TY - JOUR A1 - Hocher, Berthold A1 - Groen, Hans Jürgen A1 - Schumann, Claudia A1 - Tsuprykov, Oleg A1 - Seifert, Susanne A1 - Hitzler, Walter E. A1 - Armbruster, Franz Paul T1 - Vitamin D status from dried capillary blood samples JF - Clinical laboratory : the peer reviewed journal for clinical laboratories and laboratories related to blood transfusion N2 - Background: Given the huge impact of vitamin D deficiency on a broad spectrum of diseases such as rickets, osteoporosis, mineral bone disease-vascular calcification syndrome, infectious diseases, but also several types of cancer and CNS diseases, reliable and simple methods to analyze the vitamin D status are urgently needed. Methods: We developed an easy technique to determine the 25-OH vitamin D status from dried blood samples on filter paper. This allows determination of the 25-OH vitamin D status independently of venous blood taking, since only sampling of capillary blood is required for this new method. We compared the results of vitamin D measurements from venous blood of 96 healthy blood donors with those from capillary blood taken from the same patients at the same time. The capillary blood was dried on filter paper using the D-Vital ID dry-blood collection system. Results: 25-OH vitamin D concentration data from extracted dried capillary blood filters correlated very well with data obtained after direct measurement of venous blood samples of the same blood donor (R: 0.7936; p<0.0001). The correlation was linear over the whole range of 25-OH vitamin D concentrations seen in this study. A Bland-Altman plot revealed good agreement between both tests. Conclusions: The D-Vital ID dry-blood collection system showed an excellent performance as compared to the classical way of 25-OH vitamin D measurement from venous blood. This new technique will facilitate easy and reliable measurement for vitamin D status, in particular, in rural or isolated areas, developing countries, and field studies. KW - 25-OH vitamin D KW - filter paper KW - capillary blood KW - new analysis method Y1 - 2012 U6 - https://doi.org/10.7754/Clin.Lab.2012.120429 SN - 1433-6510 VL - 58 IS - 7-8 SP - 851 EP - 855 PB - Clin Lab Publ., Verl. Klinisches Labor CY - Heidelberg ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Rohner, Fabian A1 - Garrett, Greg S. A1 - Laillou, Arnaud A1 - Frey, Simone K. A1 - Mothes, Ralf A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. A1 - Locatelli-Rossi, Lorenzo T1 - Validation of a user-friendly and rapid method for quantifying iodine content of salt JF - Food and nutrition bulletin N2 - Background. Despite considerable progress made in the past decade through salt iodization programs, over 2 billion people worldwide still have inadequate iodine intake, with devastating consequences for brain development and intellectual capacity. To optimize these programs with regard to salt iodine content, careful monitoring of salt iodine content is essential, but few methods are available to quantitatively measure iodine concentration in a simple, fast, and safe way. Objective. We have validated a newly developed device that quantitatively measures the content of potassium iodate in salt in a simple, safe, and rapid way. Methods. The linearity, determination and detection limit, and inter- and intra-assay variability of this colorimetric method were assessed and the method was compared with iodometric titration, using salt samples from several countries. Results. Linearity of analysis ranged from 5 to 75 mg/kg iodine, with I mg/kg being the determination limit; the intra- and interassay imprecision was 0.9%, 0.5%, and 0.7% and 1.5%, 1.7%, and 2.5% for salt samples with iodine contents of 17, 30, and 55 mg/kg, respectively; the interoperator imprecision for the same samples was 1.2%, 4.9%, and 4.7%, respectively. Comparison with the iodometric method showed high agreement between the methods (R-2 = 0.978; limits of agreement, -10.5 to 10.0 mg/kg). Conclusions. The device offers a field- and user-friendly solution to quantifying potassium iodate salt content reliably. For countries that use potassium iodide in salt iodization programs, further validation is required. KW - Iodization KW - iodine KW - monitoring KW - potassium iodate KW - quality control KW - rapid