@article{HenzeFreyRailaetal.2010, author = {Henze, Andrea and Frey, Simone K. and Raila, Jens and Scholze, Alexandra and Spranger, Joachim and Weickert, Martin O. and Tepel, Martin and Zidek, Walter and Schweigert, Florian J.}, title = {Alterations of retinol-binding protein 4 species in patients with different stages of chronic kidney disease and their relation to lipid parameters}, issn = {0006-291X}, doi = {10.1016/j.bbrc.2010.01.082}, year = {2010}, abstract = {Retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) is elevated in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and has been discussed as marker of kidney function. In addition to an elevated concentration, the existence of truncated RBP4 species, RBP4-L (truncated at last C-terminal leucine) and RBP4-LL (truncated at both C-terminal leucines), has been reported in serum of hemodialysis patients. Since little is known about the occurrence of RBP4 species during the progression of CKD it was the aim of this study to analyse this possible association. The presence of RBP4, RBP4-L, RBP4- LL and transthyretin (TTR) was assessed in serum of 45 healthy controls and 52 patients with stage 2-5 of CKD using ELISA and RBP4 immunoprecipitation with subsequent MALDI-TOF-MS analysis. A reduction of glomerular filtration rate was accompanied by a gradual elevation of RBP4 serum levels and relative amounts of RBP4-LL. Correlation analysis revealed a strong association of the RBP4-TTR ratio with parameters of lipid metabolism and with diabetes-related factors. In conclusion, RBP4 serum concentration and the appearance of RBP4-LL seem to be influenced by kidney function. Furthermore, the RBP4-TTR ratio may provide diagnostic potential with regard to metabolic complications in CKD patients.}, language = {en} } @article{FritzscheSchuchardtSchmidtetal.2010, author = {Fritzsche, Britta and Schuchardt, Jan-Philipp and Schmidt, Anja and Nau, Heinz and Schweigert, Florian J. and Ruehl, Ralph}, title = {CYP26A1-specific antagonist influence on embryonic implantation, gene expression and endogenous retinoid concentration in rats}, issn = {0890-6238}, doi = {10.1016/j.reprotox.2010.05.005}, year = {2010}, abstract = {Retinoids are essential in vertebrate reproduction and embryonic development. All-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) is tightly regulated during these processes. CYP26A1 is mainly responsible for its degradation. To study the role of CYP26A1 during implantation, we applied R115866, a CYP26A1-specific antagonist, to rats during early gestation days (GD). On GD 6.5 and 12 samples were collected and the number of embryos was evaluated. ATRA concentration increased in uterus and serum, mRNA expression of CYP26A1 and CRABP2 increased in the liver, but not in the uterus. Uterine COX1 and 17 beta HSD mRNA expression was decreased. The number of embryos on GD 12 was not altered in this setting. It can be concluded that uterine expression of the analyzed retinoid-response genes during early gestation is not altered by this R115866 treatment and instead indirectly via ATRA. From our experiment we cannot confirm that ATRA obtains a major influencing role in the regulation of embryonic implantation.}, language = {en} } @article{CarlsohnRohnMayeretal.2010, author = {Carlsohn, Anja and Rohn, Sascha and Mayer, Frank and Schweigert, Florian J.}, title = {Physical activity, antioxidant status, and protein modification in adolescent athletes}, issn = {0195-9131}, doi = {10.1249/Mss.0b013e3181c74f7b}, year = {2010}, abstract = {Exercise may increase reactive oxygen species production, which might impair cell integrity and contractile function of muscle cells. However, little is known about the effect of regular exercise on the antioxidant status of adolescents. Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of exercise on the antioxidant status and protein modifications in adolescent athletes. Methods: In 90 athletes and 18 controls (16 +/- 2 yr), exercise-related energy expenditure was calculated on the basis of a 7-d activity protocol. Antioxidant intake and plasma concentrations of alpha-tocopherol, carotenoids, and uric acid were analyzed. Plasma antioxidant activity was determined by Trolox equivalent (TE) antioxidant capacity and electron spin resonance spectrometry. Protein modifications were assessed with structural changes of transthyretin using a matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA and post hoc by the Tukey-Kramer test (alpha = 0.05). Results: Antioxidant intake correlated with energy intake and was within the recommended daily allowance for vitamins C and E and beta-carotene. Plasma levels of neither nutritional antioxidants nor uric acid differed between the groups. TE antioxidant capacity was higher in athletes (men = 1.47 perpendicular to 0.2 mmol TE per liter, women = 1.45 perpendicular to 0.2 mmol TE per liter) compared with controls (men = 1.17 +/- 0.04 mmol TE per liter, women = 1.14 +/- 0.04 mmol TE per liter) and increased with exercise-related energy expenditure (P = 0.007). Transthyretin cysteinylation rate differed between the groups, with the highest rate of protein modifications in moderately active subjects (P = 0.007). Conclusions: Results suggest that if the nutritional choice of athletes is well balanced, enough antioxidants are provided to meet recommended amounts. Moreover, regular exercise increases blood antioxidant capacity in young athletes, whereas chronic exercise was not shown to promote protein modifications. Thus, in young athletes who are sufficiently supplied with antioxidants, beneficial effects of exercise on antioxidant status rather than on oxidative stress may be anticipated.}, language = {en} } @article{BobbertRailaSchwarzetal.2010, author = {Bobbert, Thomas and Raila, Jens and Schwarz, Franziska and Mai, Knut and Henze, Andrea and Pfeiffer, Andreas F. H. and Schweigert, Florian J. and Spranger, Joachim}, title = {Relation between retinol, retinol-binding protein 4, transthyretin and carotid intima media thickness}, issn = {0021-9150}, doi = {10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2010.07.063}, year = {2010}, abstract = {Objective: Retinol is transported in a complex with retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) and transthyretin (TTR) in the circulation. While retinol is associated with various cardiovascular risk factors, the relation between retinol, RBP4, TTR and carotid intima media thickness (IMT) has not been analysed yet. Methods: Retinol, RBP4 and TTR were measured in 96 individuals and their relation to mean and maximal IMT was determined. Results: Mean IMT correlated with RBP4 (r = 0.335, p < 0.001), retinol (r = -0.241, p = 0.043), RBP/TTR ratio (r = 0.254, p = 0.025) and retinol/RBP4 ratio (r = -0.549, p < 0.001). Adjustment for age, sex, BMI, blood pressure, HDL/total cholesterol ratio, triglyceride, diabetes and smoking revealed that the retinol/RBP4 ratio was strongly and independently associated with mean IMT. Similar results were found for maximal IMT, which included the measurement of plaques. Conclusion: The data support that the transport complex of vitamin A is associated with the IMT, an established parameter of atherosclerosis. Changes in RBP4 saturation with retinol may link renal dysfunction and insulin resistance to atherosclerosis.}, language = {en} }