@phdthesis{Rinne2024,
  author    = {Rinne, Theresa Charlotte},
  title     = {The effects of nutrients on bone stem cell function and regeneration},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam},
  pages     = {V, 134},
  year      = {2024},
  abstract  = {Aging is associated with bone loss, which can lead to osteoporosis and high fracture risk. This coincides with the enhanced formation of bone marrow adipose tissue (BMAT), suggesting a negative effect of bone marrow adipocytes on skeletal health. Increased BMAT formation is also observed in pathologies such as obesity, type 2 diabetes and osteoporosis. However, a subset of bone marrow adipocytes forming the constitutive BMAT (cBMAT), arise early in life in the distal skeleton, contain high levels of unsaturated fatty acids and are thought to provide a physiological function. Regulated BMAT (rBMAT) forms during aging and obesity in proximal regions of the bone and contain a large proportion of saturated fatty acids. Paradoxically, BMAT accumulation is also enhanced during caloric restriction (CR), a life-span extending dietary intervention. This indicates, that different types of BMAT can form in response to opposing nutritional stimuli with potentially different functions. To this end, two types of nutritional interventions, CR and high fat diet (HFD), that are both described to induce BMAT accumulation were carried out. CR markedly increased BMAT formation in the proximal tibia and led to a higher proportion of unsaturated fatty acids, making it similar to the physiological cBMAT. Additionally, proximal and diaphyseal tibia regions displayed higher adiponectin expression. In aged mice, CR was associated with an improved trabecular bone structure. Taken together, these findings demonstrate, that the type of BMAT that forms during CR might provide beneficial effects for local bone stem/progenitor cells and metabolic health. The HFD intervention performed in this thesis showed no effect on BMAT accumulation and bone microstructure. RNA Seq analysis revealed alterations in the composition of the collagen-containing extracellular matrix (ECM). In order to investigate the effects of glucose homeostasis on osteogenesis, differentiation capacity of immortalized multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) and osteochondrogenic progenitor cells (OPCs) was analyzed. Insulin improved differentiation in both cell types, however, combination of with a high glucose concentration led to an impaired mineralization of the ECM. In the MSCs, this was accompanied by the formation of adipocytes, indicating negative effects of the adipocytes formed during hyperglycemic conditions on mineralization processes. However, the altered mineralization pattern and structure of the ECM was also observed in OPCs, which did not form any adipocytes, suggesting further negative effects of a hyperglycemic environment on osteogenic differentiation. In summary, the work provided in this thesis demonstrated that differentiation commitment of bone-resident stem cells can be altered through nutrient availability, specifically glucose. Surprisingly, both high nutrient supply, e.g. the hyperglycemic cell culture conditions, and low nutrient supply, e.g. CR, can induce adipogenic differentiation. However, while CR-induced adipocyte formation was associated with improved trabecular bone structure, adipocyte formation in a hyperglycemic cell-culture environment hampered mineralization. This thesis provides further evidence for the existence of different types of BMAT with specific functions.},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Henning2024,
  author    = {Henning, Thorsten},
  title     = {Cross-sectional associations of dietary biomarker patterns with health and nutritional status},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam},
  pages     = {111},
  year      = {2024},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Koelman2023,
  author    = {Koelman, Liselot A.},
  title     = {The role of diet in immune health and ageing},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam},
  year      = {2023},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{LopesFernando2023,
  author    = {Lopes Fernando, Raquel Sofia},
  title     = {The impact of aging on proteolytic systems, transcriptome and metabolome of slow and fast muscle fiber types},
  doi       = {10.25932/publishup-60579},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam},
  pages     = {XI, 125},
  year      = {2023},
