TY - JOUR A1 - Rawel, Harshadrai Manilal A1 - Frey, Simone K. A1 - Meidtner, Karina A1 - Kroll, Jürgen A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. T1 - Determining the binding affinities of phenolic compounds to proteins by quenching of the intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence JF - Molecular nutrition & food research : bioactivity, chemistry, immunology, microbiology, safety, technology N2 - The noncovalent binding of selected phenolic compounds (chlorogenic-, ferutic-, gallic acid, quercetin, rutin, and isoquercetin) to proteins (HSA, BSA, soy glycinin, and lysozyme) was studied by an indirect method applying the quenching of intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence. From the data obtained, the binding constants were calculated by nonlinear regression (one site binding; y = Bx/k + x). It has been reported that tannins inhibit human salivary amylase and that these complexes may reduce the development of cariogenic plaques. Further, amylase contains two tryptophan residues in its active site. Therefore, in a second part of the study involving 31 human subjects, evidence was sought for noncovalent interactions between the phenols of green tea and saliva proteins as measured by the fluorescence intensity. Amylase activity was determined before and after the addition of green tea to saliva of 31 subjects. Forty percent of the subjects showed an increase in amylase activity contrary to studies reporting only a decrease in activity. The interactions of tannin with amylase result in a decrease of its activity. It still remains to be elucidated why amylase does not react uniformly under conditions of applying green tea to saliva. Further, in terms of using phenols as caries inhibitors this finding should be of importance. KW - amylase activity KW - green tea phenols KW - protein-phenol binding KW - saliva proteins KW - tryptophan quenching Y1 - 2006 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1002/mnfr.200600013 SN - 1613-4125 VL - 50 IS - 8 SP - 705 EP - 713 PB - Wiley CY - Weinheim ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Ghaffari, Morteza Hosseini A1 - Bernhoeft, Katrin A1 - Etheve, Stephane A1 - Immig, Irmgard A1 - Hoelker, Michael A1 - Sauerwein, Helga A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. T1 - Technical note: Rapid field test for the quantification of vitamin E, beta-carotene, and vitamin A in whole blood and plasma of dairy cattle JF - Journal of dairy science N2 - Fast and easy tests for quantifying fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamin E and vitamin A, as well as beta-carotene, in whole blood without a need to preprocess blood samples could facilitate assessment of the vitamin status of dairy cattle. The objective of this study was to validate a field-portable fluorometer/spectrophotometer assay for the rapid quantification of these vitamins in whole blood and plasma of dairy cows and calves. We measured the concentrations of vitamin E and beta-carotene in whole blood and plasma from 28 dairy cows and 11 calves using the iCheck test (Bio-Analyt GmbH, Teltow, Germany) and compared the results with the current analytical standard (HPLC) in 2 independent laboratories, one at the University of Potsdam (Germany) and at one at DSM Nutritional Products Ltd. (Kaiseraugst, Switzerland). For vitamin A, the HPLC measurements were done only in the laboratory in Germany. The whole-blood concentrations of vitamin E as determined by iCheck (blood-hematocritcorrected) ranged from 1.82 to 4.99 mg/L in dairy cows and 0.34 to 3.40 mg/L in calves. These findings were moderately correlated (R-2 = 0.66) with the values assessed by HPLC in dairy cattle (cows + calves). When calves were excluded, the correlation was higher (R-2 = 0.961). The beta-carotene and vitamin A values obtained by the reference method HPLC were highly correlated with the iCheck methods in whole blood (R-2 = 0.99 and 0.88, respectively). In plasma, we observed strong correlations between the concentrations assessed by iCheck and those of HPLC for vitamin E (R-2 = 0.97), beta-carotene (R-2 = 0.98), and vitamin A (R-2 = 0.92) in dairy cattle (cows + calves). For vitamin E, beta-carotene, and vitamin A, we compared the relationship between the differences obtained by the iCheck assay and the HPLC measurements, as well as the magnitude of measurements, using Bland-Altman plots to test for systematic bias. For all 3 vitamins, the differences values were not outside the 95% acceptability limits; we found no systematic error between the 2 methods for all 3 analytes. KW - vitamin KW - cow-side assay KW - HPLC KW - method comparison Y1 - 2019 U6 - https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2019-16755 SN - 0022-0302 SN - 1525-3198 VL - 102 IS - 12 SP - 11744 EP - 11750 PB - Elsevier CY - New York ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Garcia, Ada Lizbeth A1 - Raila, Jens A1 - Koebnick, Corinna A1 - Eulenberger, Klaus A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. T1 - Great apes show highly selective plasma carotenoids and have physiologically high plasma retinyl esters compared to humans JF - American journal of physical anthropology N2 - Great apes are the closest living relatives of humans. Physiological similarities between great apes and humans provide clues to identify which biological features in humans are primitive or derived from great apes. Vitamin A (VA) and carotenoid metabolism have been only partially studied in great apes, and comparisons between great apes and humans are not available. We aimed to investigate VA and carotenoid intake and plasma concentrations in great apes living in captivity, and to compare them to healthy humans. Dietary intakes of humans (n = 20) and, among the great apes, chimpanzees (n = 15) and orangutans (n = 5) were calculated. Plasma retinol (ROH), retinol-binding protein (RBP), retinyl esters, and major carotenoids were analyzed. The great ape diet was higher in VA than in humans, due to high intake of provitamin A carotenoids. Plasma ROH concentrations in great apes were similar to those in humans, but retinyl esters were higher in great apes than in humans. Differences in plasma carotenoid concentrations were observed between great apes and humans. Lutein was the main carotenoid in great apes, while P-carotene was the main carotenoid for humans. RBP concentrations did not differ between great