TY - JOUR A1 - Sun, Sheng-Yun A1 - Huang, Jin A1 - Meng, Min-Jie A1 - Lu, Jia-Hai A1 - Hocher, Berthold A1 - Liu, Kang-Li A1 - Yang, Qin-He A1 - Zhu, Xiao-Feng T1 - Improvement of lipid profile and reduction of body weight by Shan He Jian Fei Granules in high fat diet-induced obese rats JF - Clinical laboratory : the peer reviewed journal for clinical laboratories and laboratories related to blood transfusion N2 - Background: The goal was to study lipid profiles (TG, TC, LDL, HDL), effects on serum leptin, and fat tissue adiponectin, and resistin as well as body weight effects of Shan He Jian Fei Granules (SHJFG) in rats on a high fat diet. Methods: Rats were randomly divided into five groups: normal control group fed with normal fat diet, rats on high fat diet receiving low dosage, middle dosage, high dosage of Shan He Jian Fei Granules (SHJFG) as well as a high fat diet group receiving placebo. Rats were treated for 8 weeks. Body weight and naso-anal length of each rat were recorded and Lee's index was calculated. Serum TG, TC, LDL, HDL and leptin concentrations were analyzed. The gene expressions of adiponectin and resistin in adipose tissues were tested by RT-PCR. Results: Compared to the high-fat diet group, body weights, Lee's indexes, weight of fat tissues and serum TG, TC, LDL and leptin of SHJFG groups significantly decreased (p<0.05), whereas mRNA expressions of adiponectin and resistin of SHJFG groups significantly increased (p<0.05). Conclusions: SHJFG could significantly lower body weight and serum TG, TC, and LDL of obese rats. The effects of SHJFG in lowering leptin synthesis and raising mRNA expression of adiponectin and resistin in fat tissues may act as part of the mechanisms in lowering body weight of obese rats. Further studies are needed to demonstrate whether SHJFG may also reduce overall cardiovascular morbidity and mortality like other lipid lowering drugs. KW - obesity KW - high-fat diet KW - Shan He Jian Fei Granules (SHJFG) KW - lipid KW - adiponectin KW - resistin KW - leptin Y1 - 2012 SN - 1433-6510 VL - 58 IS - 1-2 SP - 81 EP - 87 PB - Clin Lab Publ., Verl. Klinisches Labor CY - Heidelberg ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Espe, Katharina M. A1 - Raila, Jens A1 - Henze, Andrea A1 - Blouin, Katja A1 - Schneider, A. A1 - Schmiedeke, D. A1 - Krane, Vera A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. A1 - Hocher, Berthold A1 - Wanner, Christoph A1 - Drechsler, Christiane T1 - Low vitamin E plasma levels are associated with cerebrovascular events and mortality in hemodialysis patients T2 - Annals of nutrition & metabolism : journal of nutrition, metabolic diseases and dietetics ; an official journal of International Union of Nutritional Sciences (IUNS) Y1 - 2012 SN - 0250-6807 VL - 60 IS - 2 SP - 137 EP - 137 PB - Karger CY - Basel 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 - 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 - Vickers, Steven P. A1 - Cheetham, Sharon C. A1 - Birmingham, Gareth D. A1 - Rowley, Helen L. A1 - Headland, Katie R. A1 - Dickinson, Keith A1 - Grempler, Rolf A1 - Hocher, Berthold A1 - Mark, Michael A1 - Klein, Thomas T1 - Effects of the DPP-4 Inhibitor, Linagliptin, in Diet-Induced obese rats a comparison in Naive and Exenatide-Treated Animals JF - Clinical laboratory : the peer reviewed journal for clinical laboratories and laboratories related to blood transfusion N2 - Background: To assess the chronic effect of the DPP-4 inhibitor, linagliptin, alone, in combination with exenatide, and during exenatide withdrawal, in diet-induced obese (DIO) rats. Methods: Female Wistar rats were exposed to a cafeteria diet to induce obesity. Animals were then dosed with vehicle or linagliptin (3 mg/kg PO) orally once-daily for a 28 day period. In a subsequent study, rats received exenatide (either 3 or 30 mu g/kg/day) or vehicle by osmotic mini-pump for 28 days. In addition, groups of animals were dosed orally with linagliptin either alone or in combination with a 3 mu g/kg/day exenatide dose for