  abstract  = {Aging is a complex process characterized by several factors, including loss of genetic and epigenetic information, accumulation of chronic oxidative stress, protein damage and aggregates and it is becoming an emergent drug target. Therefore, it is the utmost importance to study aging and agerelated diseases, to provide treatments to develop a healthy aging process. Skeletal muscle is one of the earliest tissues affected by age-related changes with progressive loss of muscle mass and function from 30 years old, effect known as sarcopenia. Several studies have shown the accumulation of protein aggregates in different animal models, as well as in humans, suggesting impaired proteostasis, a hallmark of aging, especially regarding degradation systems. Thus, different publications have explored the role of the main proteolytic systems in skeletal muscle from rodents and humans, like ubiquitin proteasomal system (UPS) and autophagy lysosomal system (ALS), however with contradictory results. Yet, most of the published studies are performed in muscles that comprise more than one fiber type, that means, muscles composed by slow and fast fibers. These fiber types, exhibit different metabolism and contraction speed; the slow fibers or type I display an oxidative metabolism, while fast fibers function towards a glycolytic metabolism ranging from fast oxidative to fast glycolytic fibers. To this extent, the aim of this thesis sought to understand on how aging impacts both fiber types not only regarding proteostasis but also at a metabolome and transcriptome network levels. Therefore, the first part of this thesis, presents the differences between slow oxidative (from Soleus muscle) and fast glycolytic fibers (Extensor digitorum longus, EDL) in terms of degradation systems and how they cope with oxidative stress during aging, while the second part explores the differences between young and old EDL muscle transcriptome and metabolome, unraveling molecular features. More specifically, the results from the present work show that slow oxidative muscle performs better at maintaining the function of UPS and ALS during aging than EDL muscle, which is clearly affected, accounting for the decline in the catalytic activity rates and accumulation of autophagy-related proteins. Strinkingly, transcriptome and metabolome analyses reveal that fast glycolytic muscle evidences significant downregulation of mitochondrial related processes and damaged mitochondria morphology during aging, despite of having a lower oxidative metabolism compared to oxidative fibers. Moreover, predictive analyses reveal a negative association between aged EDL gene signature and lifespan extending interventions such as caloric restriction (CR). Although, CR intervention does not alter the levels of mitochondrial markers in aged EDL muscle, it can reverse the higher mRNA levels of muscle damage markers. Together, the results from this thesis give new insights about how different metabolic muscle fibers cope with age-related changes and why fast glycolytic fibers are more susceptible to aging than slow oxidative fibers.},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Geisendoerfer2022,
  author    = {Geisend{\"o}rfer, Birte},
  title     = {Autologer Ansatz zur Entwicklung von 2D- und 3D-Kokultivierungsmethoden f{\"u}r die Bestimmung des sensibilisierenden Potenzials von Xenobiotika},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam},
  pages     = {166},
  year      = {2022},
  abstract  = {Die allergische Kontaktdermatitis ist eine immunologisch bedingte Hauterkrankung mit insbesondere in den westlichen Industrienationen hoher und weiter ansteigender Pr{\"a}valenz. Es handelt sich hierbei um eine Hypersensitivit{\"a}tsreaktion vom Typ IV, die sich nach Allergenkontakt durch Juckreiz, R{\"o}tung, Bl{\"a}schenbildung und Absch{\"a}lung der Haut {\"a}ußert. Zahlreiche Xenobiotika besitzen das Potenzial, Kontaktallergien auszul{\"o}sen, darunter Konservierungsstoffe, Medikamente, Duftstoffe und Chemikalien. Die wirksamste Maßnahme zur Eind{\"a}mmung der Erkrankung ist die Expositionsprophylaxe, also die Vermeidung des Kontakts mit den entsprechenden Substanzen. Dies wiederum setzt die Kenntnis des jeweiligen sensibilisierenden Potenzials einer Substanz voraus, dessen Bestimmung aus diesem Grund eine hohe toxikologische Relevanz besitzt. Zu diesem Zweck existieren von der OECD ver{\"o}ffentlichte Testleitlinien, welche auf entsprechend validierten Testmethoden basieren. Goldstandard bei der Pr{\"u}fung auf hautsensibilisierendes Potenzial