test kit KW - regulatory monitoring KW - salt Y1 - 2012 SN - 0379-5721 VL - 33 IS - 4 SP - S330 EP - S335 PB - International Nutrition Foundation CY - Boston ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Raila, Jens A1 - Enjalbert, Francis A1 - Mothes, Ralf A1 - Hurtienne, Andrea A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. T1 - Validation of a new point-of-care assay for determination of ss-carotene concentration in bovine whole blood and plasma JF - Veterinary clinical pathology N2 - Background: beta-Carotene is an important precursor of vitamin A, and is associated with bovine fertility. beta-Carotene concentrations in plasma are used to optimize beta-carotene supplementation in cattle, but measurement requires specialized equipment to separate plasma and extract and measure beta-carotene, either using spectrophotometry or high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Objective: The objective of this study was to validate a new 2-step point-of-care (POC) assay for measuring beta-carotene in whole blood and plasma. Methods: beta-carotene concentrations in plasma from 166 cows were measured using HPLC and compared with results obtained using a POC assay, the iCheck-iEx-Carotene test kit. Whole blood samples from 23 of these cattle were also evaluated using the POC assay and compared with HPLC-plasma results from the same 23 animals. The POC assay includes an extraction vial (iEx Carotene) and hand-held photometer (iCheck Carotene). Results: Concentrations of beta-carotene in plasma measured using the POC assay ranged from 0.40 to 15.84 mg/L (n = 166). No differences were observed between methods for assay of plasma (mean +/- SD; n = 166): HPLC-plasma 4.23 +/- 2.35 mg/L; POC-plasma 4.49 +/- 2.36 mg/L. Similar good agreement was found when plasma analyzed using HPLC was compared with whole blood analyzed using the POC system (n = 23): HPLC-plasma 3.46 +/- 2.12 mg/L; POC-whole blood 3.67 +/- 2.29 mg/L. Conclusions: Concentrations of beta-carotene can be measured in blood and plasma from cattle easily and rapidly using a POC assay, and results are comparable to those obtained by the highly sophisticated HPLC method. Immediate feedback regarding beta-carotene deficiency facilitates rapid and appropriate optimization of beta-carotene supplementation in feed. KW - Biomarker KW - HPLC KW - method comparison KW - nutritional supplements KW - vitamin A Y1 - 2012 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1939-165X.2012.00400.x SN - 0275-6382 VL - 41 IS - 1 SP - 119 EP - 122 PB - Wiley-Blackwell CY - Malden ER - TY - THES A1 - Herbst, Uta T1 - Untersuchungen zur In-vitro-Zelltransformation in Dickdarmepithelzellen des Menschen und Dünndarmephithelzellen der Ratte durch Benzo(c)phenanthren-3,4-dihydrodiol-1,2-epoxide Y1 - 2012 CY - Potsdam ER - TY - THES A1 - Dokas, Janine T1 - Untersuchung zur Rolle von Tbc1d1 im Stoffwechsel anhand von Mausmodellen Y1 - 2012 CY - Potsdam ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Intziegianni, Konstantina A1 - Cassel, Michael A1 - Müller, Steffen A1 - Mayer, Frank T1 - Ultrasound evaluation of the patellar tendon cross-sectional area and its relation to maximum force T2 - Medicine and science in sports and exercise : official journal of the American College of Sports Medicine Y1 - 2012 SN - 0195-9131 VL - 44 SP - 714 EP - 714 PB - Lippincott Williams & Wilkins CY - Philadelphia ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Henze, Andrea A1 - Espe, Katharina M. A1 - Wanner, Christoph A1 - Krane, Vera A1 - Raila, Jens A1 - Hocher, Berthold A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. A1 - Drechsler, Christiane T1 - Transthyretin predicts cardiovascular outcome in hemodialysis patients with type 2 diabetes JF - Diabetes care N2 - OBJECTIVE-BMI and albumin are commonly accepted parameters to recognize wasting in dialysis patients and are powerful predictors of morbidity and mortality. However, both parameters reveal limitations and may not cover the entire range of patients with wasting. The visceral protein transthyretin (TTR) may be helpful in overcoming the diagnostic and prognostic gap. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the association of TTR with morbidity and mortality in hemodialysis patients. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS-The TTR concentration was determined in plasma samples of 1,177 hemodialysis patients with type 2 diabetes. Cox regression analyses were used to determine hazard ratios (HRs) for the risk of cardiovascular end points (CVEs) and mortality according to quartiles of TTR concentration for the total study cohort and the subgroups BMI >= 23 kg/m(2), albumin concentration >= 3.8 g/dL, and a combination of both. RESULTS-A low TTR concentration was associated with an increased risk for CVE for the total study cohort (HR 1.65 [95% CI 1.27-2.14]), patients with BMI >= 23 kg/m(2) (1.70 [1.22-2.37]), albumin >= 3.8 g/dL (1.68 [1.17-2.42]), and the combination of both (1.69 [1.13-2.53]). Additionally, a low TTR concentration predicted mortality for the total study cohort (1.79 [1.43-2.24]) and patients with BMI >= 23 kg/m(2) (1.46 [1.09-1.95]). CONCLUSIONS-The current study demonstrated that TTR is a useful predictor for cardiovascular outcome and mortality in diabetic hemodialysis patients. TTR was particularly useful in patients who were not identified to be at risk by BMI or albumin status. Y1 - 2012 U6 - https://doi.org/10.2337/dc12-0455 SN - 0149-5992 VL - 35 IS - 11 SP - 2365 EP - 2372 PB - American Diabetes Association CY - Alexandria ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Boehm, Andreas A1 - Polzin, A. A1 - Lueth, Anja A1 - Kleuser, Burkhard A1 - Rassaf, T. A1 - Kelm, M. A1 - Kroemer, H. K. A1 - Schroer, K. A1 - Rauch, B. H. T1 - The release of sphingosine-1-phosphate from human platelets during acute coronary syndrome is attenuated by aspirin T2 - NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERGS ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY Y1 - 2012 SN - 0028-1298 VL - 385 SP - 12 EP - 12 PB - Springer CY - New York ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Weber, Josefine A1 - Müller, Juliane A1 - Otto, Christoph A1 - Scharhag-Rosenberger, Friederike A1 - Carlsohn, Anja A1 - Mayer, Frank T1 - Test-retest-reliability of metabolic and cardiovascular load during isokinetic strength testing T2 - Medicine and science in sports and exercise : official journal of the American College of Sports Medicine Y1 - 2012 SN - 0195-9131 VL - 44 SP - 375 EP - 376 PB - Lippincott Williams & Wilkins CY - Philadelphia ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Szymanski, Kolja V. A1 - Tönnies, Mario A1 - Becher, Anne A1 - Fatykhova, Diana A1 - N'Guessan, Philippe D. A1 - Gutbier, Birgitt A1 - Klauschen, Frederick A1 - Neuschäfer-Rube, Frank A1 - Schneider, Paul A1 - Rückert, Jens A1 - Neudecker, Jens A1 - Bauer, Torsten T. A1 - Dalhoff, Klaus A1 - Droemann, Daniel A1 - Gruber, Achim D. A1 - Kershaw, Olivia A1 - Temmesfeld-Wollbrueck, Bettina A1 - Suttorp, Norbert A1 - Hippenstiel, Stefan A1 - Hocke, Andreas C. T1 - Streptococcus pneumoniae-induced regulation of cyclooxygenase-2 in human lung tissue JF - The European respiratory journal : official journal of the European Society for Clinical Respiratory Physiology N2 - The majority of cases of community-acquired pneumonia are caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae and most studies on pneumococcal host interaction are based on cell culture or animal experiments. Thus, little is known about infections in human lung tissue. Cyclooxygenase-2 and its metabolites play an important regulatory role in lung inflammation. Therefore, we established a pneumococcal infection model on human lung tissue demonstrating mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-dependent induction of cyclooxygenase-2 and its related metabolites. In addition to alveolar macrophages and the vascular endothelium, cyclooxygenase-2 was upregulated in alveolar type II but not type I epithelial cells, which was confirmed in lungs of patients suffering from acute pneumonia. Moreover, we demonstrated the expression profile of all four E prostanoid receptors at the mRNA level and showed functionality of the E prostanoid(4) receptor by cyclic adenosine monophosphate production. Additionally, in comparison to previous studies, cyclooxygenase-2/prostaglandin E-2 related pro- and anti-inflammatory mediator regulation was partly confirmed in human lung tissue after pneumococcal infection. Overall, cell