@article{PutraNeuberReichetzederetal.2014,
  author    = {Putra, Sulistyo Emantoko Dwi and Neuber, Corinna and Reichetzeder, Christoph and Hocher, Berthold and Kleuser, Burkhard},
  title     = {Analysis of genomic DNA methylation levels in human placenta using liquid Chromatography-Electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry},
  series = {Cellular physiology and biochemistry : international journal of experimental cellular physiology, biochemistry and pharmacology},
  volume    = {33},
  journal   = {Cellular physiology and biochemistry : international journal of experimental cellular physiology, biochemistry and pharmacology},
  number    = {4},
  publisher = {Karger},
  address   = {Basel},
  issn      = {1015-8987},
  doi       = {10.1159/000358666},
  pages     = {945 -- 952},
  year      = {2014},
  abstract  = {Background: DNA-methylation is a common epigenetic tool which plays a crucial role in gene regulation and is essential for cell differentiation and embryonic development. The placenta is an important organ where gene activity can be regulated by epigenetic DNA modifications, including DNA methylation. This is of interest as, the placenta is the interface between the fetus and its environment, the mother. Exposure to environmental toxins and nutrition during pregnancy may alter DNA methylation of the placenta and subsequently placental function and as a result the phenotype of the offspring. The aim of this study was to develop a reliable method to quantify DNA methylation in large clinical studies. This will be a tool to analyze the degree of DNA methylation in the human placenta in relationship to clinical readouts. Methods: Liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization/multi-stage mass spectrometry (LC-ESI/MS/MS) technique was used for the quantification of the 5dmC/dG ratio in placentas from 248 healthy pregnancies. We were able to demonstrate that this method is a reliable and stable way to determine global placental DNA methylation in large clinical trials. Results/Conclusion: The degree of placental DNA methylation seen in our pilot study varies substantially from 2\% to 5\%. The clinical implications of this variation need to be demonstrated in adequately powered large studies.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{ReichelHoenigLiebischetal.2015,
  author    = {Reichel, Martin and Hoenig, Stefanie and Liebisch, Gerhard and L{\"u}th, Anja and Kleuser, Burkhard and Gulbins, Erich and Schmitz, Gerd and Kornhuber, Johannes},
  title     = {Alterations of plasma glycerophospholipid and sphingolipid species in male alcohol-dependent patients},
  series = {Biochimica et biophysica acta : Molecular and cell biology of lipids},
  volume    = {1851},
  journal   = {Biochimica et biophysica acta : Molecular and cell biology of lipids},
  number    = {11},
  publisher = {Elsevier},
  address   = {Amsterdam},
  issn      = {1388-1981},
  doi       = {10.1016/j.bbalip.2015.08.005},
  pages     = {1501 -- 1510},
  year      = {2015},
  abstract  = {Background: Alcohol abuse is a major risk factor for somatic and neuropsychiatric diseases. Despite their potential clinical importance, little is known about the alterations of plasma glycerophospholipid (GPL) and sphingolipid (SPL) species associated with alcohol abuse. Methods: Plasma GPL and SPL species were quantified using electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry in samples from 23 male alcohol-dependent patients before and after detoxification, as well as from 20 healthy male controls. Results: A comparison of alcohol-dependent patients with controls revealed higher phosphatidylcholine (PC; P-value = 0.008) and phosphatidylinositol (PI; P-value = 0.001) concentrations in patients before detoxification, and higher PI (P-value = 0.001) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE)-based plasmalogen (PEP; P-value = 0.003) concentrations after detoxification. Lysophosphatidylcholines (LPC) were increased by acute intoxication (P-value = 0.002). Sphingomyelin (SM) concentration increased during detoxification (P-value = 0.011). The concentration of SM 23:0 was lower in patients (P-value = 2.79 x 10(-5)), and the concentrations of ceramide Cer d18:1/16:0 and Cer d18:1/18:0 were higher in patients (P-value = 2.45 x 10(-5) and 3.73 x 10(-5)). Activity of lysosomal acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) in patients correlated positively with the concentrations of eight LPC species, while activity of secreted ASM was inversely correlated with several PE, PI and PC species, and positively correlated with the molar ratio of PC to SM (Pearson's r = 0.432; P-value = 0.039). Conclusion: Plasma concentrations of numerous GPL and SPL species were altered in alcohol-dependent patients. These molecules might serve as potential biomarkers to improve the diagnosis of patients and to indicate health risks associated with alcohol abuse. Our study further indicates that there are strong interactions between plasma GPL concentrations and SPL metabolism. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.},
  language  = {en}
}