apes and humans. The molar ratio of ROH to RBP was close to 1.0 in both great apes and humans. In conclusion, great apes show homeostatic ROH regulation, with high but physiological retinyl esters circulating in plasma. Furthermore, great apes show great selectivity in their plasmatic carotenoid concentration, which is not explained by dietary intake. KW - vitamin A KW - diet KW - retinol-binding protein KW - chimpanzee KW - orangutan Y1 - 2006 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.20428 SN - 0002-9483 VL - 131 IS - 2 SP - 236 EP - 242 PB - Wiley CY - Hoboken ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Abebe, Zeweter A1 - Haki, Gulelat Desse A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. A1 - Henkel, Ina M. A1 - Baye, Kaleab T1 - Low breastmilk vitamin A concentration is prevalent in rural Ethiopia JF - European journal of clinical nutrition N2 - Background There is scant information on the breastmilk vitamin A (BMVA) concentration of lactating women in developing countries, partly due to lack of methods applicable in-field. Objective To assess BMVA concentrations of samples collected from lactating women of children aged 6-23 months, in Mecha district, Ethiopia. Subjects/methods Data on socio-demographic and anthropometric characteristics were collected from randomly selected lactating women (n = 104). Breast milk samples were collected and vitamin A concentrations were analyzed using HPLC and iCheck FLUORO then the two measurements were compared. Results The prevalence of underweight (BMI < 18.5 kg/m(2)) among lactating women was 17%. Seventy six percent of the BMVA values were < 1.05 mu mol/l and 81% were < 8 mu g/g fat. The mean BMVA concentration accounted to 41% of the estimated average value for mothers in developing countries. The BMVA values from HPLC and iCheck were correlated (r = 0.59, p = < 0.001), but it was not strong. Conclusions The result indicates the low vitamin A status of the lactating women and their children. It further indicates that intake assessments should not use average BMVA composition. The possibility of using iCheck for monitoring interventions designed to improve vitamin A status of lactating women with low BMVA requires further investigation. Y1 - 2019 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1038/s41430-018-0334-4 SN - 0954-3007 SN - 1476-5640 VL - 73 IS - 8 SP - 1110 EP - 1116 PB - Nature Publ. Group CY - London ER - TY - GEN A1 - Jamnok, Jutatip A1 - Sanchaisuriya, Kanokwan A1 - Yamsri, Supawadee A1 - Fucharoen, Goonnapa A1 - Fucharoen, Supan A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. A1 - Sanchaisuriya, Pattara T1 - Application of a new portable nephelometer for screening thalassemia in countries with limited resources T2 - International Journal of Laboratory Hematology Y1 - 2018 SN - 1751-5521 SN - 1751-553X VL - 40 SP - 62 EP - 62 PB - Wiley CY - Hoboken ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Karuwanarint, Piyaporn A1 - Phonrat, Benjaluck A1 - Tungtrongchitr, Anchalee A1 - Suriyaprom, Kanjana A1 - Chuengsamarn, Somlak A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. A1 - Tungtrongchitr, Rungsunn T1 - Vitamin D-binding protein and its polymorphisms as a predictor for metabolic syndrome JF - Biomarkers in medicine N2 - Aim: To investigate the relationship of vitamin D-binding protein (GC) and genetic variation of GC (rs4588, rs7041 and rs2282679) with metabolic syndrome (MetS) in the Thai population. Materials & methods: GCglobulin concentrations were measured by quantitative western blot analysis in 401 adults. All participants were genotyped using TaqMan allelic discrimination assays. Results: GC-globulin levels were significatly lower in MetS subjects than in control subjects, in which significant negative correlations of GC-globulin levels with systolic blood pressure, glucose and age were found. Male participants who carried the GT genotype for rs4588 showed an increased risk of MetS compared with the GG wild-type (odds ratio: 3.25; p = 0.004). Conclusion: GC-globulin concentrations and variation in GC rs4588 were supported as a risk factor for MetS in Thais. KW - GC gene KW - GC-globulin KW - metabolic syndrome KW - polymorphism KW - Thai population KW - vitamin D-binding protein Y1 - 2018 U6 - https://doi.org/10.2217/bmm-2018-0029 SN - 1752-0363 SN - 1752-0371 VL - 12 IS - 5 SP - 465 EP - 473 PB - Future Medicine CY - London ER - TY - GEN A1 - Morris, Penelope J. A1 - Salt, Carina A1 - Raila, Jens A1 - Brenten, Thomas A1 - Kohn, Barbara A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. A1 - Zentek, Jürgen T1 - Safety evaluation of vitamin A in growing dogs T2 - Potsprints der Universität Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe N2 - The safe upper limit for inclusion of vitamin A in complete diets for growing dogs is uncertain, with the result that current recommendations range from 5.24 to 104.80 mu mol retinol (5000 to 100 000 IU vitamin A)/4184 kJ (1000 kcal) metabolisable energy (ME). The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of feeding four concentrations of vitamin A to puppies from weaning until 1 year of age. A total of forty-nine puppies, of two breeds, Labrador Retriever and Miniature Schnauzer, were randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups. Following weaning at 8 weeks of age, puppies were fed a complete food supplemented with retinyl acetate diluted in vegetable oil and fed at 1ml oil/100 g diet to achieve an intake of 5.24, 13.10, 78.60 and 104.80 mu mol retinol (5000, 12 500, 75 000 and 100 000 IU vitamin A)/4184 kJ (1000 kcal) ME. Fasted blood and urine samples were collected at 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 20, 26, 36 and 52 weeks of age and analysed for markers of vitamin A metabolism and markers of safety including haematological and biochemical variables, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, cross-linked carboxyterminal telopeptides of type I collagen and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Clinical examinations were conducted every 4 weeks. Data were analysed by means of a mixed model analysis with Bonferroni corrections for multiple endpoints. There was no effect of vitamin A concentration on any of the parameters, with the exception of total serum retinyl esters, and no effect of dose on the number, type and duration of adverse events. We therefore propose that 104.80 mu