type-specific and MAPK-dependent cyclooxygenase-2 expression and prostaglandin E-2 formation in human lung tissue may play an important role in the early phase of pneumococcal infections. KW - Alveolar epithelial cells KW - cytokines KW - inflammation KW - lung infection KW - pneumonia KW - prostaglandins Y1 - 2012 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1183/09031936.00186911 SN - 0903-1936 VL - 40 IS - 6 SP - 1458 EP - 1467 PB - European Respiratory Society CY - Sheffield ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Henkel, Janin A1 - Frede, Katja A1 - Schanze, Nancy A1 - Vogel, Heike A1 - Schürmann, Annette A1 - Spruß, Astrid A1 - Bergheim, Ina A1 - Püschel, Gerhard Paul T1 - Stimulation of fat accumulation in hepatocytes by PGE(2)-dependent repression of hepatic lipolysis, beta-oxidation and VLDL-synthesis JF - Laboratory investigation : the basic and translational pathology research journal ; an official journal of the United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology N2 - Hepatic steatosis is recognized as hepatic presentation of the metabolic syndrome. Hyperinsulinaemia, which shifts fatty acid oxidation to de novo lipogenesis and lipid storage in the liver, appears to be a principal elicitor particularly in the early stages of disease development. The impact of PGE(2), which has previously been shown to attenuate insulin signaling and hence might reduce insulin-dependent lipid accumulation, on insulin-induced steatosis of hepatocytes was studied. The PGE(2)-generating capacity was enhanced in various obese mouse models by the induction of cyclooxygenase 2 and microsomal prostaglandin E-synthases (mPGES1, mPGES2). PGE(2) attenuated the insulin-dependent induction of SREBP-1c and its target genes glucokinase and fatty acid synthase. Nevertheless, PGE(2) enhanced incorporation of glucose into hepatic triglycerides synergistically with insulin. This was most likely due to a combination of a PGE(2)-dependent repression of (1) the key lipolytic enzyme adipose triglyceride lipase, (2) carnitine-palmitoyltransferase 1, a key regulator of mitochondrial beta-oxidation, and (3) microsomal transfer protein, as well as (4) apolipoprotein B, key components of the VLDL synthesis. Repression of PGC1 alpha, a common upstream regulator of these genes, was identified as a possible cause. In support of this hypothesis, overexpression of PGC1 alpha completely blunted the PGE(2)-dependent fat accumulation. PGE(2) enhanced lipid accumulation synergistically with insulin, despite attenuating insulin signaling and might thus contribute to the development of hepatic steatosis. Induction of enzymes involved in PGE(2) synthesis in in vivo models of obesity imply a potential role of prostanoids in the development of NAFLD and NASH. Laboratory Investigation (2012) 92, 1597-1606; doi:10.1038/labinvest.2012.128; published online 10 September 2012 KW - cyclooxygenase KW - hepatic steatosis KW - mPGES KW - NAFLD KW - NASH KW - type 2 diabetes (T2DM) KW - PGC1 alpha Y1 - 2012 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1038/labinvest.2012.128 SN - 0023-6837 VL - 92 IS - 11 SP - 1597 EP - 1606 PB - Nature Publ. Group CY - New York ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Khalil, Mahmoud A1 - Raila, Jens A1 - Ali, Mostafa A1 - Islam, Khan M. S. A1 - Schenk, Regina A1 - Krause, Jens-Peter A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. A1 - Rawel, Harshadrai Manilal T1 - Stability and bioavailability of lutein ester supplements from Tagetes flower prepared under food processing conditions JF - Journal of functional food N2 - Tagetes spp. belongs to the Asteraceae family. It is recognized as a major source of lutein ester (lutein esterified with fatty acids such as lauric, myristic and palmitic acids), a natural colorant belonging to the xanthophylls or oxygenated carotenoids. Four species of Tagetes flower (Tagetes tenuifolia, Tagetes erecta, Tagetes patula, and Tagetes lucida) were used to extract lutein and lutein esters with three different methods. The results showed that T. erecta, type "orangeprinz", is the richest source of lutein esters (14.4 +/- 0.234 mg/g) in comparison to other Tagetes spp. No significant differences between extractions of lutein esters with medium-chain triacylglycerols (MCT) oil, orange oil or solvent (hexane/isopropanol) could be observed. MCT oil also improved stability of lutein esters at 100 degrees C for 40 min. Emulsification of MCT oil improved the stability of lutein ester extract against UV light at 365 nm for 72 h. Finally, an emulsion was prepared under food processing conditions, spray dried and its bioavailability investigated in a preliminary human intervention study. The results show a lower resorption, but further data suggest improvements in implementation of such supplements. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. KW - Tagetes KW - Lutein ester KW - Emulsion KW - Stability KW - Whey protein KW - Bioavailability Y1 - 2012 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2012.03.006 SN - 1756-4646 VL - 4 IS - 3 SP - 602 EP - 610 PB - Elsevier CY - Amsterdam ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Thierbach, Rene A1 - Florian, Simone A1 - Wolfrum, Katharina A1 - Voigt, Anja A1 - Drewes, Gunnar A1 - Blume, Urte A1 - Bannasch, Peter A1 - Ristow, Michael A1 - Steinberg, Pablo T1 - Specific alterations of carbohydrate metabolism are associated with hepatocarcinogenesis in mitochondrially impaired mice JF - Human molecular genetics N2 - Friedreich's ataxia is an inherited neurodegenerative disease caused by the reduced expression of the mitochondrially active protein frataxin. We have previously shown that mice with a hepatocyte-specific frataxin knockout (AlbFxn(-/-)) develop multiple hepatic tumors in later life. In the present study, hepatic carbohydrate metabolism in AlbFxn(-/-) mice at an early and late life stage was analyzed. In young (5-week-old) AlbFxn(-/-) mice hepatic ATP, glucose-6-phosphate and glycogen levels were found to be reduced by similar to 74, 80 and 88%, respectively, when compared with control animals. This pronounced ATP, G6P and glycogen depletion in the livers of young mice reverted in older animals: while half of the mice die before 30 weeks of age, the other half reaches 17 months of age and exhibits glycogen, G6P and ATP levels similar to those in age-matched controls. A key event in this respect seems to be the up-regulation of GLUT1, the predominant glucose transporter in fetal liver parenchyma, which became evident in AlbFxn(-/-) mice being 5-12 weeks of age. The most significant histological findings in animals being 17 or 22 months of age were the appearance of multiple clear cell, mixed cell and basophilic foci throughout the liver parenchyma as well as the development of hepatocellular adenomas and carcinomas. The hepatocarcinogenic process in AlbFxn 2/2 mice shows remarkable differences regarding carbohydrate metabolism alterations when compared with all other chemically and virally driven liver cancer models described up to now. Y1 - 2012 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1093/hmg/ddr499 SN - 0964-6906 VL - 21 IS - 3 SP - 656 EP - 663 PB - Oxford Univ. Press CY - Oxford ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Keesstra, Saskia Deborah A1 - Geissen, Violetta A1 - Mosse, K. A1 - Piiranen, S. A1 - Scudiero, E. A1 - Leistra, M. A1 - van Schaik, Loes T1 - Soil as a filter for groundwater quality JF - Current opinion in environmental sustainability N2 - The filtering function of soil is an important ecosystem service for groundwater and surface water protection. The efficiency of soils as a filter depends on the behaviour of pollutants in the soil and the hydrological transport processes. This paper aims to identify knowledge gaps in processes influencing pollutant behaviour in soils and their potential transport to groundwater. Currently most soil-filter function research is approached from two disciplines, one originating from agronomical/environmental sciences; one from more fundamental hydrological process research. Combining insights and approaches from both disciplines through collaboration could lead to better understanding of this complex system and enhance assessments of management strategy changes, both over the long term as well as in different climatic settings. Y1 - 2012 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cosust.2012.10.007 SN - 1877-3435 SN - 1877-3443 VL - 4 IS - 5 SP - 507 EP - 516 PB - Elsevier CY - Oxford ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Elias-Miro, Maria A1 - Massip-Salcedo, Marta A1 - Raila, Jens A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. A1 - Mendes-Braz, Mariana A1 - Ramalho, Fernando A1 - Jimenez-Castro, Monica B. A1 - Casillas-Ramirez, Arani A1 - Bermudo, Raquel A1 - Rimola, Antoni A1 - Rodes, Juan A1 - Peralta, Carmen T1 - Retinol binding protein 4 and retinol in steatotic and nonsteatotic rat livers in the setting of partial hepatectomy under ischemia/reperfusion JF - Liver transplantation N2 - Steatotic livers show increased hepatic damage and impaired regeneration after partial hepatectomy (PH) under ischemia/reperfusion (I/R), which is commonly applied in clinical practice to reduce bleeding. The known function of retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) is to transport retinol in the circulation. We examined whether modulating RBP4 and/or retinol could protect steatotic and nonsteatotic livers in the setting of PH under I/R. Steatotic and nonsteatotic livers from Zucker rats were subjected to PH (70%) with 60 minutes of ischemia. RBP4 and retinol levels were measured and altered pharmacologically, and their effects on hepatic damage and regeneration were studied after reperfusion. Decreased RBP4 levels were observed in both liver types, whereas retinol levels were reduced only in steatotic livers. RBP4 administration exacerbated the negative consequences of liver surgery with respect to damage and liver regeneration in both liver types. RBP4 affected the mobilization of retinol from steatotic livers, and this revealed actions of RBP4 independent of simple retinol transport. The injurious effects of RBP4 were not due to changes in retinol levels. Treatment with retinol was effective only for steatotic livers. Indeed, retinol increased hepatic injury and impaired liver regeneration in nonsteatotic livers. In steatotic livers, retinol reduced damage and improved regeneration after surgery. These benefits of retinol were associated with a reduced accumulation of hepatocellular fat. Thus, strategies based on modulating RBP4 could be ineffective and possibly even harmful in both liver types in the setting of PH under I/R. In terms of clinical applications, a retinol pretreatment might open new avenues for liver surgery that specifically benefit the steatotic liver. Liver Transpl 18:1198-1208, 2012. Y1 - 2012 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1002/lt.23489 SN - 1527-6465 VL - 18 IS - 10 SP - 1198 EP - 1208 PB - Wiley-Blackwell CY - Hoboken ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Bechir, Mahamat A1 - Schelling, E. A1 - Krämer, K. A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. A1 - Bonfoh, Bassirou A1 - Crump, L. A1 - Tanner, M. A1 - Zinsstag, J. T1 - Retinol assessment among women and children in sahelian mobile pastoralists JF - EcoHealth : conservation medicine, human health, ecosystem sustainability N2 - Micronutrient deficiencies are widespread in developing countries, particularly in remote communities such as mobile pastoralists. The nutritional and vitamin A status of this population is not well-documented in Chad. This study assessed serum retinol levels among women and children under five-year-old in nomadic and semi-nomadic pastoralist and rural-settled communities, who are similarly exposed to risk factors such as gastrointestinal parasitic infection, anaemia and emaciation. The novel method of portable fluorometry was used for the first time to measure beta-carotene and retinol levels in a pastoral nomadic area. Moderate level blood retinol deficiency (< 0.7 mu mol/L) was observed in 5% (CI 1-11) of nomadic, 29% (CI 13-45) of semi-nomadic and 22% (CI 8-35) of sedentary women. In children, 1% (CI 0.1-4), 17% (CI 9-25) and 28% (CI 18-39), respectively, had moderate level blood retinol deficiency. In nomadic communities, women and children had blood retinol levels close to normal. Deficiency of retinol was strongly linked with lifestyle (nomadic, semi-nomadic and settled) among women and lifestyle and age among children. The results support an ecological linkage between human retinol levels and livestock milk retinol. This study shows the feasibility of portable retinol and beta-carotene measurement in human blood as well