChenetal.2004,
  author    = {Schweigert, Florian J. and Bathe, Katharina and Chen, Frank and B{\"u}scher, Ulrich and Dudenhausen, Joachim W.},
  title     = {Effect of the stage of lactation in humans on carotenoid levels in milk, blood plasma and plasma lipoprotein fractions},
  year      = {2004},
  abstract  = {In mammals the composition of milk changes during early lactation, with a rapid decline of fat-soluble vitamins and a continuous increase in total lipids. The mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are not well understood, but might involve selective mechanisms related to mammary uptake or secretion into the milk. Since carotenoids are specifically distributed among the lipoprotein fractions in plasma, the simultaneous determination of carotenoids in plasma, lipoprotein fractions and milk might offer an opportunity to gain insight into this phenomenon. In 21 healthy mothers carotenoids in plasma and lipoprotein fractions were investigated at day 2 and 19 and milk on day 4 and 19 after delivery. Plasma levels of alpha-tocopherol and cholesterol as well as lutein, zeaxanthin and cryptoxanthin were significantly lower later in lactation (day 19) than shortly after birth (P < 0.01). The stage of lactation had no effect on the distribution of carotenoids and -tocopherol among the plasma lipoprotein fractions. In milk, triacylglycerol increased (P < 0.01). In contrast, levels of carotenoids, alpha- tocopherol and vitamin A were highest in colostrum and declined (P < 0.01). Because the magnitude of decrease was not the same in all carotenoids, the carotenoid pattern changed substantially. In colostrum the carotenoid pattern resembled those of plasma and the low- density lipoprotein fraction. In mature milk it was similar to the pattern found in the high density lipoprotein fraction. Based on these observations a selective mechanism might be responsible for the transfer of these components in milk involving different lipoprotein fractions at specific times of lactation},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{RailaWirthChenetal.2004,
  author    = {Raila, Jens and Wirth, Kerstin and Chen, Frank and B{\"u}scer, Ulrich and Dudenhausen, Joachim W. and Schweigert, Florian J.},
  title     = {Excretion of vitamin A in urine of women during Normal pregnancy and pregnancy complications},
  issn      = {0250-6807},
  year      = {2004},
  abstract  = {Background/Aims: The renal function, including the excretion of low-molecular-weight proteins, changes during pregnancy and may cause a urinary excretion of retinol-binding protein (RBP). Whether it is accompanied by a substantial loss of vitamin A ( retinol) has not been established yet. We therefore determined the excretion of retinol and RBP in urine of pregnant women. Methods: The study involved analyses of urine samples from 40 healthy pregnant women and 29 women with pregnancy complications during the third trimester. Analyses of plasma and urine of 7 healthy women and 5 women with pregnancy complications were also carried out 6 weeks antepartum, at time of delivery and 1 week postpartum. Results: Urinary retinol was higher in women who suffered from pregnancy disorders with an influence on maternal metabolism ( p < 0.01). RBP was excreted at substantial concentrations in the urine of all 69 women, but there were no differences between the groups. Women with a concomitant excretion of retinol had higher levels of urinary RBP than those without a retinol excretion ( p < 0.05). Differences in plasma retinol and RBP were not significant. Conclusion: The excretion of urinary retinol may increase significantly during pregnancy complications, which needs further clarification to which extent this condition may negatively affect the vitamin A status in such women. Copyright (C) 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{BatheChenBuescheretal.2000,
  author    = {Bathe, Katharina and Chen, Frank and B{\"u}scher, Ulrich and Dudenhausen, Joachim W. and Schweigert, Florian J.},
  title     = {Ver{\"a}nderung der Carotinoidkonzentration im Serum und in der Milch im Verlauf der Laktation der Frau},
  year      = {2000},
  language  = {de}
}