TY - JOUR A1 - Puta, Christian A1 - Steidten, Thomas A1 - Baumbach, Philipp A1 - Woehrl, Toni A1 - May, Rico A1 - Kellmann, Michael A1 - Herbsleb, Marco A1 - Gabriel, Brunhild A1 - Weber, Stephanie A1 - Granacher, Urs A1 - Gabriel, Holger H. W. T1 - Standardized assessment of resistance training-Induced subjective symptoms and objective signs of immunological stress responses in young athletes JF - Frontiers in physiology N2 - From a health and performance-related perspective, it is crucial to evaluate subjective symptoms and objective signs of acute training-induced immunological responses in young athletes. The limited number of available studies focused on immunological adaptations following aerobic training. Hardly any studies have been conducted on resistance-training induced stress responses. Therefore, the aim of this observational study was to investigate subjective symptoms and objective signs of immunological stress responses following resistance training in young athletes. Fourteen (7 females and 7 males) track and field athletes with a mean age of 16.4 years and without any symptoms of upper or lower respiratory tract infections participated in this study. Over a period of 7 days, subjective symptoms using the Acute Recovery and Stress Scale (ARSS) and objective signs of immunological responses using capillary blood markers were taken each morning and after the last training session. Differences between morning and evening sessions and associations between subjective and objective parameters were analyzed using generalized estimating equations (GEE). In post hoc analyses, daily change-scores of the ARSS dimensions were compared between participants and revealed specific changes in objective capillary blood samples. In the GEE models, recovery (ARSS) was characterized by a significant decrease while stress (ARSS) showed a significant increase between morning and evening-training sessions. A concomitant increase in white blood cell count (WBC), granulocytes (GRAN) and percentage shares of granulocytes (GRAN%) was found between morning and evening sessions. Of note, percentage shares of lymphocytes (LYM%) showed a significant decrease. Furthermore, using multivariate regression analyses, we identified that recovery was significantly associated with LYM%, while stress was significantly associated with WBC and GRAN%. Post hoc analyses revealed significantly larger increases in participants' stress dimensions who showed increases in GRAN%. For recovery, significantly larger decreases were found in participants with decreases in LYM% during recovery. More specifically, daily change-scores of the recovery and stress dimensions of the ARSS were associated with specific changes in objective immunological markers (GRAN%, LYM%) between morning and evening-training sessions. Our results indicate that changes of subjective symptoms of recovery and stress dimensions using the ARSS were associated with specific changes in objectively measured immunological markers. KW - immune system KW - strength training KW - track and field KW - youth KW - Acute Recovery and Stress Scale (ARSS) Y1 - 2018 U6 - https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2018.00698 SN - 1664-042X VL - 9 PB - Frontiers Research Foundation CY - Lausanne ER - TY - GEN A1 - Puta, Christian A1 - Steidten, Thomas A1 - Baumbach, Philipp A1 - Wöhrl, Toni A1 - May, Rico A1 - Kellmann, Michael A1 - Herbsleb, Marco A1 - Gabriel, Brunhild A1 - Weber, Stephanie A1 - Granacher, Urs A1 - Gabriel, Holger H. W. T1 - Standardized assessment of resistance training BT - Induced subjective symptoms and objective signs of immunological stress responses in young athletes T2 - Postprints der Universität Potsdam Humanwissenschaftliche Reihe N2 - From a health and performance-related perspective, it is crucial to evaluate subjective symptoms and objective signs of acute training-induced immunological responses in young athletes. The limited number of available studies focused on immunological adaptations following aerobic training. Hardly any studies have been conducted on resistance-training induced stress responses. Therefore, the aim of this observational study was to investigate subjective symptoms and objective signs of immunological stress responses following resistance training in young athletes. Fourteen (7 females and 7 males) track and field athletes with a mean age of 16.4 years and without any symptoms of upper or lower respiratory tract infections participated in this study. Over a period of 7 days, subjective symptoms using the Acute Recovery and Stress Scale (ARSS) and objective signs of immunological responses using capillary blood markers were taken each morning and after the last training session. Differences between morning and evening sessions and associations between subjective and objective