as human and animal milk under remote field conditions, but the approach requires further validation. KW - vitamin A KW - retinol KW - nomadic pastoralist KW - Chad Y1 - 2012 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1007/s10393-012-0781-7 SN - 1612-9202 VL - 9 IS - 2 SP - 113 EP - 121 PB - Springer CY - New York ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Chen, You-Peng A1 - Li, Jian A1 - Wang, Zi-Neng A1 - Reichetzeder, Christoph A1 - Xu, Hao A1 - Gong, Jian A1 - Chen, Guang-Ji A1 - Pfab, Thiemo A1 - Xiao, Xiao-Min A1 - Hocher, Berthold T1 - Renin angiotensin aldosterone system and glycemia in pregnancy JF - Clinical laboratory : the peer reviewed journal for clinical laboratories and laboratories related to blood transfusion N2 - Background: The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is involved in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes in the general population. The RAAS is activated during pregnancy. However, it is unknown whether the RAAS contributes to glycemia in pregnant women. Methods: Plasma renin activity (PRA) and plasma aldosterone levels were quantified at delivery in 689 Chinese mothers. An oral glucose tolerance test in fasted women was performed in the second trimester of pregnancy. The diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and impaired glucose tolerance during pregnancy were made according to the guidelines of the Chinese Society of Obstetrics. Results: Plasma aldosterone was significantly higher in pregnant women with GDM as compared to those without impairment of glycemic control (normal pregnancies: 0.27 +/- 0.21 ng/mL, GDM: 0.36 +/- 0.30 ng/mL; p<0.05). Regression analyses revealed that PRA was negatively correlated with fasting blood glucose (FBG) (R-2 = 0.03, p = 0.007), whereas plasma aldosterone and aldosterone/PRA ratio were positively correlated with FBG (R-2 = 0.05, p<0.001 and R-2 = 0.03, p = 0.007, respectively). Multivariable regression analysis models considering relevant confounding factors confirmed these findings. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that fasting blood glucose in pregnant women is inversely correlated with the PRA, whereas plasma aldosterone showed a highly significant positive correlation with fasting blood glucose during pregnancy. Moreover, plasma aldosterone is significantly higher in pregnant women with GDM as compared to those women with normal glucose tolerance during pregnancy. Although causality cannot be proven in association studies, these data may indicate that the RAAS during pregnancy contributes to the pathogenesis of insulin resistance/new onset of diabetes during pregnancy. KW - Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system KW - pregnancy KW - fasting blood glucose KW - glycemic control Y1 - 2012 SN - 1433-6510 VL - 58 IS - 5-6 SP - 527 EP - 533 PB - Clin Lab Publ., Verl. Klinisches Labor CY - Heidelberg ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Schmerbach, K. A1 - Kalk, Philipp. A1 - Wengenmayer, Christina A1 - Lucht, K. A1 - Unger, T. A1 - Hocher, Berthold A1 - Thoene-Reineke, C. T1 - Renal outcome in equipotent Antihypertensive Treatment with Telmisartan, Ramipril and in combination in SHR-SP Rats JF - Clinical laboratory : the peer reviewed journal for clinical laboratories and laboratories related to blood transfusion N2 - Background: The ONTARGET trial revealed an association of ACEI/ARB combination treatment (telmisartan and ramipril) with adverse renal outcome versus respective monotherapy; preclinical evidence regarding renal outcome in ACEI/ARB combination treatment is scarce. Methods: Spontaneously hypertensive stroke prone rats (SHR-SP) rats on a salt-rich diet were randomly allocated to 4 groups: SHR (untreated, n = 24), SHR + telmisartan (SHR-T, 2.39 +/- 0.69 mg/kg bw; n = 27), SHR + ramipril (SHR-R, 6.28 +/- 3.48 mg/kg bw; n = 27) and combination treatment (SHR-TR, 0.51 +/- 0.14 mg/kg bw; same dose for telmisartan and ramipril; n = 26). Study duration was 12 weeks, blood pressure was assessed weekly and doses were adjusted to maintain equal blood pressure. Finally, blood and urine samples were obtained and kidneys were harvested for histological studies. Results: Blood pressure in untreated rats rose to a maximum of 239 