@phdthesis{Banerjee2020,
  author    = {Banerjee, Pallavi},
  title     = {Glycosylphosphatidylinositols (GPIs) and GPI-anchored proteins tethered to lipid bilayers},
  doi       = {10.25932/publishup-48956},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-489561},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam},
  pages     = {xv, 141},
  year      = {2020},
  abstract  = {Glycosylphosphatidylinositols (GPIs) are highly complex glycolipids that serve as membrane anchors to a large variety of eukaryotic proteins. These are covalently attached to a group of peripheral proteins called GPI-anchored proteins (GPI-APs) through a post-translational modification in the endoplasmic reticulum. The GPI anchor is a unique structure composed of a glycan, with phospholipid tail at one end and a phosphoethanolamine linker at the other where the protein attaches. The glycan part of the GPI comprises a conserved pseudopentasaccharide core that could branch out to carry additional glycosyl or phosphoethanolamine units. GPI-APs are involved in a diverse range of cellular processes, few of which are signal transduction, protein trafficking, pathogenesis by protozoan parasites like the malaria- causing parasite Plasmodium falciparum. GPIs can also exist freely on the membrane surface without an attached protein such as those found in parasites like Toxoplasma gondii, the causative agent of Toxoplasmosis. These molecules are both structurally and functionally diverse, however, their structure-function relationship is still poorly understood. This is mainly because no clear picture exists regarding how the protein and the glycan arrange with respect to the lipid layer. Direct experimental evidence is rather scarce, due to which inconclusive pictures have emerged, especially regarding the orientation of GPIs and GPI-APs on membrane surfaces and the role of GPIs in membrane organization. It appears that computational modelling through molecular dynamics simulations would be a useful method to make progress. In this thesis, we attempt to explore characteristics of GPI anchors and GPI-APs embedded in lipid bilayers by constructing molecular models at two different resolutions - all-atom and coarse-grained. First, we show how to construct a modular molecular model of GPIs and GPI-anchored proteins that can be readily extended to a broad variety of systems, addressing the micro-heterogeneity of GPIs. We do so by creating a hybrid link to which GPIs of diverse branching and lipid tails of varying saturation with their optimized force fields, GLYCAM06 and Lipid14 respectively, can be attached. Using microsecond simulations, we demonstrate that GPI prefers to "flop-down" on the membrane, thereby, strongly interacting with the lipid heads, over standing upright like a "lollipop". Secondly, we extend the model of the GPI core to carry out a systematic study of the structural aspects of GPIs carrying different side chains (parasitic and human GPI variants) inserted in lipid bilayers. Our results demonstrate the importance of the side branch residues as these are the most accessible, and thereby, recognizable epitopes. This finding qualitatively agrees with experimental observations that highlight the role of the side branches in immunogenicity of GPIs and the specificity thereof. The overall flop-down orientation of the GPIs with respect to the bilayer surface presents the side chain residues to face the solvent. Upon attaching the green fluorescent protein (GFP) to the GPI, it is seen to lie in close proximity to the bilayer, interacting both with the lipid heads and glycan part of the GPI. However the orientation of GFP is sensitive to the type of GPI it is attached to. Finally, we construct a coarse-grained model of the GPI and GPI-anchored GFP using a modified version of the MARTINI force-field, using which the timescale is enhanced by at least an order of magnitude compared to the atomistic system. This study provides a theoretical perspective on the conformational behavior of the GPI core and some of its branched variations in presence of lipid bilayers, as well as draws comparisons with experimental observations. Our modular atomistic model of GPI can be further employed to study GPIs of variable branching, and thereby, aid in designing future experiments especially in the area of vaccines and drug therapies. Our coarse-grained model can be used to study dynamic aspects of GPIs and GPI-APs w.r.t plasma membrane organization. Furthermore, the backmapping technique of converting coarse-grained trajectory back to the atomistic model would enable in-depth structural analysis with ample conformational sampling.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{BhuvaneshMachatschekLysyakovaetal.2019,