parameters were analyzed using generalized estimating equations (GEE). In post hoc analyses, daily change-scores of the ARSS dimensions were compared between participants and revealed specific changes in objective capillary blood samples. In the GEE models, recovery (ARSS) was characterized by a significant decrease while stress (ARSS) showed a significant increase between morning and evening-training sessions. A concomitant increase in white blood cell count (WBC), granulocytes (GRAN) and percentage shares of granulocytes (GRAN%) was found between morning and evening sessions. Of note, percentage shares of lymphocytes (LYM%) showed a significant decrease. Furthermore, using multivariate regression analyses, we identified that recovery was significantly associated with LYM%, while stress was significantly associated with WBC and GRAN%. Post hoc analyses revealed significantly larger increases in participants’ stress dimensions who showed increases in GRAN%. For recovery, significantly larger decreases were found in participants with decreases in LYM% during recovery. More specifically, daily change-scores of the recovery and stress dimensions of the ARSS were associated with specific changes in objective immunological markers (GRAN%, LYM%) between morning and evening-training sessions. Our results indicate that changes of subjective symptoms of recovery and stress dimensions using the ARSS were associated with specific changes in objectively measured immunological markers. T3 - Zweitveröffentlichungen der Universität Potsdam : Humanwissenschaftliche Reihe - 542 KW - immune system KW - strength training KW - track and field KW - youth KW - Acute Recovery and Stress Scale (ARSS) Y1 - 2019 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-426289 SN - 1866-8364 IS - 542 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Wiesner-Reinhold, Melanie A1 - Schreiner, Monika A1 - Baldermann, Susanne A1 - Schwarz, Dietmar A1 - Hanschen, Franziska S. A1 - Kipp, Anna Patricia A1 - Rowan, Daryl D. A1 - Bentley-Hewitt, Kerry L. A1 - McKenzie, Marian J. T1 - Mechanisms of Selenium Enrichment and Measurement in Brassicaceous Vegetables, and Their Application to Human Health JF - Frontiers in plant science N2 - Selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient for human health. Se deficiency affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide, particularly in developing countries, and there is increasing awareness that suboptimal supply of Se can also negatively affect human health. Selenium enters the diet primarily through the ingestion of plant and animal products. Although, plants are not dependent on Se they take it up from the soil through the sulphur (S) uptake and assimilation pathways. Therefore, geographic differences in the availability of soil Se and agricultural practices have a profound influence on the Se content of many foods, and there are increasing efforts to biofortify crop plants with Se. Plants from the Brassicales are of particular interest as they accumulate and synthesize Se into forms with additional health benefits, such as methylselenocysteine (MeSeCys). The Brassicaceae are also well-known to produce the glucosinolates; S-containing compounds with demonstrated human health value. Furthermore, the recent discovery of the selenoglucosinolates in the Brassicaceae raises questions regarding their potential bioefficacy. In this review we focus on Se uptake and metabolism in the Brassicaceae in the context of human health, particularly cancer prevention and immunity. We investigate the close relationship between Se and S metabolism in this plant family, with particular emphasis on the selenoglucosinolates, and consider the methodologies available for identifying and quantifying further novel Se-containing compounds in plants. Finally, we summarize the research of multiple groups investigating biofortification of the Brassicaceae and discuss which approaches might be most successful for supplying Se deficient populations in the future. KW - Brassica vegetables KW - selenium KW - biofortification KW - glucosinolates KW - human health KW - immune system KW - cancer KW - analytical methods Y1 - 2017 U6 - https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2017.01365 SN - 1664-462X VL - 8 PB - Frontiers Research Foundation CY - Lausanne ER - TY - THES A1 - Meyer-Lucht, Yvonne T1 - Does variability matter? Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) variation and its associations to parasitism in natural small mammal populations T1 - Die Vielfalt der MHC Immungene und ihre Bedeutung in der Parasitenabwehr in natürlichen Kleinsäugerpopulationen N2 - The adaptive evolutionary potential of a species or population to cope with omnipresent environmental challenges is based on its genetic variation. Variability at immune genes, such as the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes, is assumed to be a very powerful and effective tool to keep pace with diverse and rapidly evolving pathogens. In my thesis, I studied natural levels of variation at the MHC genes, which have a key role in immune defence, and parasite burden in different small mammal species. I assessed the importance of MHC variation for parasite burden in small mammal populations in their natural environment. To understand the processes shaping different patterns of MHC variation I focused on evidence of selection through pathogens upon the host. Further, I addressed the issue of low MHC diversity in populations or species, which could potentially arise as a result from habitat fragmentation and isolation. Despite their key role in the mammalian evolution the marsupial MHC has been rarely investigated. Studies on primarily captive or laboratory bred individuals indicated very little or even no polymorphism at the marsupial MHC class II genes. However, natural levels of marsupial MHC diversity and selection are unknown to date as studies on wild populations are virtually absent. I investigated MHC II variation in two Neotropical marsupial species endemic to the threatened Brazilian Atlantic Forest (Gracilinanus microtarsus, Marmosops incanus) to test whether the predicted low marsupial MHC class II polymorphism proves to be true under natural conditions. For the first time in marsupials I confirmed characteristics of MHC selection that were so far only known from eutherian mammals, birds, and fish: Positive selection on specific codon sites, recombination, and trans-species polymorphism. Beyond that, the two marsupial species revealed considerable differences in their MHC class II diversity. Diversity was rather low in M. incanus but tenfold higher in G. microtarsus, disproving the predicted general low marsupial MHC class II variation. As pathogens are believed to be very powerful drivers of MHC diversity, I studied parasite burden in both host species to understand the reasons for the remarkable differences in MHC diversity. In both marsupial species specific MHC class II variants were associated to either high or low parasite load highlighting the importance of the marsupial MHC class II in pathogen defence. I developed two alternative scenarios with regard to MHC variation, parasite load, and parasite diversity. In the ‘evolutionary equilibrium’ scenario I assumed the species with low MHC diversity, M. incanus, to be under relaxed pathogenic selection and expected low parasite diversity. Alternatively, low MHC diversity could be the result of a recent loss of genetic variation by means of a genetic bottleneck event. Under this ‘unbalanced situation’ scenario, I assumed a high parasite burden in M. incanus due to a lack of resistance alleles. Parasitological results clearly reject the first scenario and point to the second scenario, as M. incanus is distinctly higher parasitised but parasite diversity is relatively equal compared to G. microtarsus. Hence, I suggest that the parasite load in M. incanus is rather the consequence than the cause for its low MHC diversity. MHC variation and its associations to parasite burden have been typically studied within single populations but MHC variation between populations was rarely taken into account. To gain scientific insight on this issue, I chose a common European rodent species. In the yellow necked mouse (Apodemus flavicollis), I investigated the effects of genetic diversity on parasite load not on the individual but on the population level. I included populations, which possess different levels of variation at the MHC as well as at neutrally evolving genetic markers (microsatellites). I was able to show that mouse populations with a high MHC allele diversity are better armed against high parasite burdens highlighting the significance of adaptive genetic diversity in the field of conservation genetics. An individual itself will not directly benefit from its population’s large MHC allele pool in terms of parasite resistance. But confronted with the multitude of pathogens present in the wild a population with a large MHC allele reservoir is more likely to possess individuals with resistance alleles. These results deepen our understanding of the complex causes and processes of evolutionary adaptations between hosts and pathogens. N2 - In einer sich ständig verändernden Umwelt ist es unverzichtbar, sich fortwährend zu verändern und anzupassen. Dabei gründet sich das Anpassungsvermögen oder das evolutionäre Potential einer Art auf ihre genetische Variabilität. In der Krankheitsabwehr ist die Variabilität der Immungene ein besonders wichtiges und effektives Instrument, weil Pathogene sehr vielfältig sind und schnell evolvieren. Im Rahmen meiner Doktorarbeit habe ich mich