mmHg, whereas in all treatment groups it remained stable betvveen 140 and 150 mmHg. Mortality was 50% in the untreated group, whereas all treatment groups survived completely. Renal function - as indicated by plasma urea and cystatin c - was significantly worse in SHR-TR animals compared to all other groups. With plasma creatinine a similar trend was observed. All treatment options significantly decreased albuminuria. Renal glomerulosclerosis was decreased by monotherapy, whereas combination therapy failed to have a significant effect. Interstitial fibrosis was decreased to a similar extent by all treatment options. Conclusions: ACEI/ARB combination treatment failed to render significant additional benefits on renal outcome in hypertensive rats when compared to monotherapy. Instead our data indicate that dual RAAS blockade might have an adverse effect on kidney function and histology when compared to monotherapy in salt-loaded SHR-SP. KW - Renal failure KW - angiotensin receptor blockers KW - ACE inhibitors KW - telmisartan KW - ramipril Y1 - 2012 U6 - https://doi.org/10.7754/Clin.Lab.2011.110622 SN - 1433-6510 VL - 58 IS - 7-8 SP - 625 EP - 633 PB - Clin Lab Publ., Verl. Klinisches Labor CY - Heidelberg ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Hocher, Berthold A1 - Reichetzeder, Christoph A1 - Alter, Markus L. T1 - Renal and cardiac effects of DPP-4 inhibitors - from preclinical development to clinical research JF - Kidney & blood pressure research : official organ of the Gesellschaft für Nephrologie N2 - Inhibitors of type 4 dipeptidyl peptidase (DDP-4) were developed and approved for the oral treatment of type 2 diabetes. Its mode of action is to inhibit the degradation of incretins, such as type 1 glucagon like peptide (GLP-1), and GIP. GLP-1 stimulates glucose-dependent insulin secretion from pancreatic beta-cells and suppresses glucagon release from alpha-cells, thereby improving glucose control. Besides its action on the pancreas type 1 glucagon like peptide has direct effects on the heart, vessels and kidney mainly via the type 1 glucagon like peptide receptor (GLP-1R). Moreover, there are substrates of DPP-4 beyond incretins that have proven renal and cardiovascular effects such as BNP/ANP, NPY, PYY or SDF-1 alpha. Preclinical evidence suggests that DPP-4 inhibitors may be effective in acute and chronic renal failure as well as in cardiac diseases like myocardial infarction and heart failure. Interestingly, large cardiovascular meta-analyses of combined Phase II/III clinical trials with DPP-4 inhibitors point all in the same direction: a potential reduction of cardiovascular events in patients treated with these agents. A pooled analysis of pivotal Phase III, placebo-controlled, registration studies of linagliptin further showed a significant reduction of urinary albumin excretion after 24 weeks of treatment. The observation suggests direct renoprotective effects of DPP-4 inhibition that may go beyond its glucose-lowering potential. Type 4 dipeptidyl peptidase inhibitors have been shown to be very well tolerated in general, but for those excreted via the kidney dose adjustments according to renal function are needed to avoid side effects. In conclusion, the direct cardiac and renal effects seen in preclinical studies as well as meta-analysis of clinical trials may offer additional potentials - beyond improvement of glycemic control - for this newer class of drugs, such as acute kidney failure, chronic kidney failure as well as acute myocardial infarction and heart failure. KW - DDP-4 inhibition KW - Diabetes KW - GLP-1 KW - Cardiovascular effects KW - Myocardial infarction KW - Kidney KW - Diabetic nephropathy KW - Acute renal failure Y1 - 2012 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1159/000339028 SN - 1420-4096 VL - 36 IS - 1 SP - 65 EP - 84 PB - Karger CY - Basel ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Schupp, M. A1 - Raila, Jens A1 - Witte, N. A1 - Tuvia, N. A1 - Münzner, Matthias T1 - RBP4 and its membrane receptor stra6 control adipogenesis by regulating cellular retinoid homeostasis T2 - Diabetologia : journal of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) Y1 - 2012 SN - 0012-186X SN - 1432-0428 VL - 55 SP - S93 EP - S93 PB - Springer CY - New York ER -