  author    = {Bhuvanesh, Thanga and Machatschek, Rainhard Gabriel and Lysyakova, Liudmila and Kratz, Karl and Schulz, Burkhard and Ma, Nan and Lendlein, Andreas},
  title     = {Collagen type-IV Langmuir and Langmuir-Schafer layers as model biointerfaces to direct stem cell adhesion},
  series = {Biomedical materials : materials for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine},
  volume    = {14},
  journal   = {Biomedical materials : materials for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine},
  number    = {2},
  publisher = {Inst. of Physics Publ.},
  address   = {Bristol},
  issn      = {1748-6041},
  doi       = {10.1088/1748-605X/aaf464},
  pages     = {17},
  year      = {2019},
  abstract  = {In biomaterial development, the design of material surfaces that mimic the extra-cellular matrix (ECM) in order to achieve favorable cellular instruction is rather challenging. Collagen-type IV (Col-IV), the major scaffolding component of Basement Membranes (BM), a specialized ECM with multiple biological functions, has the propensity to form networks by self-assembly and supports adhesion of cells such as endothelial cells or stem cells. The preparation of biomimetic Col-IV network-like layers to direct cell responses is difficult. We hypothesize that the morphology of the layer, and especially the density of the available adhesion sites, regulates the cellular adhesion to the layer. The Langmuir monolayer technique allows for preparation of thin layers with precisely controlled packing density at the air-water (A-W) interface. Transferring these layers onto cell culture substrates using the Langmuir-Schafer (LS) technique should therefore provide a pathway for preparation of BM mimicking layers with controlled cell adherence properties. In situ characterization using ellipsometry and polarization modulation-infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy of Col-IV layer during compression at the A-W interface reveal that there is linear increase of surface molecule concentration with negligible orientational changes up to a surface pressure of 25 mN m(-1). Smooth and homogeneous Col-IV network-like layers are successfully transferred by LS method at 15 mN m(-1) onto poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), which is a common substrate for cell culture. In contrast, the organization of Col-IV on PET prepared by the traditionally employed solution deposition method results in rather inhomogeneous layers with the appearance of aggregates and multilayers. Progressive increase in the number of early adherent mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) after 24 h by controlling the areal Col-IV density by LS transfer at 10, 15 and 20 mN m(-1) on PET is shown. The LS method offers the possibility to control protein characteristics on biomaterial surfaces such as molecular density and thereby, modulate cell responses.},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Bishop2022,
  author    = {Bishop, Christopher Allen},
  title     = {Influence of dairy intake on odd-chain fatty acids and energy metabolism},
  doi       = {10.25932/publishup-56154},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-561541},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam},
  pages     = {xii, 104, xv},
  year      = {2022},
  abstract  = {As of late, epidemiological studies have highlighted a strong association of dairy intake with lower disease risk, and similarly with an increased amount of odd-chain fatty acids (OCFA). While the OCFA also demonstrate inverse associations with disease incidence, the direct dietary sources and mode of action of the OCFA remain poorly understood. The overall aim of this thesis was to determine the impact of two main fractions of dairy, milk fat and milk protein, on OCFA levels and their influence on health outcomes under high-fat (HF) diet conditions. Both fractions represent viable sources of OCFA, as milk fats contain a significant amount of OCFA and milk proteins are high in branched chain amino acids (BCAA), namely valine (Val) and isoleucine (Ile), which can produce propionyl-CoA (Pr-CoA), a precursor for endogenous OCFA synthesis, while leucine (Leu) does not. Additionally, this project