TY - JOUR A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. A1 - Reimann, J. T1 - Micronutrients and their Relevance for the Eye - Function of Lutein, Zeaxanthin and Omega-3 Fatty Acids JF - Klinische Monatsblätter für Augenheilkunde N2 - Micronutrients play an important role in function and health maintenance for the eye. Especially lutein, zeaxanthin and omega-3 fatty acids perform remarkable functions: lutein together with zeaxanthin forms the macular pigment, these carotenoids filter out the damaging blue light component from the sunlight as well as the ultraviolet light which leads to improved contrast sensitivity and less problems with screen glare. Furthermore, the macular pigment has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. The omega-3 fatty acids also possess anti-inflammatory effects and, when converted into neuroprotectin, they protect against oxidative induced apoptosis in the retina. They are also responsible for the fluidity and supply to the photoreceptor membrane. These properties are important for the prevention and treatment of degenerative eye diseases like age-related macular degeneration. However, older people are often not sufficiently supplied of micronutrients in their diet. Because the supply of nutrients can hardly be achieved by dietary change, the additional intake in the form of food supplements is useful in this age group. Scientific studies have shown the positive effects of supplementation with micronutrients such as lutein/zeaxanthin, vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc and omega-3 fatty acids, docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid (DHA and EPA). Currently available nutritional products are based in part on the ingredients of the ARED study (Age Related Eye Disease Study). According to more recent studies formulations containing lutein and omega-3 fatty acids in physiologically meaningful doses without additional beta-carotene should be preferred. 10 to 20 mg of lutein and zeaxanthin represent a safe daily dose Regarding to the context above, beta-carotene in high doses plays a minor role to the eye and is especially critical for the health of smokers. This paper summarises the functions of the presented micronutrients in the eye and can assist ophthalmologists in advising their patients. KW - AMD KW - lutein KW - omega-3 fatty acids KW - macular pigment density KW - micronutrients KW - dosage recommendation Y1 - 2011 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0029-1245527 SN - 0023-2165 VL - 228 IS - 6 SP - 537 EP - 543 PB - Thieme CY - Stuttgart ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Raila, Jens A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. A1 - Kohn, Barbara T1 - C-reactive protein concentrations in serum of dogs with naturally occurring renal disease JF - Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation N2 - The current study was undertaken to investigate the relation between serum C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations and parameters of renal function in dogs with naturally occurring renal disease. Dogs were assigned to groups according to plasma creatinine concentration, urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio (UP/UC), and exogenous plasma creatinine clearance (P-Cl(Cr)) rates. Group A (healthy control dogs; n = 8): non-azotemic (plasma creatinine <125 mu mol/l) and nonproteinuric (UP/UC <0.2), with P-Cl(Cr) rates >90 ml/min/m(2); group B (n = 11): non-azotemic, nonproteinuric dogs with reduced P-Cl(Cr) rates (50-89 ml/min/m(2)); group C (n = 7): azotemic, borderline proteinuric dogs (P-Cl(Cr) rates: 22-67 ml/min/m(2)); and group D (n = 6): uremic, proteinuric dogs (not tested for P-Cl(Cr)). The serum CRP concentrations were measured via commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The CRP concentrations in the clinically healthy dogs (group A) ranged from 2.09 mg/l to 8.60 mg/l (median: 3.21 mg/l). In comparison with dogs of group A, median CRP concentrations were significantly (P < 0.01) elevated in dogs of group B (17.6 mg/l, range: 17.0-19.2 mg/l), group C (24.8 mg/l, range: 18.0-32.5 mg/l), and group D (59.7 mg/l, range: 17.7-123 mg/l). Serum CRP was significantly related to P-Cl(Cr) (r = -0.83; P < 0.001), plasma creatinine (r = 0.81; P < 0.001), UP/UC (r = 0.70; P < 0.001), and leukocytes (r = 0.49; P < 0.01). The significant