the study duration. In a final study, rats were administered exenatide (30 mu g/kg/day) or vehicle by osmotic mini-pump for eleven days. Subsequently, exenatide-treated animals were transferred to vehicle or continued exenatide infusion for a further ten days. Animals transferred from exenatide to vehicle were also dosed orally with either vehicle or linagliptin. In all studies, body weight, food and water intake were recorded daily and relevant plasma parameters and carcass composition were determined. Results: In contrast to exenatide, linagliptin did not significantly reduce body weight or carcass fat in DIO rats versus controls. Linagliptin augmented the effect of exenatide to reduce body fat when given in combination but did not affect the body weight response. In rats withdrawn from exenatide, weight regain was observed such that body weight was not significantly different to controls. Linagliptin reduced weight regain after withdrawal of exenatide such that a significant difference from controls was evident. Conclusions: These data demonstrate that linagliptin does not significantly alter body weight in either untreated or exenatide-treated DIO rats, although it delays weight gain after exenatide withdrawal. This finding may suggest the utility of DPP-4 inhibitors in reducing body weight during periods of weight gain. KW - Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor KW - Linagliptin KW - obesity KW - weight loss Y1 - 2012 U6 - https://doi.org/10.7754/Clin.Lab.2011.110919 SN - 1433-6510 VL - 58 IS - 7-8 SP - 787 EP - 799 PB - Clin Lab Publ., Verl. Klinisches Labor CY - Heidelberg ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Alter, Markus L. A1 - Kretschmer, Axel A1 - Von Websky, Karoline A1 - Tsuprykov, Oleg A1 - Reichetzeder, Christoph A1 - Simon, Alexandra A1 - Stasch, Johannes-Peter A1 - Hocher, Berthold T1 - Early urinary and plasma biomarkers for experimental diabetic Nephropathy JF - Clinical laboratory : the peer reviewed journal for clinical laboratories and laboratories related to blood transfusion N2 - Background: As the prevalence of diabetes rises, its complications such as diabetic nephropathy affect an increaseing number of patients. Consequently, the need for biomarkers in rodent models which reflect the stage and course of diabetic nephropathy is high. This article focuses on Heart-type fatty acid binding protein (H-FABP), osteopontin (OPN), nephrin, and Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) in urine, and kidney injury molecule (KIM)-1, clusterin, and tissue inhibitior of metalloproteinases (TIMP) 1 in plasma in uni-nephrectomized rats with streptocotozin-induced type 1 diabetes mellitus, a common animal model to explore renal impairment in the setting of diabetes mellitus. Methods: 23 male Wistar rats were uni-nephrectomized and subsequently divided into two study groups. The diabetic group received streptozotocin (STZ) via tail-vein injection, the non-diabetic group received citrate buffer without STZ. Subsequently, blood glucose, body weight, and blood pressure were checked regularly. After 18 weeks, animals were placed in metabolic cages, blood and urine obtained and subsequently organs were harvested after sacrifice. Results: Blood glucose levels were highly increased in diabetic animals throughout the experiment, whereas systolic blood pressure did not differ between the study groups. At study end, classical biomarkers such as urinary albumin and protein and plasma cystatin c were only slightly but not significantly different between groups indicating a very early disease state. In contrast, urinary excretion of H-FABP, OPN, nephrin, and NGAL were highly increased in diabetic animals with a highly significant p-value (p<0.01 each) compared to non-diabetic animals. In plasma, differences were found for calbindin, KIM-1, clusterin, TIMP-1, and OPN. These findings were confirmed by means of the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC-AUC) analysis. Conclusions: In summary, our study revealed elevated levels