mol retinol (100 000 IU vitamin A)/4184 kJ (1000 kcal) is a suitable safe upper limit for use in the formulation of diets designed for puppy growth. T3 - Zweitveröffentlichungen der Universität Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe - 686 KW - puppies KW - dogs KW - Retinol KW - Retinyl esters KW - vitamin A Y1 - 2019 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-414929 IS - 686 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Forterre, Simone A1 - Raila, Jens A1 - Kohn, Barbara A1 - Brunnberg, Leo A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. T1 - Protein profiling of organic stone matrix and urine from dogs with urolithiasis N2 - Two-thirds of the organic matrix in urinary stones consists of proteins. Their relationship to calculogenesis remains controversial with regard to their effect as inhibitors or promoters during stone formation. The purpose of the present study was to determine the differences in peptide and protein pattern between the urine of stone formers (n = 23) and control dogs (n = 12), as well as between organic matrix of different urinary stones (struvite n = 11, calcium oxalate n = 8, uric acid n = 4) using surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Specific differences in protein and peptide profiles were found in the organic matrix of different mineral compositions. Characteristic differences were also found in urinary peptide and protein pattern especially in molecular masses below 20 kDa between affected and healthy dogs. Based on the obtained molecular masses they were in some cases tentatively identified as proteins that are known to be involved in stone formation in humans. The study shows that in dogs, specific-urinary peptides and proteins might be associated with urolithiasis. It indicates the importance to further characterize those proteins for possible diagnostic purposes in prognosis and therapy Y1 - 2006 UR - http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/122630496/grouphome/home.html U6 - https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0396.2005.00590.x SN - 0931-2439 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Ruhl, R. A1 - Fritzsche, Britta A1 - Vermot, J. A1 - Niederreither, K. A1 - Neumann, U. A1 - Schmidt, A. A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. A1 - Dolle, P. T1 - Regulation of expression of the retinoic acid-synthesising enzymes retinaldehyde dehydrogenases in the uteri of ovariectomised mice after treatment with oestrogen, gestagen and their combination N2 - The active metabolite of vitaminA, retinoic acid (RA), plays an important role in the female reproductive system. The synthesis of RA is tightly regulated by the activity of retinaldehyde dehydrogenases (Raldh). Among these, Raldh1 and Raldh2 exhibit specific temporal and spatial expression patterns in the mouse uterus, both during the oestrous cycle and early pregnancy. In the present study, we have assessed whether oestradiol and progesterone directly influence the uterine expression of Raldh1 and Raldh2 in ovariectomised mice. We investigated the effect of gestagen (promegestone 0.3 mg kg(-1) bodyweight), oestrogen (oestradiol 3 mu g kg(-1) bodyweight) and their combination on the uterine expression of Raldh2. Expression was analysed using in situ hybridisation and quantified using real-time detection reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The results show that the expression of Raldh2 is rapidly (within 1-4 h) induced in stromal cells by oestrogen, but not by gestagen, treatment, whereas combined oestrogen + gestagen treatment leads to a more prolonged (48 h) response. In contrast, oestrogen, but not progesterone, treatment downregulates (within 4 - 24 h) Raldh1 expression in the uterine glandular epithelium. We conclude that the uterine RA concentrations are regulated by oestrogens via an effect on the expression of the Raldh synthesising enzymes. Such a regulation is consistent with the natural fluctuations of Raldh expression during the oestrous cycle, early pregnancy and blastocyst implantation Y1 - 2006 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Forterre, Simone A1 - Raila, Jens A1 - Forterre, Franck A1 - Brunnberg, Leo A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. T1 - Characterisation of transthyretin and retinol-binding protein in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid of dogs N2 - The aim of this study was to investigate differences in concentrations of vitamin A, transthyretin (TTR) and retinol-binding protein (RBP) between plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in dogs. RBP was detected using ELISA, and both RBP and TTR by Western blot analysis after separation on SDS-PAGE. Vitamin A was determined by high performance liquid chromatography. RBP and TTR as well as vitamin A were detected in all samples but at substantially lower concentrations in CSF compared to plasma. RBP in dog plasma showed a similar molecular mass to that of humans, whereas canine TTR had a lower molecular mass. Comparison between plasma and CSF showed that both RBP and TTR were of lower molecular mass in CSF. In CSF, RBP and retinol were present at 10-100-fold lower concentrations compared to plasma. Retinyl esters were present only in minute amounts in 5/17 samples. In conclusion, the CSF of dogs compared to humans is significantly different in terms of both quality and quantity of transport proteins for vitamin A. Y1 - 2006 UR - http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/10900233 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2004.11.017 SN - 1090-0233 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Henze, Andrea A1 - Homann, Thomas A1 - Rohn, Isabelle A1 - Aschner, Michael A. A1 - Link, Christopher D. A1 - Kleuser, Burkhard A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. A1 - Schwerdtle, Tanja A1 - Bornhorst, Julia T1 - Caenorhabditis elegans as a model system to study post-translational modifications of human transthyretin JF - Scientific reports N2 - The visceral protein transthyretin (TTR) is frequently affected by oxidative post-translational protein modifications (PTPMs) in various diseases. Thus, better insight into structure-function relationships due to oxidative PTPMs of TTR should contribute to the understanding of pathophysiologic mechanisms. While the in vivo analysis of TTR in mammalian models is complex, time- and