war {\"u}ber lange Zeit der murine Lokale Lymphknotentest. Seit der 7. {\"A}nderung der EU-Kosmetikrichtlinie, welche Tierversuche f{\"u}r Kosmetika und deren Inhaltsstoffe untersagt, wurden vermehrt Alternativmethoden in die OECD-Testleitlinien implementiert.. Die bestehenden in vitro Methoden sind jedoch alleinstehend nur begrenzt aussagekr{\"a}ftig, da sie lediglich singul{\"a}re Mechanismen bei der Entstehung einer Kontaktallergie abbilden. Die Entwicklung von Testmethoden, welche mehrere dieser Schl{\"u}sselereignisse ber{\"u}cksichtigen, erscheint daher richtungsweisend. Einen vielversprechenden Ansatz liefert hierbei der Loose-fit coculture-based sensitisation assay (LCSA), welcher eine Kokultur aus prim{\"a}ren Keratinozyten und PBMC darstellt. Bei der Kokultivierung von Immunzellen mit anderen Zelltypen stellt sich allerdings die Frage, inwiefern die Nutzung von Zellen derselben Spender*innen (autologe Kokultur) bzw. verschiedener Spender*innen (allogene Kokultur) einen Einfluss nimmt. Zu diesem Zweck wurden im Rahmen dieser Arbeit Hautzellen spenderspezifisch aus gezupften Haarfollikeln isoliert und der LCSA mit den generierten HFDK in autologen und allogenen Ans{\"a}tzen verglichen. Zus{\"a}tzlich wurde auch ein Vergleich zwischen der Nutzung von HFDK und NHK, welche aus humaner Vorhaut isoliert wurden, im LCSA durchgef{\"u}hrt. Dabei ergaben sich keine signifikanten Unterschiede zwischen autologen und allogenen Kokulturen bzw. zwischen der Verwendung von HFDK und NHK. Die Verwendung allogener Zellen aus anonymem Spendermaterial sowie die Nutzung von Keratinozyten aus unterschiedlichen Quellen scheint im Rahmen des LCSA problemlos m{\"o}glich. Einige der getesteten Kontaktallergene, darunter DNCB und NiCl2, erwiesen sich im LCSA jedoch als problematisch und konnten nicht zufriedenstellend als sensibilisierend detektiert werden. Daher wurde eine Optimierung der Kokultur durch Verwendung ex vivo differenzierter Langerhans Zellen (MoLC) angestrebt, welche ein besseres Modell prim{\"a}rer epidermaler Langerhans Zellen darstellen als die dendritischen Zellen aus dem LCSA. Zus{\"a}tzlich wurden weitere, den Erfolg der Kokultur beeinflussende Faktoren, wie die Art und Zusammensetzung des Mediums und die Kokultivierungsdauer, untersucht und angepasst. Das schlussendlich etablierte Kokultivierungsprotokoll f{\"u}hrte zu einer maßgeblich verst{\"a}rkten Expression von CD207 (Langerin) auf den MoLC, was auf eine wirkungsvolle Interaktion zwischen Haut- und Immunzellen in der Kokultur hindeutete. Des Weiteren konnten DNCB und NiCl2 im Gegensatz zum LCSA durch Verwendung des kostimulatorischen Molek{\"u}ls CD86 sowie des Reifungsmarkers CD83 als Ausleseparameter eindeutig als Kontaktallergene identifiziert werden. Die Untersuchungen zur Kokultur von MoLC und HFDK wurden jeweils vergleichend in autologen und allogenen Ans{\"a}tzen durchgef{\"u}hrt. {\"A}hnlich wie beim LCSA kam es aber auch hier zu keinen signifikanten Unterschieden, weder hinsichtlich der Expression von Charakterisierungs- und Aktivierungsmarkern auf MoLC noch hinsichtlich der Zytokinsekretion in den Zellkultur{\"u}berstand. Die Hinweise aus zahlreichen Studien im Mausmodell, dass Zellen des angeborenen Immunsystems zur Erkennung von und Aktivierung durch allogene Zellen bzw. Gewebe in der Lage sind, best{\"a}tigten sich im Rahmen dieser Arbeit dementsprechend nicht. Aus diesem Grund wurden abschließend CD4+ T-Lymphozyten, die Effektorzellen des adaptiven Immunsystems, in die Kokultur aus MoLC und autologen bzw. allogenen HFDK integriert. {\"U}berraschenderweise traten auch hier keine verst{\"a}rkten Aktivierungen in allogener Kokultur im Vergleich zur autologen Kokultur auf. Die Nutzung autologer Prim{\"a}rzellen scheint im Rahmen der hier getesteten Methoden nicht notwendig zu sein, was die Validierung von Kokulturen und deren Implementierung in die OECD-Testleitlinien erleichtern d{\"u}rfte. Zuletzt wurde eine Kokultivierung prim{\"a}rer Haut- und Immunzellen auch im 3D-Vollhautmodell durchgef{\"u}hrt, wobei autologe MoLC in die Epidermis{\"a}quivalente entsprechender Modelle integriert werden sollten. Obwohl die erstellten Hautmodelle unter Verwendung autologer Haarfollikel-generierter Keratinozyten und Fibroblasten eine zufriedenstellende Differenzierung und Stratifizierung aufwiesen, gestaltete sich die Inkorporation der MoLC als problematisch und konnte im Rahmen dieser Arbeit nicht erreicht werden.},
  language  = {de}
}
@phdthesis{Wetzel2022,
  author    = {Wetzel, Alexandra},