of new plasma and urinary biomarkers (urinary osteopontin, urinary nephrin, urinary NGAL, urinary H-FABP, plasma KIM-1, plasma TIMP-1) in uni-nephrectomized diabetic rats, an established rat model of diabetic nephropathy. These biomarkers appeared even before the classical biomarkers of diabetic nephropathy such as albuminuria and urinary protein excretion. The new biomarkers might offer advantage to urinary albumin and plasma cystatin c with respect to early detection. KW - diabetic nephropathy KW - urinary biomarker KW - blood biomarker KW - heart-type fatty acid binding protein KW - osteopontin KW - nephrin KW - neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin KW - kidney injury molecule 1 KW - clusterin KW - tissue inhibitior of metalloproteinases 1 Y1 - 2012 U6 - https://doi.org/10.7754/Clin.Lab.2011.111010 SN - 1433-6510 VL - 58 IS - 7-8 SP - 659 EP - 671 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 - Li, Jian A1 - Wang, Zi-Neng A1 - Chen, You-Peng A1 - Dong, Yun-Peng A1 - Mao, Xiao-Min A1 - Hocher, Berthold T1 - Association of fetal but not maternal P-glycoprotein C3435T polymorphism with fetal growth and birth weight, a possible risk factor for cardiovascular diseases in later life JF - Clinical laboratory : the peer reviewed journal for clinical laboratories and laboratories related to blood transfusion N2 - Background: The multidrug transporter P-glycoprotein (PGP) is expressed in the human placenta. In particular the C3435T ABCB1 polymorphism was associated with altered tissue expression of PGP in the human placenta. However, the potential functional impact of this polymorphism on the offspring is unknown so far. Methods: We analyzed the impact of the ABCB1/C3435T polymorphism on fetal growth in 262 mother/child pairs. Fetal growth was assessed by differential ultrasound examination of the fetal body prior to birth and by measuring birth weight. Results: The maternal ABCB1/C3435T polymorphism showed no trend for an association with birth weight or any ultrasound parameter describing late gestational fetal body shape. Genotyping the newborns, however, demonstrated that newborns carrying two copies of the T allele had a birth weight of 3176.39 g, whereas CT and CC newborns had a birth weight of 3345.04 g (p = 0.022). Adjusting for gestational age at delivery, child's gender, maternal BM1, maternal age and body weight at delivery confirmed this finding (p = 0.009). Considering gestational day of late ultrasound examination, gestational age at delivery, child's gender, maternal BMI, maternal age and maternal body weight at delivery, the fetal ABCB1/C3435T genotype revealed likewise a significant negative correlation with abdominal diameter and abdominal circumference (R-2 = 0.538, p = 0.010 and R-2 = 0.534, p = 0.005, respectively). Conclusions: Low birth weight may be a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases in later life. The fetal ABCB1/C3435T gene polymorphism may contribute to this risk. Since PGP controls transport of various biological agents, we suggest that PGP is involved in the transport of biological agents to the fetus that are important for normal fetal growth. Y1 - 2012 U6 - https://doi.org/10.7754/Clin.Lab.2012.110920 SN - 1433-6510 VL - 58 IS - 9-10 SP - 1085 EP - 1089 PB - Clin Lab Publ., Verl. Klinisches Labor CY - Heidelberg ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Vignon-Zellweger, Nicolas A1 - Rahnenführer, Jan A1 - Theuring, Franz A1 - Hocher, Berthold T1 - Analysis of cardiac and renal endothelin receptors by in situ hybridization in mice JF - Clinical laboratory : the peer reviewed journal for clinical laboratories and laboratories related to blood transfusion N2 - Background: Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a multifunctional peptide, which is implicated in the renal and cardiac physicology as well as in many pathologies of these systems. ET-1's actions take place after the activation of two receptors: ETA and ETB. The expression of these receptors may be modulated during the