mit der Variabilität des Immungen-Komplexes MHC (major histocompatibility complex) beschäftigt, der eine Schlüsselrolle in der Immunabwehr bei Vertebraten einnimmt. Anhand verschiedener Arten und Populationen von Kleinsäugern habe ich den Einfluss der MHC Vielfalt auf den Parasitenbefall unter natürlichen Bedingungen untersucht. Dabei interessierte mich insbesondere das Vorkommen geringer MHC Variabilität in Populationen, das möglicherweise eine Folge von Lebensraum-fragmentierung und Isolation ist. Obwohl Beuteltiere eine zentrale Rolle in der Evolution der Säugetiere spielen, ist über ihren MHC bislang nur sehr wenig bekannt. Einige Studien befassten sich mit Labor- oder Zootieren, und deuteten auf geringe oder sogar gar keine Variation im MHC Klasse II bei Beuteltieren hin. Allerdings gab es bislang nahezu keine Studien an frei lebenden Beuteltieren, deshalb war bislang ein natürliches Ausmaß der MHC Variabilität unbekannt. Anhand von zwei endemischen neotropischen Beuteltieren aus dem brasilianischen Küstenregenwald (Gracilinanus microtarsus, Marmosops incanus) habe ich überprüft, ob sich diese geringe MHC Vielfalt unter natürlichen Freilandbedingungen bestätigt. Erstmals konnte ich zeigen, dass der MHC II bei Beuteltieren charakteristische Merkmale positiver Selektion aufweist, die bisher nur von placentalen Säugern, Vögeln und Fischen bekannt waren: Positive Selektion auf spezifischen Aminosäurepositionen, Rekombination und Trans-Species-Polymorphismus. Darüber hinaus unterschieden sich die beiden Beuteltierarten beträchtlich in ihrer MHC II Variabilität. Während M. incanus sich als relativ wenig divers erwies, zeigte G. microtarsus eine zehnmal höhere Vielfalt und widerlegt damit die generelle Gültigkeit der ursprünglich angenommenen geringen MHC II Variabilität bei Beuteltieren. Um diese beachtlichen Diversitätsunterschiede zwischen den beiden Arten zu erklären, habe ich die Parasitenbelastung untersucht. Bei beiden Arten konnte ich nachweisen, dass bestimmte MHC Varianten mit entweder hoher oder niedriger Parasitenbelastung verknüpft waren. Solche Assoziationen spiegeln Pathogen-vermittelte Selektion wider, untermauern die Funktionalität des MHC Klasse II bei Beuteltieren und weisen auf dieselbe Bedeutsamkeit des MHC wie bei placentalen Säuger, Vögeln und Fischen hin. Ich entwickelte zwei alternative evolutionäre Szenarien, unter denen eine geringe MHC Variabilität denkbar ist. Im Szenario des ‘evolutionären Gleichgewichts’ ist geringe MHC Variabilität die Folge eines verminderten Selektionsdruckes durch wenige Parasiten, sodass eine geringe Parasitendiversität zu erwarten ist. Alternativ könnte eine geringe MHC Variabilität aber auch Folge eines kürzlich erlittenen Verlustes an genetischer Variabilität sein, beispielsweise durch ein Flaschenhalsereignis. Unter diesem Szenario des ‘Ungleichgewichts’ wäre bei M. incanus im Falle eines potentiellen Verlustes von Resistenzallelen eine starke Parasitenbelastung zu erwarten. Die parasitologischen Ergebnisse widersprechen dem ersten und deuten eher auf das zweite Szenario. M. incanus war deutlich stärker parasitiert als G. microtarsus, wohingegen die Parasitendiversität bei beiden Arten ungefähr gleich war. Die hohe Parasitenbelastung bei M. incanus ist offenbar weniger der Auslöser als vielmehr eine Folge seiner geringen MHC Vielfalt zu sein. Üblicherweise werden sowohl die Variabilität des MHC als auch seine Verknüpfung mit Parasitenbelastung innerhalb von einzelnen Populationen untersucht, nur selten wird die Variation zwischen Populationen in Betracht gezogen. Um Erkenntnisse auf dieser Ebene zu gewinnen, habe ich den Zusammenhang zwischen genetischer Vielfalt und Parasitenbelastung nicht auf der Ebene des Individuums, sondern auf der Populationsebene anhand der europäischen Gelbhalsmaus (Apodemus flavicollis) erforscht. Dabei wurden Populationen mit unterschiedlicher genetischer Variabilität am MHC und an neutralen genetischen Markern (Mikrosatelliten) betrachtet. Ich konnte nachweisen, dass Populationen, die über ein großes Spektrum verschiedener MHC Allele verfügen, besser gegen starke Parasitenbelastung gewappnet sind als Populationen mit einer geringen Anzahl MHC Allele. In einer MHC-diversen Population ist die Gegenwart von Individuen mit Resistenzallelen deutlich wahrscheinlicher, und damit die Überlebenswahrscheinlichkeit der Population. Diese Ergebnisse erweitern und vertiefen unsere Erkenntnisse zu die komplexen evolutionären Vorgängen und Mechanismen zwischen Wirt und Parasit in ihrem fortwährenden Wettstreit. KW - Haupthistokompatibilitätskomplex KW - Kleinsäuger KW - Parasitierung KW - Immunsystem KW - Vielfalt KW - major hhistocompatibility complex KW - small mammals KW - parasitism KW - immune system KW - diversity Y1 - 2009 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus-36419 ER -