  title     = {Epigenetische Regulation des Epstein-Barr Virus-induzierten Gens 3 (EBI3) und dessen Bedeutung bei Colitis ulcerosa},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam},
  pages     = {164},
  year      = {2022},
  abstract  = {Epigenetische Mechanismen spielen eine entscheidende Rolle bei der Pathogenese von Colitis ulcerosa (CU). Ihr Einfluss auf das beobachtete Ungleichgewicht zwischen pro- und anti-inflammatorischen Cytokinen ist hingegen weitgehend unerforscht. Einige der wichtigsten immunmodulatorischen Cytokine sind die Mitglieder der heterodimeren Interleukin- (IL-) 12-Familie, die durch das Kombinieren einer der drei α-Ketten (IL-12p35, IL-27p28, IL-23p19) mit den ß-Untereinheiten IL-12p40 oder EBI3 (Epstein-Barr Virus-induziertes Gen 3) charakterisiert sind. IL-35 (IL-12p35/EBI3) spielt eine bedeutende anti-inflammatorische Rolle bei verschiedenen Erkrankungen, wohingegen seine Level bei chronischen Entz{\"u}ndungen erniedrigt sind. Eine m{\"o}gliche Ursache k{\"o}nnte eine transkriptionelle Stilllegung {\"u}ber epigenetische Modifikationen sein. Tats{\"a}chlich konnte durch die Stimulation mit dem DNA-Methyltransferase-Inhibitor (DNMTi) Decitabin (DAC; Dacogen®) eine Induktion von EBI3 in humanen Epithelzellen aus gesundem Colon (HCEC) erreicht werden, die als Modell f{\"u}r ein lokales Entz{\"u}ndungsgeschehen dienten. Diese Regulation {\"u}ber DNA-Methylierung konnte in weiteren humanen Zellen unterschiedlichen Ursprungs sowie durch Stimulation von HCEC-Zellen mit zwei weiteren DNMTi, dem Cytosin-Analogon Azacytidin (AZA; Vidaza®) und dem nat{\"u}rlich vorkommenden, epigenetisch wirksamen Polyphenol Epigallocatechingallat (EGCG), verifiziert werden. Die kombinierte Inkubation mit Tumor-Nekrose-Faktor α (TNFα) resultierte jeweils in einer {\"u}ber-additiven Induktion von EBI3. Weiterf{\"u}hrende Untersuchungen zeigten, dass TNFα trotz Beeinflussung der epigenetischen DNMT- und Ten-eleven Translocation- (TET-) Enzyme keinen Einfluss auf die globalen Methylierungs- oder Hydroxymethylierungslevel hatte, jedoch eine genspezifische DNA-Hypomethylierung im EBI3-Promotor induzierte. Durch Nutzung verschiedener Inhibitoren konnte dar{\"u}ber hinaus nachgewiesen werden, dass der beobachtete synergistische Effekt der gemeinsamen DAC und TNFα-Stimulation haupts{\"a}chlich {\"u}ber NFκB (Nuclear factor "kappa-light-chain-enhancer" of activated B-cells) vermittelt wird. Ein Teil verl{\"a}uft dabei {\"u}ber p38 MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinases), w{\"a}hrend die JNK- (c-Jun N-terminale Kinasen-) und ERK- (extracellular-signal-regulated kinases) Signalwege keine Rolle spielen. In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurde zudem gezeigt, dass die DNA-Hypomethylierung w{\"a}hrend eines entz{\"u}ndlichen Zustandes auch in einer erh{\"o}hten EBI3-Proteinexpression resultiert. Die H{\"o}he der immunologisch detektierten Banden wies auf eine Dimerbildung sowohl im Zelllysat als auch im {\"U}berstand hin. Humane Colonepithelzellen sind demnach in der Lage, Cytokine zu bilden und zu sezernieren, was die Bedeutung von Nicht-Immunzellen bei der lokalen Immunantwort unterstreicht. Mittels Genexpressionsanalysen wurden IL-12p35 und IL-23p19 als m{\"o}gliche Bindungspartner identifiziert. Aufgrund kreuzreaktiver Antik{\"o}rper ist ein direkter Nachweis der EBI3-Dimere derzeit nicht m{\"o}glich. Die stattdessen genutzte Kombination verschiedener Methoden dient als geeigneter Ersatz f{\"u}r die problematischen Antik{\"o}rper-basierten Analysen wie Immunpr{\"a}zipitation oder ELISA. Durch molekularbiologische, immunologische und massenspektrometrische Methoden konnte IL-35 identifiziert werden, w{\"a}hrend IL-39 (IL-23p19/EBI3) nicht detektiert wurde. Dies ist in Einklang mit den Erkenntnissen mehrerer Forschungsgruppen, die eine Bildung des nativen humanen Dimers aus IL-23p19 und EBI3 bezweifeln. Des Weiteren wurde die biologische Aktivit{\"a}t des behandlungsinduzierten IL 35-Proteins durch einen Funktionsassay nachgewiesen. Neben einer DNMTi-bedingten transkriptionellen Aktivierung konnte eine Regulation von EBI3 {\"u}ber Histonacetylierungen gezeigt werden. Der EBI3-induzierende Effekt des Histondeacetylasen-Inhibitors (HDACi) Trichostatin A (TSA) wurde durch SAHA (suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (Vorinostat; Zolinza®)) verifiziert. {\"A}hnlich zu der Stimulation mit den hypomethylierenden Substanzen wurde ein synergistischer Effekt bei paralleler Inkubation mit TNFα beobachtet, der in einer gesteigerten Bildung des EBI3-Proteins