sought to clarify the specific metabolic effects of the OCFA heptadecanoic acid (C17:0). Both short-term and long-term feeding studies were performed using male C57BL/6JRj mice fed HF diets supplemented with milk fat or C17:0, as well as milk protein or individual BCAA (Val; Leu) to determine their influences on OCFA and metabolic health. Short-term feeding revealed that both milk fractions induce OCFA in vivo, and the increases elicited by milk protein could be, in part, explained by Val intake. In vitro studies using primary hepatocytes further showed an induction of OCFA after Val treatment via de novo lipogenesis and increased α-oxidation. In the long-term studies, both milk fat and milk protein increased hepatic and circulating OCFA levels; however, only milk protein elicited protective effects on adiposity and hepatic fat accumulation—likely mediated by the anti-obesogenic effects of an increased Leu intake. In contrast, Val feeding did not increase OCFA levels nor improve obesity, but rather resulted in glucotoxicity-induced insulin resistance in skeletal muscle mediated by its metabolite 3-hydroxyisobutyrate (3-HIB). Finally, while OCFA levels correlated with improved health outcomes, C17:0 produced negligible effects in preventing HF-diet induced health impairments. The results presented herein demonstrate that the beneficial health outcomes associated with dairy intake are likely mediated through the effects of milk protein, while OCFA levels are likely a mere association and do not play a significant causal role in metabolic health under HF conditions. Furthermore, the highly divergent metabolic effects of the two BCAA, Leu and Val, unraveled herein highlight the importance of protein quality.},
  language  = {en}
}
@misc{BiterovaEsmaeeliMoghaddamTabalvandaniAlanenetal.2018,
  author    = {Biterova, Ekaterina and Esmaeeli Moghaddam Tabalvandani, Mariam and Alanen, Heli I. and Saaranen, Mirva and Ruddock, Lloyd W.},
  title     = {Structures of Angptl3 and Angptl4},
  series = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe},
  journal   = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe},
  number    = {1048},
  issn      = {1866-8372},
  doi       = {10.25932/publishup-46794},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-467943},
  pages     = {14},
  year      = {2018},
  abstract  = {Coronary artery disease is the most common cause of death globally and is linked to a number of risk factors including serum low density lipoprotein, high density lipoprotein, triglycerides and lipoprotein(a). Recently two proteins, angiopoietin-like protein 3 and 4, have emerged from genetic studies as being factors that significantly modulate plasma triglyceride levels and coronary artery disease. The exact function and mechanism of action of both proteins remains to be elucidated, however, mutations in these proteins results in up to 34\% reduction in coronary artery disease and inhibition of function results in reduced plasma triglyceride levels. Here we report the crystal structures of the fibrinogen-like domains of both proteins. These structures offer new insights into the reported loss of function mutations, the mechanisms of action of the proteins and open up the possibility for the rational design of low molecular weight inhibitors for intervention in coronary artery disease.},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Buller2013,
  author    = {Buller, Jens},
  title     = {Entwicklung neuer stimuli-sensitiver Hydrogelfilme als Plattform f{\"u}r die Biosensorik},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus-66261},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam},
  year      = {2013},
  abstract  = {Diese Arbeit befasst sich mit der Synthese und der Charakterisierung von thermoresponsiven Polymeren und ihrer Immobilisierung auf festen Oberfl{\"a}chen als nanoskalige d{\"u}nne Schichten. Dabei wurden thermoresponsive Polymere vom Typ der unteren kritischen Entmischungstemperatur (engl.: lower critical solution temperature, LCST) verwendet. Sie sind bei niedrigeren Temperaturen im L{\"o}sungsmittel gut und nach Erw{\"a}rmen oberhalb einer bestimmten kritischen Temperatur nicht mehr l{\"o}slich; d. h. sie weisen bei einer bestimmten Temperatur einen Phasen{\"u}bergang auf. Als Basismaterial wurden verschiedene thermoresponsive und biokompatible Polymere basierend auf Diethylenglykolmethylethermethacrylat (MEO2MA) und Oligo(ethylenglykol)methylethermethacrylat (OEGMA475, Mn = 475 g/ mol) {\"u}ber frei radikalische Copolymerisation synthetisiert. Der thermoresponsive Phasen{\"u}bergang der Copolymere wurde in w{\"a}ssriger L{\"o}sung und in gequollenen vernetzten d{\"u}nnen Schichten beobachtet. Außerdem wurde untersucht, inwiefern eine selektive Proteinbindung an geeignete funktionalisierte Copolymere die Phasen{\"u}bergangstemperatur beeinflusst. Die thermoresponsiven Copolymere wurden {\"u}ber photovernetzbare Gruppen auf festen Oberfl{\"a}chen immobilisiert. Die n{\"o}tigen lichtempfindlichen Vernetzereinheiten wurden mittels des polymerisierbaren Benzophenonderivates 2 (4 Benzoylphenoxy)ethylmethacrylat (BPEM) in das Copolymer integriert. D{\"u}nne Filme der Copolymere mit ca. 100 nm Schichtdicke wurden {\"u}ber Rotationsbeschichtung auf Siliziumwafer aufgeschleudert und anschließend durch Bestrahlung mit UV Licht vernetzt und auf der Oberfl{\"a}che immobilisiert. Die Filme sind stabiler je gr{\"o}ßer der Vernetzeranteil und je gr{\"o}ßer die Molmasse der Copolymere ist. Bei einem Waschprozess nach der Vernetzung wird beispielsweise aus einem Film mit moderater Molmasse und geringem Vernetzeranteil mehr unvernetztes Copolymer ausgewaschen als bei einem h{\"o}hermolekularen Copolymer mit hohem Vernetzeranteil. Die Quellbarkeit der Polymerschichten wurde mit Ellipsometrie untersucht. Sie ist gr{\"o}ßer je geringer der Vernetzeranteil in den Copolymeren ist. Schichten aus thermoresponsiven OEG Copolymeren zeigen einen Volumenphasen{\"u}bergang vom Typ der LCST. Der thermoresponsive Kollaps der Schichten ist komplett reversibel, die Kollapstemperatur kann {\"u}ber die Zusammensetzung der Copolymere eingestellt werden. F{\"u}r einen Vergleich dieser Eigenschaften mit dem gut charakterisierten und derzeit wohl am h{\"a}ufigsten untersuchten thermoresponsiven Polymer Poly(N-isopropylacrylamid) (PNIPAM) wurden zus{\"a}tzlich photovernetzte Schichten aus PNIPAM hergestellt und ebenfalls ellipsometrisch vermessen. Im Vergleich zu PNIPAM verl{\"a}uft der Phasen{\"u}bergang der Schichten aus den Copolymeren mit Oligo(ethylenglykol)-seitenketten (OEG Copolymere) {\"u}ber einen gr{\"o}ßeren Temperaturbereich. Mit Licht einer Wellenl{\"a}nge > 300 nm wurden die photosensitiven Benzophenongruppen selektiv angeregt. Bei der Verwendung kleinerer Wellenl{\"a}ngen vernetzten die Copolymerschichten auch ohne die Anwesenheit der lichtempfindlichen Benzophenongruppen. Dieser Effekt ließ sich zur kontrollierten Immobilisierung und Vernetzung der OEG Copolymere einsetzen. Als weitere Methode zur Immobilisierung der Copolymere wurde die Anbindung {\"u}ber Amidbindungen untersucht. Dazu wurden OEG Copolymere mit dem carboxylgruppenhaltigen 2 Succinyloxyethylmethacrylat (MES) auf mit 3 Aminopropyldimethylethoxysilan (APDMSi) silanisierte Siliziumwafer rotationsbeschichtet, und mit dem oligomeren α, ω Diamin Jeffamin® ED 900 vernetzt. Die Vernetzungsreaktion erfolgte ohne weitere Zus{\"a}tze durch Erhitzen der Proben. Die Hydrogelschichten waren anschließend stabil und zeigten neben thermoresponsivem auch pH responsives Verhalten. Um zu untersuchen, ob die Phasen{\"u}bergangstemperatur durch eine Proteinbindung beeinflusst werden kann, wurde ein polymerisierbares Biotinderivat 2 Biotinyl-aminoethylmethacrylat (BAEMA) in das thermoresponsive Copolymer eingebaut. Der Einfluss des biotinbindenen Proteins Avidin auf das thermoresponsive Verhalten des Copolymers in L{\"o}sung wurde untersucht. Die spezifische Bindung von Avidin an das biotinylierte Copolymer verschob die {\"U}bergangstemperatur deutlich zu h{\"o}heren Temperaturen. Kontrollversuche zeigten, dass dieses Verhalten auf eine selektive Proteinbindung zur{\"u}ckzuf{\"u}hren ist. Thermoresponsive OEG Copolymere mit photovernetzbaren Gruppen aus BPEM und Biotingruppen aus BAEMA wurden {\"u}ber Rotationsbeschichtung auf Gold- und auf Siliziumoberfl{\"a}chen aufgetragen und durch UV Strahlung vernetzt. Die spezifische Bindung von Avidin an die Copolymerschicht wurde mit Oberfl{\"a}chenplasmonenresonanz und Ellipsometrie untersucht. Die Bindungskapazit{\"a}t der Schichten war umso gr{\"o}ßer, je kleiner der Vernetzeranteil, d. h. je gr{\"o}ßer die Maschenweite des Netzwerkes war. Die Quellbarkeit der Schichten wurde durch die Avidinbindung erh{\"o}ht. Bei hochgequollenen Systemen verursachte eine Mehrfachbindung des tetravalenten Avidins allerdings eine zus{\"a}tzliche Quervernetzung des Polymernetzwerkes. Dieser Effekt wirkt der erh{\"o}hten Quellbarkeit durch die Avidinbindung entgegen und l{\"a}sst die Polymernetzwerke schrumpfen.},