resource-consuming, transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans expressing hTTR provide an optimal model for the in vivo identification and characterization of drug-mediated oxidative PTPMs of hTTR by means of matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization – time of flight – mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). Herein, we demonstrated that hTTR is expressed in all developmental stages of Caenorhabditis elegans, enabling the analysis of hTTR metabolism during the whole life-cycle. The suitability of the applied model was verified by exposing worms to D-penicillamine and menadione. Both drugs induced substantial changes in the oxidative PTPM pattern of hTTR. Additionally, for the first time a covalent binding of both drugs with hTTR was identified and verified by molecular modelling. KW - n-acetyl-cysteine KW - s-glutathionylation KW - force-field KW - c. elegans KW - life-span KW - protein KW - cells KW - menadione KW - disease KW - binding Y1 - 2016 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1038/srep37346 SN - 2045-2322 VL - 6 PB - Nature Publishing Group CY - London ER - TY - GEN A1 - Henze, Andrea A1 - Homann, Thomas A1 - Rohn, Isabelle A1 - Aschner, Michael A. A1 - Link, Christopher D. A1 - Kleuser, Burkhard A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. A1 - Schwerdtle, Tanja A1 - Bornhorst, Julia T1 - Caenorhabditis elegans as a model system to study post-translational modifications of human transthyretin N2 - The visceral protein transthyretin (TTR) is frequently affected by oxidative post-translational protein modifications (PTPMs) in various diseases. Thus, better insight into structure-function relationships due to oxidative PTPMs of TTR should contribute to the understanding of pathophysiologic mechanisms. While the in vivo analysis of TTR in mammalian models is complex, time- and resource-consuming, transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans expressing hTTR provide an optimal model for the in vivo identification and characterization of drug-mediated oxidative PTPMs of hTTR by means of matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization – time of flight – mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). Herein, we demonstrated that hTTR is expressed in all developmental stages of Caenorhabditis elegans, enabling the analysis of hTTR metabolism during the whole life-cycle. The suitability of the applied model was verified by exposing worms to D-penicillamine and menadione. Both drugs induced substantial changes in the oxidative PTPM pattern of hTTR. Additionally, for the first time a covalent binding of both drugs with hTTR was identified and verified by molecular modelling. T3 - Zweitveröffentlichungen der Universität Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe - 312 KW - binding KW - c. elegans KW - cells KW - disease KW - force-field KW - life-span KW - menadione KW - n-acetyl-cysteine KW - protein KW - s-glutathionylation Y1 - 2016 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-103674 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Andert, Christoph U. A1 - Sanchaisuriya, Pattara A1 - Sanchaisuriya, Kanokwan A1 - Schelp, Frank P. A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. T1 - Nutritional status of pregnant women in Northeast Thailand N2 - A comparative study on the nutritional status of primiparous and multiparous women in the first trimester of pregnancy was conducted in the northeastern province of Thailand, Khon Kaen, to investigate differences in protein- energy-mal nutrition, iron deficiency anaemia, vitamin A deficiency and carotenoid status between both parity groups. 94 subjects were recruited at first attendance of antenatal clinic. Data about weight, height, haemoglobin and haematocrit were obtained from hospital records. Anthropometric measurements of mid-upper arm circumference and triceps skinfold were done on a sub sample. Retinol, carotenoids and alpha-tocopherol were analysed using a reversed-phase high- performance liquid chromatography method. Ferritin, transthyretin and retinol-binding protein were determined by enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay. Primiparous women showed lower body mass index, mid-upper arm circumference, corrected arm muscle area (P <0.001) as well as lower retinol, cholesterol and triceps skinfold (P <0.05). After adjusting for age and socio-economical status the significant difference persisted for all parameters but triceps skinfold. No significant differences of alpha-tocopherol, serum proteins, carotenoids and iron indices could be observed, even though a tendency to higher values for ferritin, haemoglobin and haematocrit was shown in multiparous women. Prevalence of protein-energy- malnutrition (body mass index <18.5 kg/m(2)) in the primiparous group was significantly higher compared to the multiparous group (P<0.05). Prevalence of protein-energy-malnutrition, iron deficiency anaemia and vitamin A deficiency were 15.1%, 6.3% and 3.3%, respectively, in the total study population. No differences between parity groups could be observed for prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia and vitamin A deficiency Y1 - 2006 UR - http://www.healthyeatingclub.com/APJCN/ SN - 0964-7058 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Raila, Jens A1 - Forterre, Simone A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. T1 - Markerproteine im Harn von Hunden Y1 - 2005 SN - 3-8304-1051-4 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. A1 - Sehouli, Jalid T1 - Transthyretin, a biomarker for nutritional status and ovarian cancer Y1 - 2005 SN - 0008-5472 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. A1 - Raila, Jens T1 - Inadequate attempts to measure the microheterogeneity of transthyretin by low-resolution mass spectrometry : Response Y1 - 2005 SN - 0009-9147 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Hammes, Annette A1 - Andreassen, Thomas K. A1 - Spoelgen, Robert A1 - Raila, Jens A1 - Hubner, Norbert A1 - Schulz, Herbert A1 - Metzger, Jochen A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. A1 - Luppa, Peter B. A1 - Nykjaer, Andreas A1 - Willnow, Thomas E. T1 - Role of endocytosis in cellular uptake of sex steroids N2 - Androgens and estrogens are transported bound to the sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). SHBG is believed to keep sex steroids inactive and to