pathologic process. The analysis of the distribution and level of expression of the receptors in animal models is therefore crucial. Methods: We developed a protocol for non-radioactive in situ hybridization for the mRNA of the two endothelin receptors on paraffin-embedded tissue using digoxigenin-labeled RNA probes. Results: In heart and kidney, the staining was reliable and specific. In a mouse model for endothelin/nitric oxide imbalance, cardiac ETB expression was reduced. The distribution of the receptors was in accordance with the actual knowledge. Differences in cell specific expression are discussed. Conclusions: We developed a protocol for the in situ hybridization of the endothelin receptors in mice. Given that the endothelin system is implicated in the development of many diseases, we believe that this protocol may be useful for a number of future preclinical studies. KW - Endothelin-1 KW - endothelin receptors KW - in situ hybridization KW - mouse Y1 - 2012 U6 - https://doi.org/10.7754/Clin.Lab.2012.120216 SN - 1433-6510 VL - 58 IS - 9-10 SP - 939 EP - 949 PB - Clin Lab Publ., Verl. Klinisches Labor CY - Heidelberg ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Alter, Markus L. A1 - Ott, Ina M. A1 - von Websky, Karoline A1 - Tsuprykov, Oleg A1 - Sharkovska, Yuliya A1 - Krause-Relle, Katharina A1 - Raila, Jens A1 - Henze, Andrea A1 - Klein, Thomas A1 - Hocher, Berthold T1 - DPP-4 Inhibition on top of angiotensin receptor blockade offers a new therapeutic approach for diabetic nephropathy JF - Kidney & blood pressure research : official organ of the Gesellschaft für Nephrologie N2 - Background: The need for an improved treatment for diabetic nephropathy is greatest in patients who do not adequately respond to angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs). This study investigated the effect of the novel dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor linagliptin alone and in combination with the ARB telmisartan on the progression of diabetic nephropathy in diabetic endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) knockout mice. Methods: Sixty male eNOS knockout C57BL/6J mice were divided into four groups after receiving intraperitoneal high-dose streptozotocin: telmisartan (1 mg/kg), linagliptin (3 mg/kg), linagliptin + telmisartan (3 mg/kg + 1 mg/kg) and vehicle. Fourteen mice were used as non-diabetic controls. Results: After 12 weeks, urine and blood were obtained and blood pressure measured. Glucose concentrations were increased and similar in all diabetic groups. Telmisartan alone reduced systolic blood pressure by 5.9 mmHg versus diabetic controls (111.2 +/- 2.3 mmHg vs 117.1 +/- 2.2 mmHg; mean +/- SEM; P = 0.071). Combined treatment significantly reduced albuminuria compared with diabetic controls (71.7 +/- 15.3 mu g/24 h vs 170.8 +/- 34.2 mu g/24 h; P = 0.017), whereas the effects of single treatment with either telmisartan (97.8 +/- 26.4 mu g/24 h) or linagliptin (120.8 +/- 37.7 mu g/24 h) were not statistically significant. DPP-4 inhibition, alone and in combination, led to significantly lower plasma osteopontin levels compared with telmisartan alone. Histological analysis revealed reduced glomerulosclerosis after Linagliptin alone and in combination with telmisartan in comparison to non treated diabetic animals (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05). Kidney malonaldehyde immune-reactivity, a marker of oxidative stress, was significantly lower in animals treated with linagliptin. Conclusions: DPP-4 inhibition on top of ARB treatment significantly reduced urinary albumin excretion and oxidative stress in diabetic eNOS knockout mice. Linagliptin on top of an angiotensin II receptor blocker may offer a new therapeutic approach for patients with diabetic nephropathy. KW - Diabetic nephropathy KW - DPP-4 inhibitor KW - Linagliptin KW - Renin-angiotensin system Y1 - 2012 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1159/000341487 SN - 1420-4096 VL - 36 IS - 1 SP - 119 EP - 130 PB - Karger CY - Basel ER -