  language  = {de}
}
@article{EilersKleineEckertetal.2021,
  author    = {Eilers, Elisabeth Johanna and Kleine, Sandra and Eckert, Silvia and Waldherr, Simon and M{\"u}ller, Caroline},
  title     = {Flower production, headspace volatiles, pollen nutrients, and florivory in tanacetum vulgare chemotypes},
  series = {Frontiers in plant science : FPLS},
  volume    = {11},
  journal   = {Frontiers in plant science : FPLS},
  publisher = {Frontiers Media},
  address   = {Lausanne},
  issn      = {1664-462X},
  doi       = {10.3389/fpls.2020.611877},
  pages     = {17},
  year      = {2021},
  abstract  = {Floral volatiles and reward traits are major drivers for the behavior of mutualistic as well as antagonistic flower visitors, i.e., pollinators and florivores. These floral traits differ tremendously between species, but intraspecific differences and their consequences on organism interactions remain largely unknown. Floral volatile compounds, such as terpenoids, function as cues to advertise rewards to pollinators, but should at the same time also repel florivores. The reward composition, e.g., protein and lipid contents in pollen, differs between individuals of distinct plant families. Whether the nutritional value of rewards within the same plant species is linked to their chemotypes, which differ in their pattern of specialized metabolites, has yet not been investigated. In the present study, we compared Tanacetum vulgare plants of five terpenoid chemotypes with regard to flower production, floral headspace volatiles, pollen macronutrient and terpenoid content, and floral attractiveness to florivorous beetles. Our analyses revealed remarkable differences between the chemotypes in the amount and diameter of flower heads, duration of bloom period, and pollen nutritional quality. The floral headspace composition of pollen-producing mature flowers, but not of premature flowers, was correlated to that of pollen and leaves in the same plant individual. For two chemotypes, florivorous beetles discriminated between the scent of mature and premature flower heads and preferred the latter. In semi-field experiments, the abundance of florivorous beetles and flower tissue miners differed between T. vulgare chemotypes. Moreover, the scent environment affected the choice and beetles were more abundant in homogenous plots composed of one single chemotype than in plots with different neighboring chemotypes. In conclusion, flower production, floral metabolic composition and pollen quality varied to a remarkable extend within the species T. vulgare, and the attractiveness of floral scent differed also intra-individually with floral ontogeny. We found evidence for a trade-off between pollen lipid content and pollen amount on a per-plant-level. Our study highlights that chemotypes which are more susceptible to florivory are less attacked when they grow in the neighborhood of other chemotypes and thus gain a benefit from high overall chemodiversity.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{HenzeHomannRohnetal.2016,
  author    = {Henze, Andrea and Homann, Thomas and Rohn, Isabelle and Aschner, Michael A. and Link, Christopher D. and Kleuser, Burkhard and Schweigert, Florian J. and Schwerdtle, Tanja and Bornhorst, Julia},
  title     = {Caenorhabditis elegans as a model system to study post-translational modifications of human transthyretin},
  series = {Scientific reports},
  volume    = {6},
  journal   = {Scientific reports},
  publisher = {Nature Publishing Group},
  address   = {London},
  issn      = {2045-2322},
  doi       = {10.1038/srep37346},
  pages     = {12},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {The visceral protein transthyretin (TTR) is frequently affected by oxidative post-translational protein modifications (PTPMs) in various diseases. Thus, better insight into structure-function relationships due to oxidative PTPMs of TTR should contribute to the understanding of pathophysiologic mechanisms. While the in vivo analysis of TTR in mammalian models is complex, time- and resource-consuming, transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans expressing hTTR provide an optimal model for the in vivo identification and characterization of drug-mediated oxidative PTPMs of hTTR by means of matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization - time of flight - mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). Herein, we demonstrated that hTTR is expressed in all developmental stages of Caenorhabditis elegans, enabling the analysis of hTTR metabolism during the whole life-cycle. The suitability of the applied model was verified by exposing worms to D-penicillamine and menadione. Both drugs induced substantial changes in the oxidative PTPM pattern of hTTR. Additionally, for the first time a covalent binding of both drugs with hTTR was identified and verified by molecular modelling.},