resultierte. Um die Befunde in einem komplexeren in vivo-Modell zu untersuchen, wurde eine chronische Colitis in Ebi3-defizienten M{\"a}usen und dem dazugeh{\"o}rigen Wildtypstamm C57BL/6 durch zyklische Applikation von Natriumdextransulfat (Dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)) induziert. Der Vergleich klinischer Parameter wie Mortalit{\"a}tsrate und K{\"o}rper- sowie Milzgewicht wies bei Abwesenheit von Ebi3 signifikant st{\"a}rkere colitische Symptome auf. Dies best{\"a}tigte die zentrale Rolle von Ebi3 in der Colitisentwicklung und deutete auf eine bevorzugte Bildung des anti-inflammatorisch wirkenden IL-35 statt des pro-inflammatorischen IL-39 in den Wildtyptieren hin. Durch zus{\"a}tzliche therapeutische Behandlung der C57BL/6-M{\"a}use nach der DSS-Gabe konnte die in der Literatur beschriebene positive Wirkung von SAHA auf die Colitismanifestation best{\"a}tigt werden. Im Gegensatz dazu war der HDACi in den Ebi3-defizienten Tieren nicht in der Lage, die colitischen Parameter zu verbessern beziehungsweise verschlimmerte den Krankheitsph{\"a}notyp. Expressionsanalysen von Up- und Downstream-Target-Genen lieferten weitere Hinweise darauf, dass bei Anwesenheit von Ebi3 IL-35 statt IL-39 gebildet wird, was in Einklang mit den in vitro-Untersuchungen steht. Die vorliegende Arbeit konnte durch den Vergleich der C57BL/6-M{\"a}use mit den Ebi3-defizienten Tieren neue Erkenntnisse {\"u}ber die Wirkungsweise von SAHA erbringen. Histonacetylierende Bedingungen verbessern colitische Symptome {\"u}ber einen Mechanismus, der die epigenetische Induktion von Ebi3 mit nachfolgender IL-35-Bildung involviert. Durch Kooperation der epigenetischen Mechanismen Hypomethylierung und Histonacetylierung wurde der st{\"a}rkste Effekt auf die EBI3-Induktion bewirkt. Insgesamt konnte in der vorliegenden Arbeit durch in vitro- und in vivo-Analysen die epigenetische und NFκB-vermittelte Induktion von EBI3 {\"u}ber DNA-Demethylierung und Histonacetylierung mit nachfolgender IL-35-Bildung und -Sezernierung nachgewiesen werden. Da IL-35 in der Lage ist, colitische Symptome zu mildern, stellt die epigenetische Reaktivierbarkeit von EBI3 durch DNMTi und HDACi eine vielversprechende Alternative f{\"u}r die derzeit genutzten, oft nicht oder nur kurzfristig wirksamen Therapien bei der Behandlung einer CU dar. Einer {\"u}berm{\"a}ßigen Immunantwort w{\"a}hrend schubweiser entz{\"u}ndlicher Phasen k{\"o}nnte entgegengewirkt und Komplikationen wie die Bildung Colitis-assoziierter Karzinome verhindert werden.},
  language  = {de}
}
@phdthesis{Knoche2022,
  author    = {Knoche, Lisa},
  title     = {Untersuchung von Transformationsprodukten ausgew{\"a}hlter Tierarzneimittel generiert durch Elektrochemie, Mikrosomal Assay, Hydrolyse und Photolyse},
  pages     = {163, III},
  year      = {2022},
  abstract  = {The knowledge of transformation pathways and transformation products of veterinary drugs is important for health, food and environmental matters. Residues, consisting of original veterinary drug and transformation products, are found in food products of animal origin as well as the environment (e.g., soil or surface water). Several transformation processes can alter the original veterinary drug, ranging from biotransformation in living organism to environmental degradation processes like photolysis, hydrolysis, or microbial processes. In this thesis, four veterinary drugs were investigated, three ionophore antibiotics Monensin, Salinomycin and Lasalocid and the macrocyclic lactone Moxidectin. Ionophore antibiotics are mainly used to cure and prevent coccidiosis in poultry especially prophylactic in broiler farming. Moxidectin is an antiparasitic drug that is used for the treatment of internal and external parasites in food-producing and companion animals. The main objective of this work is to employ different laboratory approaches to generate and identify transformation products. The identification was conducted using high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). A major focus was placed on the application of electrochemistry for simulation of transformation processes. The electrochemical reactor - equipped with a three-electrode flow-through cell - enabled the oxidation or reduction by applying a potential. The transformation products derived were analyzed by online coupling of the electrochemical reactor and a HRMS and offline by liquid chromatography (LC) combined with HRMS. The main modification reaction of the identified transformation products differed for each investigated