control the amount of free hormones that enter cells by passive diffusion. Contrary to the free hormone hypothesis, we demonstrate that megalin, an endocytic receptor in reproductive tissues, acts as a pathway for cellular uptake of biologically active androgens and estrogens bound to SHBG. In line with this function, lack of receptor expression in megalin knockout mice results in impaired descent of the testes into the scrotum in males and blockade of vagina opening in females. Both processes are critically dependent on sex-steroid signaling, and similar defects are seen in animals treated with androgen- or estrogen-receptor antagonists. Thus, our findings uncover the existence of endocytic pathways for protein bound androgens and estrogens and their crucial role in development of the reproductive organs Y1 - 2005 SN - 0092-8674 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Raila, Jens A1 - Willnow, T. E. A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. T1 - Megalin-mediated reuptake of retinol in the kidneys of mice is essential for vitamin A homeostasis N2 - The reuptake of retinol (ROH) and retinol-binding protein (RBP) in the kidneys is mediated by the endocytic receptor megalin, suggesting an important role for this receptor in vitamin A (VA) metabolism. We examined the extent to which megalin deficiency may affect urinary ROH excretion, levels of ROH and RBP in plasma, as well as storage of VA in liver and kidney. For this purpose, mice with a kidney-specific megalin gene defect (megalin(lox/lox):; apoE(Cre)) and control mice (megalin(lox/lox)) were fed either a basal diet containing 4500 retinol equivalents (RE)/kg diet or a diet without VA during experimental periods of 42 and 84 d. Urinary ROH excretion was observed only in megalin(lox/lox); apoE(Cre) mice (P < 0.0001, 2-way ANOVA) and not in the controls. Plasma ROH and RBP differed only by diet (P < 0.05), but not genotype (P = 0.615). A major effect of megalin deficiency, however, was evident in retinyl ester levels in the liver (P < 0.05), which were similar to 37% lower than those in megalin(lox/lox) controls (P < 0.05, Student's t test) during the 84-d period of dietary VA deprivation. Kidney levels of VA were not affected by the receptor gene defect. The findings demonstrate that urinary ROH excretion caused by megalin deficiency requires accelerated mobilization of hepatic VA stores to maintain normal plasma ROH levels, which suggests that megalin plays an essential role in systemic VA homeostasis Y1 - 2005 SN - 0022-3166 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Raila, Jens A1 - Forterre, Simone A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. T1 - Physiologische und pathophysiologische Grundlagen der Proteinurie : eine Übersicht Y1 - 2005 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Rawel, Harshadrai Manilal A1 - Rohn, Sascha A1 - Kroll, Jürgen A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. T1 - Surface enhanced laser desorptions ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry analysis in complex food and biological systems Y1 - 2005 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Garcia, Ada A1 - Ruhl, R. A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. T1 - Retinoid concentrations in the mouse during postnatal development and after maternal vitamin a supplementation N2 - Background: Vitamin A (VA) and its derivates (retinoids) are important nutritional substances, which mediate their biological activity mainly via nuclear retinoid receptors. Maternal VA intake during lactation influences the VA content in milk and the VA status of the progeny. We investigated the effects of maternal supplementation during lactation and direct supplementation to the pups after weaning on the retinoid concentration in serum and liver of neonatal mice using high doses of VA. Methods: Dams were fed a basal (4,500 retinol equivalents/ kg diet) or a VA- supplemented (324,000 retinol equivalents/ kg diet) diet during lactation. Pups kept receiving the same diet after weaning. Serum and liver samples of the pups were collected during lactation at days 1, 3, 5, 7, and 14 and post-weaning at days 21 and 65 after birth. Samples were analysed for retinoids by high-performance liquid chromatography. Results: Maternal VA supplementation resulted in significantly higher concentrations of retinol, retinyl palmitate and retinyl stearate in serum of mice neonates at days 5, 7, 14, 21 and 65 after birth in comparison to the basal diet, whereas significantly higher concentrations were observed in liver at days 5, 14, 21 and 65 after birth. At day 7 after birth, a decrease in the liver retinoid concentrations occurred in the VA-supplemented diet. Conclusion: Our results show for the first time that supplementation with high doses of VA during the lactation period in mice can affect serum retinol concentrations in the neonates and report that day 7 after birth is a critical time in the tissue distribution of retinoids during postnatal development. Copyright (C) 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel Y1 - 2005 SN - 0250-6807 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Gericke, Beate A1 - Raila, Jens A1 - Sehouli, Jalid A1 - Haebel, Sophie A1 - Konsgen, D. A1 - Mustea, A. A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. T1 - Microheterogeneity of transthyretin in serum and ascitic fluid of ovarian cancer patients N2 - Background: Transthyretin (TTR), a traditional biomarker for nutritional and inflammatory status exists in different molecular variants of yet unknown importance. A truncated form of TTR has recently been described to be part of a set of biomarkers for the diagnosis of ovarian cancer. The main aim of the study was therefore to characterize differences in microheterogeneity between ascitic fluid and plasma of women affected with ovarian cancer and to evaluate the tumor site as the possible source of TTR. Methods: Subjects were 48 women with primary invasive epithelial ovarian cancer or recurrent ovarian carcinoma. The control group consisted of 20 postmenopausal women. TTR and retinol-binding protein (RBP) levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunoassay ( ELISA) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels by a high- sensitivity latex particle turbidimetric assay. The molecular heterogeneity of TTR was analysed using immunoprecipitation and matrix-associated laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). Presence of TTR in tumor tissue was determined with indirect peroxidase immunostaining. Results: TTR and RBP (mu g/ml) levels in serum were 148.5 +/- 96.7 and 22.5 +/- 14.8 in affected women compared to 363.3 +/- 105.5 and 55.8 +/- 9.3 in healthy postmenopausal women ( p < 0.01). In ascitic fluid, levels were 1.02 +/- 0.24 and 4.63 +/- 1.57 mu g/ml, respectively. The mean levels of TTR and RBP in serum showed a tendency to decrease with the severity of the disease and were lower in affected women whose CRP levels were > 40 mg/ml ( p = 0.08 for TTR; p < 0.05 for RBP). No differences in TTR microheterogeneity were observed between TTR isolated from serum of affected and healthy women or from ascitic fluid. TTR occurred rather consistently in four variants. Mass signals were at 13758 +/- 7, 13876 +/- 13 ( greatest intensity), 13924 +/- 21 and 14062 +/- 24 Da, representing native, S-cysteinylated, S-cysteinglycinylated and glutathionylated TTR, respectively. Serum of healthy and affected women as well as ascitic fluid contained the truncated fragment of TTR ( 12828 +/- 11 Da). No immunoreactive TTR was observed in the tumor sites. Conclusion: The severity of the cancer associated catabolism as well as the inflammation status affect serum TTR and RBP levels. Neither TTR nor its truncated form originates from tumor tissue and its occurrence in ascites may well reflect the filtration from blood into ascitic fluid Y1 - 2005 SN - 1471-2407 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Raila, Jens A1 - Forterre, Simone A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. T1 - Physiology and pathophysiology of proteinuria : a review N2 - The term proteinuria is taken to mean abnormally high protein excretion in the urine. Proteinuria is the consequence of glomerular filtration of plasma proteins, their subsequent reabsorption by the proximal tubular cells and secretion of protein by the tubular cells and distal urinary tract. In physiological conditions, the structural integry of the glomerular filtration barrier prevents the abnormal passage of albumin (molecular mass 66 kDa) and high-molecular- weight proteins (> 66 kDa),whereas the passage of low-molecular-weight proteins (< 66 kDa) is almost completely unrestricted. Proteins that arrive the tubular lumen are reabsorbed by endocytosis after binding to the megalin-cubilin complex. An increased load of proteins in the tubular lumen leads to the saturation of the reabsorptive mechanism and higher urinary protein excretion. Proteinuria can originate from prerenal, renal and postrenal causes. Elevated tubular protein concentrations have been recognized to be toxic to tubular cells and associated with the progression of chronic renal disease. Therefore, the quantitative and qualitative evaluation of proteinuria is important for the diagnosis of renal disease Y1 - 2005 SN - 0005-9366 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Lohrke, B. A1 - Viergutz, L. A1 - Kanitz, W. A1 - Becker, F. A1 - Gollnitz, K. A1 - Hurtienne, Andrea A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. T1 - Relationship between oxidant stress and milk productivity in dairy cows N2 - An imbalance between formation and detoxification of oxygen radicals leads to oxidant stress that may increase in more intense oxidative metabolism caused by a high intake of metabolizable energy to provide metabolic intermediates for the milk synthesis and secretion. This hypothesis was tested using dairy cows and the concentration of hydroperoxides in lipids (LHP) extracted from circulative lipoprotein particles of low and very low density (LDL and VLDL/chylomicrons) as oxidant stress indicator. The particles were prepared by ultracentrifugation of serum obtained by coccygeal bleeding (13 cows, 1. parity, n=8 and 2. parity, n=5, lactation stage, 53 +/- 1.4 days post partum) and purified by precipitation. Concentrations of LHP-LDL/mg Lipoprotein correlated significantly with daily milk yield (r = 0.73, P = 0.004) or daily milk energy output (r = 0.77, P = 0.003) in contrast to LHP of VLDL/chylomicron particles. Thus, some evidence was obtained for an almost linear, positive relationship between milk productivity and oxidant stress occurring in LDL Y1 - 2005 SN - 0005-9366 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Löhrke, B. A1 - Vierguth, T. A1 - Kanitz, W. A1 - Göllnitz, K. A1 - Becker, F. A1 - Hurtienne, Andrea A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. T1 - High milk yield in dairy cows associated with oxidant stress Y1 - 2004 SN - 1328-925X ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. A1 - Wirth, Kerstin A1 - Raila, Jens T1 - Characterization of the microheterogeneity of transthyretin in plasma and urine using SELDI-TOF-MS immunoassay Y1 - 2004 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Foreterre, Simone A1 - Raila, Jens A1 - Forterre, Franck A1 - Brunnberg, Leo A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. T1 - Characterisation of transthyretin and retinol-binding protein in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid of dogs Y1 - 2004 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. A1 - Raila, Jens A1 - Sehouli, Jalid A1 - Büscher, Ulrich T1 - Accumulation of Selected Carotenoids, alpha-tocopherol and Retinol in Human Ovarian Carcinoma Ascitic Fluid N2 - Background: Patients with severe forms of cancer are reported to have reduced concentrations of micronutrients in plasma due to the chronic reduction of food intake and an increased metabolism of these components. The purpose of this study was to evaluate if an accumulation of carotenoids, alpha-tocopherol and retinol in malignant ascitic fluid in women with ovarian cancer might contribute to a loss of these components from plasma. Methods: Blood and ascitic fluid samples obtained from 21 women with ovarian carcinomas and 17 healthy controls were analyzed for retinol, retinol- binding protein (RBP), alpha-tocopherol and carotenoids. Results: Plasma concentrations of all micronutrients were lower in cancer patients compared to controls. Ascitic fluid concentration of all investigated components was comparable (73- 110%) to plasma. While the mean concentration of retinol in malignant ascites represented 73% of that in plasma, the concentration of RBP was less than 10% resulting in an increased mean molar ratio of retinol to RBP