relations between serum CRP concentrations and biochemical parameters of kidney function in plasma and urine suggest that a stimulation of the acute phase response is implicated in the pathogenesis of canine renal disease. KW - C-reactive protein KW - dogs KW - proteinuria KW - renal disease Y1 - 2011 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1177/1040638711407896 SN - 1040-6387 VL - 23 IS - 4 SP - 710 EP - 715 PB - Sage Publ. CY - Thousand Oaks ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Thawnashom, Kittisak A1 - Tungtrongchitr, Rungsunn A1 - Chanchay, Siriporn A1 - Tungtrongchitr, Anchalee A1 - Raila, Jens A1 - Henze, Andrea A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. T1 - Association between Retinol-Binding protein and renal function among Asian subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus a cross-sectionaö study JF - The Southeast Asian journal of tropical medicine and public health : official publication of the SEAMEO Regional Tropical Medicine and Public Health Project (TROPMED) N2 - Retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) has been suggested as new adipokine, possibly linking obesity to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Since the kidneys are the main site of RBP4 degradation and since renal failure is a frequent co-morbid condition with diabetes mellitus, we evaluated the association among RBP4, renal function and T2DM in an Asian population. RBP4 serum levels were analyzed in 110 subjects (50 with T2DM) using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Based on a cut-off estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 60 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) (calculated according the abbreviated MDRD formula which uses serum creatinine level, age and gender) and on the T2DM status, subjects were assigned to four subgroups: Group A - controls with an eGFR > 60 ml/min per 1.73 m(2), Group B - controls with an eGFR < 60 ml/min per 1.73 m(2), Group C- T2DM subjects with an eGFR>60 ml/min per 1.73 m(2), and Group D - T2DM subjects with an eGFR <60 ml/ mm per 1.73 m(2). In both the T2DM and control groups, RBP4 levels were higher in subjects with an eGFR < 60 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) than in subjects with an eGFR >60 ml/min per 1.73 m(2). However, the difference was only significant between the control groups (p <0.05). After adjusting for age, gender, BMI, eGFR and the presence of T2DM, eGFR, not T2DM, was associated with plasma RBP4 levels (p<0.05). These results suggest among Asians the eGFR, but not the presence of T2DM, is a major determinant of RBP4 serum levels. The eGFR should be taken into account when evaluating the role of RBP4 in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance and T2DM. KW - retinol-binding protein 4 KW - renal function KW - type 2 diabetes mellitus KW - Asian subjects Y1 - 2011 SN - 0125-1562 VL - 42 IS - 4 SP - 936 EP - 945 PB - SEAMEO CY - Bangkok ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Kuhl, Juliane A1 - Winterhoff, Nora A1 - Wulf, Manuela A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. A1 - Schwendenwein, Ilse A1 - Bruckmaier, Rupert M. A1 - Aurich, Jörg E. A1 - Kutzer, Peter A1 - Aurich, Christine T1 - Changes in faecal bacteria and metabolic parameters in foals during the first six weeks of life JF - Veterinary microbiology N2 - Many foals develop diarrhoea within the first two weeks of life which has been suggested to coincide with postpartum oestrus in their dams. To analyse the pathogenesis of this diarrhoea we have determined faecal bacteria in foals and their dams (n = 30 each), and serum IGF-1 and gamma-globulins for 6 weeks after birth. In addition, effects of beta-carotene supplementation to mares (group 1: 1000 mg/day, n = 15, group 2: control, n = 15) on diarrhoea in foals were studied. Diarrhoea occurred in 92 and 79% of foals in groups 1 and 2, respectively, but was not correlated with oestrus in mares. Beta-carotene supplementation was without effect on foal diarrhoea. In mares, bacterial flora remained stable. The percentage of foals with cultures positive for E. coli was low at birth but increased within one day, the percentage positive for Enterococcus sp. was low for 10 days and for Streptococcus sp. and Staphylococcus sp. was low for 2-4 weeks. By 4 weeks of age, bacterial flora in foals