veterinary drug. Monensin showed decarboxylation and demethylation as the main modification reactions, for Salinomycin mostly decarbonylation occurred and for Lasalocid methylation was prevalent. For Moxidectin, I observed an oxidation (hydroxylation) reaction and adduct formation with solvent. In general, for Salinomycin and Lasalocid, more transient transformation products (online measurement) than stable transformation products (offline measurements) were detected. By contrast, the number of transformation products using online and offline measurements were identical for Monensin and Moxidectin. As a complementary approach, metabolism tests with rat or human liver microsomes were conducted for the ionophore antibiotics. Monensin was investigated by using rat liver microsomes and the transformation products identified were based on decarboxylation and demethylation. Salinomycin and Lasalocid were converted by human and rat liver microsomes. For both substances, more transformation products were found by using human liver microsomes. The transformation products of the rat liver microsome conversion were redundant, and the transformation products were also found at the human liver microsome assay. Oxidation (hydroxylation) was found to be the main modification reaction for both. In addition, a frequent ion exchange between sodium and potassium was identified. The final two experiments were performed for one substance each, whereby the hydrolysis of Monensin and the photolysis of Moxidectin was investigated. The transformation products of the pH-dependent hydrolysis were based on ring-opening and dehydration. Moxidectin formed several transformation products by irradiation with UV-C light and the main modification reactions were isomeric changes, (de-)hydration and changes of the methoxime moiety. In summary, transformation products of the four investigated veterinary drugs were generated by the different laboratory approaches. Most of the transformation products were identified for the first time. The resulting findings provide an improved understanding of clarifying the transformation behavior.},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Schell2022,
  author    = {Schell, Mareike},
  title     = {Investigating the effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG on emotional behavior in diet-induced obese C57BL/6N mice},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam},
  pages     = {XVI, 117},
  year      = {2022},
  abstract  = {The prevalence of depression and anxiety is increased in obese patients compared to healthy humans, which is partially due to a shared pathogenesis, including insulin resistance and inflammation. These factors are also linked to intestinal dysbiosis. Additionally, the chronic consumption of diets rich in saturated fats results in body weight gain, hormonal resistances and unfavorable changes in the microbiome composition. The intake of Lactobacilli has already been shown to improve dysbiosis along with metabolism and mood. Yet, the beneficial role and the underlying mechanism of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) to improve emotional behavior in established diet-induced obese conditions are, so far, unknown. To characterize the role of LGG in diet-induced obesity, female and male C57BL/6N mice were fed a semi-synthetic low-fat diet (LFD, 10 \% kcal from fat) or a conventional high-fat diet (HFD, 45 \% kcal from fat) for initial 6 weeks, which was followed by daily oral gavage of vehicle or 1x10^8 CFU of LGG until the end of the experiment. Mice were subjected to basic metabolic and extensive behavioral phenotyping, with a focus on emotional behavior. Moreover, composition of cecal gut microbiome, metabolomic profile in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid was investigated and followed by molecular analyses. Both HFD-feeding and LGG application resulted in sex-specific differences. While LGG prevented the increase of plasma insulin, adrenal gland weight and hyperactivity in diet-induced obese female mice, there was no regulation of anxiodepressive-like behavior. In contrast, metabolism of male mice did not benefit from LGG application, but strikingly, LGG decreased specifically depressive-like behavior in the Mousetail Suspension Test which was confirmed by the Splash Test characterizing motivation for 'self-care'. The microbiome analysis in male mice revealed that HFD-feeding, but not LGG application, altered cecal microbiome composition, indicating a direct effect of LGG on behavioral