  language  = {en}
}
@misc{HenzeHomannRohnetal.2016,
  author    = {Henze, Andrea and Homann, Thomas and Rohn, Isabelle and Aschner, Michael A. and Link, Christopher D. and Kleuser, Burkhard and Schweigert, Florian J. and Schwerdtle, Tanja and Bornhorst, Julia},
  title     = {Caenorhabditis elegans as a model system to study post-translational modifications of human transthyretin},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-103674},
  pages     = {12},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {The visceral protein transthyretin (TTR) is frequently affected by oxidative post-translational protein modifications (PTPMs) in various diseases. Thus, better insight into structure-function relationships due to oxidative PTPMs of TTR should contribute to the understanding of pathophysiologic mechanisms. While the in vivo analysis of TTR in mammalian models is complex, time- and resource-consuming, transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans expressing hTTR provide an optimal model for the in vivo identification and characterization of drug-mediated oxidative PTPMs of hTTR by means of matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization - time of flight - mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). Herein, we demonstrated that hTTR is expressed in all developmental stages of Caenorhabditis elegans, enabling the analysis of hTTR metabolism during the whole life-cycle. The suitability of the applied model was verified by exposing worms to D-penicillamine and menadione. Both drugs induced substantial changes in the oxidative PTPM pattern of hTTR. Additionally, for the first time a covalent binding of both drugs with hTTR was identified and verified by molecular modelling.},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Herpich2021,
  author    = {Herpich, Catrin},
  title     = {Fibroblast growth factor 21 and its association with nutritional stimuli in older age},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam},
  pages     = {75},
  year      = {2021},
  abstract  = {Fibroblast growth differentiation factor 21 (FGF21) is known as a pivotal regulator of the glucose and lipid metabolism. As such, it is considered beneficial and has even been labelled a longevity hormone. Nevertheless, recent observational studies have shown that FGF21 is increased in higher age with possible negative effects such as loss of lean and bone mass as well as decreased survival. Hepatic FGF21 secretion can be induced by various nutritional stimuli such as starvation, high carbohydrate and fat intake as well as protein deficiency.. So far it is still unclear whether the FGF21 response to different macronutrients is altered in older age. An altered response would potentially contribute to explain the higher FGF21 concentrations found in older age. In this publication-based doctoral dissertation, a cross-sectional study as well as a dietary challenge were conducted to investigate the influence of nutrition on FGF21 concentrations and response in older age. In a cross-sectional study, FGF21 concentrations were assessed in older patients with and without cachexia anorexia syndrome anorexia syndrome compared to an older community-dwelling control group. Cachexia anorexia syndrome is a multifactorial syndrome frequently occurring in old age or in the context of an underlying disease. It is characterized by a severe involuntary weight loss, loss of appetite (anorexia) and reduced food intake, therefore representing a state of severe nutrient deficiency, in some aspects similar to starvation. The highest FGF21 concentrations were found in patients with cachexia anorexia syndrome. Moreover, FGF21 was positively correlated with weight loss and loss of appetite. In addition, cachexia anorexia syndrome itself was associated with FGF21 independent of sex, age and body mass index. As cachectic patients presumably exhibit protein malnutrition and FGF21 has been proposed a marker for protein insufficiency, the higher levels of FGF21 in patients with cachexia