resembled an adult pattern. Concentration of serum IGF-1 was low at birth (group 1:149 +/- 11, group 2:166 17 ng/ml), increased after day 1 (day 7 group 1:384 +/- 30, group 2: 372 +/- 36) but at no time differed between groups. Serum gamma-globulin concentration in foals was low before colostrum intake and highest on day 1 (p < 0.001 over time). In conclusion, neonatal diarrhoea in foals does not coincide with postpartum oestrus in their dams but with changes in intestinal bacteria and is not influenced by beta-carotene supplementation given to mares. KW - Foal KW - Diarrhoea KW - Faecal bacteria KW - IGF-1 KW - Carotene supplementation Y1 - 2011 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetmic.2011.03.017 SN - 0378-1135 VL - 151 IS - 3-4 SP - 321 EP - 328 PB - Elsevier CY - Amsterdam ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Henze, Andrea A1 - Raila, Jens A1 - Kempf, Caroline A1 - Reinke, Petra A1 - Sefrin, Anett A1 - Querfeld, Uwe A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. T1 - Vitamin A metabolism is changed in donors after living-kidney transplantation an observational study JF - Lipids in health and disease N2 - Background: The kidneys are essential for the metabolism of vitamin A (retinol) and its transport proteins retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) and transthyretin. Little is known about changes in serum concentration after living donor kidney transplantation (LDKT) as a consequence of unilateral nephrectomy; although an association of these parameters with the risk of cardiovascular diseases and insulin resistance has been suggested. Therefore we analyzed the concentration of retinol, RBP4, apoRBP4 and transthyretin in serum of 20 living-kidney donors and respective recipients at baseline as well as 6 weeks and 6 months after LDKT. Results: As a consequence of LDKT, the kidney function of recipients was improved while the kidney function of donors was moderately reduced within 6 weeks after LDKT. With regard to vitamin A metabolism, the recipients revealed higher levels of retinol, RBP4, transthyretin and apoRBP4 before LDKT in comparison to donors. After LDKT, the levels of all four parameters decreased in serum of the recipients, while retinol, RBP4 as well as apoRBP4 serum levels of donors increased and remained increased during the follow-up period of 6 months. Conclusion: LDKT is generally regarded as beneficial for allograft recipients and not particularly detrimental for the donors. However, it could be demonstrated in this study that a moderate reduction of kidney function by unilateral nephrectomy, resulted in an imbalance of components of vitamin A metabolism with a significant increase of retinol and RBP4 and apoRBP4 concentration in serum of donors. KW - Donors KW - glomerular filtration rate KW - kidney transplantation KW - retinol KW - retinol-binding protein 4 KW - transthyretin Y1 - 2011 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1186/1476-511X-10-231 SN - 1476-511X VL - 10 IS - 23 PB - BioMed Central CY - London ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Espe, Katharina M. A1 - Raila, Jens A1 - Henze, Andrea A1 - Krane, Vera A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. A1 - Hocher, Berthold A1 - Wanner, Christoph A1 - Drechsler, Christiane T1 - Impact of vitamin A on clinical outcomes in haemodialysis patients JF - Nephrology, dialysis, transplantation N2 - Background. Patients on maintenance haemodialysis treatment experience an excessive risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality. The vitamin A concentration is known to be higher in these patients compared to the general population where elevated vitamin A concentrations are associated with adverse outcome. The impact of vitamin A on morbidity and mortality in end-stage renal disease patients is controversial and is the topic of this study. Methods. We analysed plasma retinol and retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) in 1177 diabetic haemodialysis patients, who participated in the German Diabetes and Dialysis Study (median follow-up 4 years). By Cox regression analyses hazard ratios (HRs) were determined for pre-specified, adjudicated end points according to baseline concentrations. Results. Patients had a mean age of 66 +/- 8 years, mean retinol and RBP4 concentrations of 3.28 (0.71-7.44) and 4.02 (1.28-10.1) mu