regulation. However, in female mice, both HFD-feeding and LGG application resulted in changes of microbiome composition, which presumably affected metabolism. Moreover, as diet-induced obese female mice unexpectedly did not exhibit anxiodepressive-like behavior, follow-up analyses were conducted in male mice. Here, HFD-feeding significantly altered abundance of plasma lipids whereas LGG decreased branched chain amino acids which associated with improved emotional behavior. In nucleus accumbens (NAcc) and VTA/SN, which belong to the dopaminergic system, LGG restored HFD-induced decrease of tyrosine hydroxylase, the rate-limiting enzyme in dopamine synthesis, on gene expression level. Lastly, transcriptome analysis in the NAcc identified gene expression of cholecystokinin as a potential mediator of the effect of LGG on HFD-induced emotional alterations. In summary, this thesis revealed the beneficial effects of LGG application on emotional alterations in established diet-induced obesity. Furthermore, both HFD-feeding and LGG treatment exhibited sex-specific effects, resulting in metabolic improvements in female mice while LGG application mitigated depressive-like behavior in obese male mice along with a molecular signature of restored dopamine synthesis and neuropeptide signaling.},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Herpich2021,
  author    = {Herpich, Catrin},
  title     = {Fibroblast growth factor 21 and its association with nutritional stimuli in older age},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam},
  pages     = {75},
  year      = {2021},
  abstract  = {Fibroblast growth differentiation factor 21 (FGF21) is known as a pivotal regulator of the glucose and lipid metabolism. As such, it is considered beneficial and has even been labelled a longevity hormone. Nevertheless, recent observational studies have shown that FGF21 is increased in higher age with possible negative effects such as loss of lean and bone mass as well as decreased survival. Hepatic FGF21 secretion can be induced by various nutritional stimuli such as starvation, high carbohydrate and fat intake as well as protein deficiency.. So far it is still unclear whether the FGF21 response to different macronutrients is altered in older age. An altered response would potentially contribute to explain the higher FGF21 concentrations found in older age. In this publication-based doctoral dissertation, a cross-sectional study as well as a dietary challenge were conducted to investigate the influence of nutrition on FGF21 concentrations and response in older age. In a cross-sectional study, FGF21 concentrations were assessed in older patients with and without cachexia anorexia syndrome anorexia syndrome compared to an older community-dwelling control group. Cachexia anorexia syndrome is a multifactorial syndrome frequently occurring in old age or in the context of an underlying disease. It is characterized by a severe involuntary weight loss, loss of appetite (anorexia) and reduced food intake, therefore representing a state of severe nutrient deficiency, in some aspects similar to starvation. The highest FGF21 concentrations were found in patients with cachexia anorexia syndrome. Moreover, FGF21 was positively correlated with weight loss and loss of appetite. In addition, cachexia anorexia syndrome itself was associated with FGF21 independent of sex, age and body mass index. As cachectic patients presumably exhibit protein malnutrition and FGF21 has been proposed a marker for protein insufficiency, the higher levels of FGF21 in patients with cachexia anorexia syndrome might be partly explained by insufficient protein intake. In order to investigate the acute response of FGF21 to different nutritional stimuli, a dietary challenge with a parallel group design was conducted. Here, healthy older (65-85 years) and younger (18-35 years) adults were randomized to one of four test meals: a dextrose drink, a high carbohydrate, high fat or high protein meal. Over the course of four hours, postprandial FGF21 concentrations (dynamics) were assessed and the FGF21 response (incremental area under the curve) to each test meal was examined.. In a sub-group of older and younger women, also the adiponectin response was investigated, as adiponectin is a known mediator of FGF21 effects on glucose and lipid metabolism. The dietary meal challenge revealed that dextrose and high carbohydrate intake result in higher FGF21 concentrations after four hours in older adults. This was partly explained by higher postprandial