anorexia syndrome might be partly explained by insufficient protein intake. In order to investigate the acute response of FGF21 to different nutritional stimuli, a dietary challenge with a parallel group design was conducted. Here, healthy older (65-85 years) and younger (18-35 years) adults were randomized to one of four test meals: a dextrose drink, a high carbohydrate, high fat or high protein meal. Over the course of four hours, postprandial FGF21 concentrations (dynamics) were assessed and the FGF21 response (incremental area under the curve) to each test meal was examined.. In a sub-group of older and younger women, also the adiponectin response was investigated, as adiponectin is a known mediator of FGF21 effects on glucose and lipid metabolism. The dietary meal challenge revealed that dextrose and high carbohydrate intake result in higher FGF21 concentrations after four hours in older adults. This was partly explained by higher postprandial glucose concentrations in the old. For high fat ingestion no age differences were found. For the first time, acute FGF21 response to high protein intake was shown. Here, protein ingestion resulted in lower FGF21 concentrations in younger compared to older adults. Furthermore, sufficient protein intake, according to age-dependent recommendations, of the previous day, was associated with lower FGF21 concentrations in both age groups. The higher FGF21 response to dextrose ingestion resulted in a higher adiponectin response in older women, independent of fat mass, insulin resistance, triglyceride concentrations, inflammation and oxidative stress. Following the high fat meal, adiponectin concentrations declined in older women. Adiponectin response was not affected by meal composition in younger women. In summary, this thesis showed a positive association of FGF21 and cachexia anorexia syndrome with concomitant anorexia in older patients. Regarding the acute FGF21 response, a higher response following dextrose and carbohydrate ingestion was found in older compared with younger subjects. This might be attributed to a higher glucose response in older age. Furthermore, it was shown that the higher FGF21 response after dextrose ingestion possibly contributes to a higher adiponectin response in older women, independent of potential metabolic and inflammatory confounders. Acute protein ingestion resulted in a significant decrease in FGF21 concentrations. Moreover, protein intake of the previous day was inversely associated with fasting FGF21 concentrations. This might explain why FGF21 concentrations are higher in cachexia anorexia syndrome. These results therefore support the role of FGF21 as a sensor of protein restriction.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{HoieSjoholmGuldstrandetal.2006,
  author    = {Hoie, Lars H. and Sjoholm, Ake and Guldstrand, Marie and Zunft, Hans-Joachim Franz and Lueder, Wolfgang and Graubaum, Hans-Joachim and Gr{\"u}nwald, J{\"o}rg},
  title     = {Ultra heat treatment destroys cholesterol-lowering effect of soy protein},
  series = {International journal of food sciences and nutrition},
  volume    = {57},
  journal   = {International journal of food sciences and nutrition},
  publisher = {Taylor \& Francis},
  address   = {Abingdon},
  issn      = {0963-7486},
  doi       = {10.1080/09637480601009059},
  pages     = {512 -- 519},
  year      = {2006},
  abstract  = {A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical study was performed to investigate the dose-dependent response of serum cholesterol after consuming an ultra-heat-treated milk containing a soy protein preparation. Eighty hypercholesterolemic subjects were assigned to one of four study groups receiving 12.5 or 25 g soy protein (active treatment) or casein (placebo) daily over a period of 4 weeks. The trial substances were provided as ready-made, ultra-heated milk preparations. Before and after the treatment, serum concentrations of total, low-density lipoprotein, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were determined. Unexpectedly, at the end of the study, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations were significantly increased compared with baseline in all study groups. The magnitude of this increase (17 - 19\%) was similar in all active and placebo study groups. Soy protein supplements previously shown to be effective in reducing serum cholesterol had in this study no such lipid-lowering effect after ultra heat treatment.},
  language  = {en}
}