mol/L, respectively. Patients with retinol concentrations in the first quartile (<2.6 mu mol/L) had an almost 2-fold increased risk of all-cause mortality compared to patients of the fourth quartile [>3.9 mu mol/L; HR 1.81, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.43-2.30]. There was a strong association between low retinol and the risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD, HR 2.22, 95% CI 1.41-3.50) and fatal infection (HR 2.19, 95% CI 1.26-3.82). Patients with RBP4 concentrations in the lowest quartile (<3.0 mu mol/L) were more likely to die of any cause (HR 1.43, 95% CI 1.14-1.80), experience SCD (HR 1.97, 95% CI 1.28-3.03) and cardiovascular events (HR 1.43, 95% CI 1.10-1.85). Conclusion. This large cohort study shows a strong association of low retinol and RBP4 concentrations with SCD and all-cause mortality in diabetic haemodialysis patients. KW - haemodialysis KW - mortality KW - retinol KW - retinol-binding protein 4 KW - sudden death Y1 - 2011 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1093/ndt/gfr171 SN - 0931-0509 VL - 26 IS - 12 SP - 4054 EP - U583 PB - Oxford Univ. Press CY - Oxford ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Lamy, Elsa A1 - Rawel, Harshadrai Manilal A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. A1 - Capela e Silva, Fernando A1 - Ferreira, Ana A1 - Costa, Ana Rodrigues A1 - Antunes, Celia A1 - Almeida, Andre Martinho A1 - Coelho, Ana Varela A1 - Sales-Baptista, Elvira T1 - The effect of tannins on mediterranean ruminant ingestive behavior the role of the oral cavity JF - Molecules N2 - Sheep, cattle and goat are domestic ruminants of significant economic interest in the Mediterranean region. Although sharing the same pasture ranges, they ingest different plants and plant parts and, consequently different levels of tannins. This suggests an ability to detect and adapt ingestion according to animal physiological limits of tolerance for plant secondary metabolites. This review will detail the effects of dietary tannins on feeding behavior, and the role of the oral cavity in this process, with focus on such ruminant species. The role of salivary protein profile in tannin perception in the oral cavity, and as a defense mechanism, will be discussed. KW - polyphenols KW - diet selection KW - ruminants KW - salivary proteins KW - tannin-protein interaction Y1 - 2011 U6 - https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules16042766 SN - 1420-3049 VL - 16 IS - 4 SP - 2766 EP - 2784 PB - MDPI CY - Basel ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Rohner, Fabian A1 - Frey, Simone K. A1 - Mothes, Ralf A1 - Hurtienne, Andrea A1 - Hartong, Simone A1 - Bosso, Patrice Emery A1 - Bui, Mai A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. A1 - Northrop-Clewes, Christine T1 - Quantification of vitamin A in palm oil using a fast and simple portable device method validation and comparison to high-performance liquid chromatography JF - International journal for vitamin and nutrition research N2 - Vitamin A deficiency continues to be a global public health problem. Fortification of oil with vitamin A is considered a cost-effective, feasible strategy to prevent this problem but quality control poses a challenge to program implementation. To overcome this, we have validated a newly developed device that quantitatively measures the content of retinyl palmitate in refined palm oil, is simple to use, and yields immediate results. Linearity of analysis rand from 2.5-30 mg retinol equivalents (RE)/kg of palm oil, with 2.5 mg RE/kg being the determination limit; inter- and intra-assay precision ranged from 1.4-7.1 To. Comparison with a high-performance Liquid chromatography method showed high agreement between the methods (R-2 = 0.92; Limits of Agreement: -1.24 mg to 2.53 mg RE/kg), and further comparisons illustrate that the new device is useful in low resource settings. This device offers a field- and user-friendly solution to quantifying the vitamin A content in refined palm oil. KW - Vitamin A KW - retinyl palmitate KW - fortification KW - monitoring KW - rapid test kit KW - palm oil Y1 - 2011 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1024/0300-9831/a000081 SN - 0300-9831 VL - 81 IS - 5 SP - 335 EP - 342 PB - Hogrefe CY - Bern ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Henze, Andrea A1 - Aumer, Franziska A1 - Grabner, Arthur A1 - Raila, Jens A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. T1 - Genetic differences in the serum proteome of horses, donkeys and mules are detectable by protein profiling JF - The British journal of nutrition : an international journal devoted to the science of human and animal nutrition N2 - Although horses and donkeys belong to the same genus, their genetic characteristics probably result in specific proteomes and post-translational modifications (PTM) of proteins. Since PTM can alter protein properties, specific PTM may contribute to species-specific characteristics. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to analyse differences in serum protein profiles of horses and donkeys as well as mules, which combine the genetic backgrounds of both species. Additionally, changes in PTM of the protein transthyretin (TTR) were analysed. Serum protein profiles of each species (five animals per species) were determined using strong anion exchanger ProteinChips (R) (Bio-Rad, Munich, Germany) in combination with surface-enhanced laser desorption ionisation-time of flight MS. The PTM of TTR were analysed subsequently by immunoprecipitation in combination with matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation-time of flight MS. Protein profiling revealed species-specific differences in the proteome, with some protein peaks present in all three species as well as protein peaks that were unique for donkeys and mules, horses and mules or for horses alone. The molecular weight of TTR of horses and donkeys differed by 30Da, and both species revealed several modified forms of TTR besides the native form. The mass spectra of mules represented a merging of TTR spectra of horses and donkeys. In summary, the present study indicated that there are substantial differences in the proteome of horses and donkeys. Additionally, the results probably indicate that the proteome of mules reveal a higher similarity to donkeys than to horses. KW - Mass spectrometry KW - Post-translational modifications KW - Proteome KW - Species differences Y1 - 2011 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114511000845 SN - 0007-1145 VL - 106 SP - S170 EP - S173 PB - Cambridge Univ. Press CY - Cambridge ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Raila, Jens A1 - Rohn, Sascha A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. A1 - Abraham, Getu T1 - Increased antioxidant capacity in the plasma of dogs after a single oral dosage of tocotrienols JF - The British journal of nutrition : an international journal devoted to the science of human and animal nutrition N2 - The intestinal absorption of tocotrienols (TCT) in dogs is, to our knowledge, so far unknown. Adult Beagle dogs (n 8) were administered a single oral dosage of a TCT-rich fraction (TRF; 40 mg/kg body weight) containing 32% alpha-TCT, 2% beta-TCT, 27% gamma-TCT, 14% delta-TCT and 25% alpha-tocopherol (alpha-TCP). Blood was sampled at baseline (fasted), 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 12 h after supplementation. Plasma and chylomicron concentrations of TCT and alpha-TCP were measured at each time point. Plasma TAG were measured enzymatically, and plasma antioxidant capacity was assessed by the Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity assay. In fasted dogs, levels of TCT were 0.07 (SD 0.03) mu mol/l. Following the administration of the TRF, total plasma TCT peaked at 2 h (7.16 (SD 3.88) mu mol/l; P<0.01) and remained above baseline levels (0.67 (SD 0.44) mu mol/l; P, 0.01) at 12 h. The TCT response in chylomicrons paralleled the increase in TCT in plasma with a maximum peak (3.49 (SD 2.06) mu mol/l; P, 0.01) at 2 h post-dosage. alpha-TCP was the major vitamin E detected in plasma and unaffected by TRF supplementation. The Trolox equivalent values increased from 2 h (776 (SD 51.2) mu mol/l) to a maximum at 12 h (1130 (SD 7.72) mmol/l; P<0.01). The results show that TCT are detected in postprandial plasma of dogs. The increase in antioxidant capacity suggests a potential beneficial role of TCT supplementation in the prevention or treatment of several diseases in dogs. KW - Dogs KW - Tocotrienols KW - Intestinal absorption KW - Antioxidant capacity Y1 - 2011 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114511000511 SN - 0007-1145 VL - 106 IS - 7 SP - S116 EP - S119 PB - Cambridge Univ. Press CY - Cambridge ER -