glucose concentrations in the old. For high fat ingestion no age differences were found. For the first time, acute FGF21 response to high protein intake was shown. Here, protein ingestion resulted in lower FGF21 concentrations in younger compared to older adults. Furthermore, sufficient protein intake, according to age-dependent recommendations, of the previous day, was associated with lower FGF21 concentrations in both age groups. The higher FGF21 response to dextrose ingestion resulted in a higher adiponectin response in older women, independent of fat mass, insulin resistance, triglyceride concentrations, inflammation and oxidative stress. Following the high fat meal, adiponectin concentrations declined in older women. Adiponectin response was not affected by meal composition in younger women. In summary, this thesis showed a positive association of FGF21 and cachexia anorexia syndrome with concomitant anorexia in older patients. Regarding the acute FGF21 response, a higher response following dextrose and carbohydrate ingestion was found in older compared with younger subjects. This might be attributed to a higher glucose response in older age. Furthermore, it was shown that the higher FGF21 response after dextrose ingestion possibly contributes to a higher adiponectin response in older women, independent of potential metabolic and inflammatory confounders. Acute protein ingestion resulted in a significant decrease in FGF21 concentrations. Moreover, protein intake of the previous day was inversely associated with fasting FGF21 concentrations. This might explain why FGF21 concentrations are higher in cachexia anorexia syndrome. These results therefore support the role of FGF21 as a sensor of protein restriction.},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Grimmer2022,
  author    = {Grimmer, Benjamin},
  title     = {Pannexin 1},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam},
  pages     = {66, XXIX},
  year      = {2022},
  abstract  = {Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction is an active alveolar hypoxia-caused physiological response redirecting pulmonary blood flow from poorly ventilated areas to better oxygenated lung regions in order to optimize oxygen supply. However, the signaling pathways underlying this pulmonary vascular response remain an area under investigation. In the present study I investigated the functional relevance of Pannexin 1 (Panx1)-mediated ATP release in hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction and chronic hypoxic pulmonary hypertension using murine isolated perfused lungs, chronic hypoxic mice, and pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell culture. In isolated mouse lungs, switch to hypoxic gas induced a marked increase in pulmonary artery pressure. Pharmacological inhibition of Panx1 using probenecid, Panx1 specific inhibitory peptide (10Panx1) or spironolactone as well as genetic deletion of Panx1 in smooth muscle cells diminished hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction in isolated perfused mouse lungs. Fura-2 imaging revealed a reduced Ca2+ response to hypoxia in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells treated with spironolactone or 10Panx1. Although these findings suggested an important role of Panx1 in HPV, neither smooth muscle cell nor endothelial cell specific genetic deletion of Panx1 prevented the development of pulmonary hypertension in chronic hypoxic mice. Surprisingly, hypoxia did not induce ATP release and inhibition of purinergic receptors or ATP degradation by ATPase failed to decrease the pulmonary vasoconstriction response to hypoxia in isolated perfused mouse lungs. However, Panx1 antagonism as well as TRPV4 inhibition prevented the hypoxia-induced increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells in an additive manner suggesting that Panx1 might modulate intracellular Ca2+ signaling independently of the ATP-P2-TRPV4 signaling axis. In line with this assumption, overexpression of Panx1 in HeLa cells increased intracellular Ca2+ concentrations in response to acute hypoxia. Conclusion: In this study I identifiy Panx1 as novel regulator of HPV.. Yet, the role of Panx1 was not attributable to the release of ATP and downstream P2 signaling pathways or activation of TRPV4 but rathter relates to a role of Panx1 as indirect or direct modulator of the Ca2+ response to hypoxia in PASMCs. Genetic deletion of Panx1 did not influence the development of chronic hypoxic pulmonary hypertension in mice.},
  language  = {en}
}