from 1.18 to 10.5. Conclusions: The results suggest that lower plasma concentrations of micronutrients in women suffering from ovarian carcinoma are not only caused by a cachexia-induced decrease of food intake and a higher rate of metabolic utilization, but also by a substantial yet not considered transfer from plasma into ascitic fluid possibly associated with plasma lipoproteins. This raises questions with regard to the protective function of these plasma components in ascitic fluid, the consequences of paracentesis on an additional supplementation and finally the possibility to use one or a combination of these components as an additional marker to discriminate between benign and malignant ascites. Copyright (C) 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel Y1 - 2004 SN - 1421-9697 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Forterre, Simone A1 - Raila, Jens A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. T1 - Protein profiling of urine from dogs with renal disease using ProteinChip analysis N2 - Measurement of total urinary proteins in individuals that tested positive by urinary dipstick is a typical method for assessing the presence of potentially serious renal disorders. In the absence of such overt proteinuria, however, measurement of specific urinary proteins may be useful in the diagnosis of nephropathies and may provide greater insight into the pathogenesis. The urine of 28 dogs (16 with renal disease and 12 healthy) was evaluated to determine whether specific low-molecular-weight proteins or the pattern of protein excretion could also be used as a marker of tubular dysfunction in dogs. Specific proteins were assessed by immunological methods, whereas protein profiles were determined by surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MS). In particular, changes in the excretion of retinol-binding protein (RBP) and Tamm-Horsfall protein (THP) appear to be of clinical relevance in the diagnosis of canine kidney diseases. The pattern of urinary protein and peptides revealed specific changes in abundance in dogs with renal disease at molecular masses (kD) of 11.58, 12.41, 12.60, 14.58, 20.95 (RBP), 27.85, and 65.69 (albumin). In conclusion, comparable proteins as in humans might be used as urinary markers for proximal (RBP) and distal (THP) tubular dysfunction in dogs. Surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight MS is a promising tool for the study of kidney physiology and pathophysiology and might aid in the discovery of new biomarkers of renal disease Y1 - 2004 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. A1 - Bathe, Katharina A1 - Chen, Frank A1 - Büscher, Ulrich A1 - Dudenhausen, Joachim W. T1 - Effect of the stage of lactation in humans on carotenoid levels in milk, blood plasma and plasma lipoprotein fractions N2 - In mammals the composition of milk changes during early lactation, with a rapid decline of fat-soluble vitamins and a continuous increase in total lipids. The mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are not well understood, but might involve selective mechanisms related to mammary uptake or secretion into the milk. Since carotenoids are specifically distributed among the lipoprotein fractions in plasma, the simultaneous determination of carotenoids in plasma, lipoprotein fractions and milk might offer an opportunity to gain insight into this phenomenon. In 21 healthy mothers carotenoids in plasma and lipoprotein fractions were investigated at day 2 and 19 and milk on day 4 and 19 after delivery. Plasma levels of alpha-tocopherol and cholesterol as well as lutein, zeaxanthin and cryptoxanthin were significantly lower later in lactation (day 19) than shortly after birth (P < 0.01). The stage of lactation had no effect on the distribution of carotenoids and -tocopherol among the plasma lipoprotein fractions. In milk, triacylglycerol increased (P < 0.01). In contrast, levels of carotenoids, alpha- tocopherol and vitamin A were highest in colostrum and declined (P < 0.01). Because the magnitude of decrease was not the same in all carotenoids, the carotenoid pattern changed substantially. In colostrum the carotenoid pattern resembled those of plasma and the low- density lipoprotein fraction. In mature milk it was similar to the pattern found in the high density lipoprotein fraction. Based on these observations a selective mechanism might be responsible for the transfer of these components in milk involving different lipoprotein fractions at specific times of lactation Y1 - 2004 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Rühl, Ralph A1 - Garcia, Ada A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. A1 - Worm, Margitta T1 - Modulation of cytokine production by low and high retinoid diet in ovalbumin-sensitized mice N2 - Retinoids modulate many physiological processes such as the differentiation and growth of different cell types. including cells from the immune system. We have previously shown that retinoids modulate IgE production in vitro and in vivo. In the present study we investigated the effects of retinoids in non-sensitized and ovalbumin-sensitized mice that were fed for 11 weeks with three different vitamin A (VA) diets: a) VA-deficiency diet, b) base diet, and c) base diet supplemented with 0.5% all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA). Phorbol-myristate-acetate (PMA)/ionomycin-stimulated SMC (splenic mononuclear cells) from mice fed with ATRA and the vitamin A-deficient diet group showed increased interleukin-4 (IL-4) responses in non-sensitized mice. After ovalbumin sensitization in the VA-deficient and the ATRA supplementation diet groups, no significant effects on IL-4 production were observed. By contrast, gamma interferon (IFN-gamma production from PMA/ionomycin-stimulated SMC was enhanced in the VA-deficient diet group in ovalbumin-sensitized mice, and also in non-sensitized mice compared to the base and the ATRA-supplemented diet group. The data indicate that VA and retinoid content in a diet influences the cytokine response in non-sensitized and also ovalbumin-sensitized mice. Therefore these molecules may serve as active modulators of cytokine production in vivo that are responsible for the induction and persistence of atopic diseases Y1 - 2004 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Raila, Jens A1 - Stohrer, M. A1 - Forterre, Simone A1 - Stangassinger, M. A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. T1 - Effect of exercise on the mobilization of retinol and retinyl esters in plasma of sled dogs N2 - Fasting dogs do transport vitamin A (VA) in plasma not only as retinol but predominantly as retinyl esters. Contrary to retinol, nothing is known concerning the effects of athletic performance on plasma retinyl ester concentrations. The aim of this study was therefore to examine whether physical stress because of exercise and modification of the oxidative stress by supplementation of alpha-tocopherol influences the concentrations of retinol and retinyl esters in plasma of sled dogs. The study was carried out on 41 trained adult sled dogs, which were randomly assigned into two groups. One group (19 dogs) was daily substituted with 50 mg DL-alpha-tocopheryl acetate per kilogram body weight and the control group (22 dogs) was maintained on a basal diet during 3 months prior to exercise. The plasma concentrations of retinol, retinyl esters, alpha-tocopherol and triglycerides were measured immediately before, directly after and 24 h after exercise. The supplementation of alpha-tocopheryl acetate had no effect on plasma retinol and retinyl ester concentrations at any measurement time point. However, retinyl ester levels doubled in the non- supplemented group immediately after the race (p < 0.001), whereas in the supplemented group similar high levels were observed not until 24 h post-racing (p < 0.001). The high levels of retinyl esters were paralleled to some extent by an increase in plasma triglyceride concentrations, which were significantly higher 24 h post-racing than immediately before (p < 0.001) and after exercise (p < 0.001) in both groups. The increase in retinyl ester concentrations might be indicative of their mobilization from liver and adipose tissue. Whether plasma retinyl esters can be used as an indicator for the extent of nutrient mobilization during and post-exercise in sled dogs remains to be elucidated Y1 - 2004 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Gericke, Beate A1 - Koebnick, Corinna A1 - Reimann, Manja A1 - Forterre, Simone A1 - Zunft, Hans-Joachim Franz A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. T1 - Influence of hormone replacement therapy on proteomic pattern in serum of postmenopausal women N2 - Objectives: Proteomics approaches to cardiovascular biology and disease hold the promise of identifying specific proteins and peptides or modification thereof to assist in the identification of novel biomarkers. Method: By using surface-enhanced laser desorption and ionization time of flight mass spectroscopy (SELDI-TOF-MS) serum peptide and protein patterns were detected enabling to discriminate between postmenopausal women with and without hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Results: Serum of 13 HRT and 27 control subjects was analyzed and 42 peptides and proteins could be tentatively identified based on their molecular weight and binding characteristics on the chip surface. By using decision tree-based Biomarker Patterns (TM) Software classification and regression analysis a discriminatory function was developed allowing to distinguish between HRT women and controls correctly and, thus, yielding a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 100%. The results show that peptide and protein patterns have the potential to deliver novel biomarkers as well as pinpointing targets for improved treatment. The biomarkers obtained represent a promising tool to discriminate between HRT users and non-users. Conclusion: According to a tentative identification of the markers by their molecular weight and binding characteristics, most of them appear to be part of the inflammation induced acute-phase response. (c) 2004 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved Y1 - 2004 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Rühl, Ralph A1 - Sczech, Ronny A1 - Landes, Nico A1 - Pfluger, Paul Thomas A1 - Kluth, Dirk A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. T1 - Carotenoids and their metabolites are naturally occurring activators of gene expression via the pregnane X receptor N2 - Carotenoids are important micronutrients in the human diet and are present in human serum at micromolar concentrations. In addition to their antioxidant potential, carotenoids obtain physiologically relevant properties such as influencing cellular signal pathways, gene expression or induction of detoxifying enzymes. In this study, we determined the transactivation of PXR by cotransfection with the full-length receptor and a PXR-responsive reporter gene. Carotenoids and retinol revealed a 5-6-fold reporter gene activity in HepG2 cells in comparison to a 7-fold induction by the well known PXR agonist rifampicin whereas apo-carotenals and lycopene exerted less or no activation potential. The inductive efficacy was hereby concentration-dependent. In addition, carotenoid or retinol mediated gene expression of PXR responsive genes like CYP3A4/CYP3A7, CYP3A5, MDR-1 and MRP-2 has been determined in HepG2 cells by RT- PCR with upregulative properties of beta-carotene or retinol being comparable or even higher than that of rifampicin. In conclusion, PXR-mediated upregulation of CYP3A4/CYP3A7 and CYP3A5 as well as MDR1 and MRP2 by carotenoids points to a potential interference on the metabolism of xenobiotic and endogenous relevant compounds Y1 - 2004 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Raila, Jens A1 - Wirth, Kerstin A1 - Chen, Frank A1 - Büscer, Ulrich A1 - Dudenhausen, Joachim W. A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. T1 - Excretion of vitamin A in urine of women during Normal pregnancy and pregnancy complications N2 - Background/Aims: The renal function, including the excretion of low-molecular-weight proteins, changes during pregnancy and may cause a urinary excretion of retinol-binding protein (RBP). Whether it is accompanied by a substantial loss of vitamin A ( retinol) has not been established yet. We therefore determined the excretion of retinol and RBP in urine of pregnant women. Methods: The study involved analyses of urine samples from 40 healthy pregnant women and 29 women with pregnancy complications during the third trimester. Analyses of plasma and urine of 7 healthy women and 5 women with pregnancy complications were also carried out 6 weeks antepartum, at time of delivery and 1 week postpartum. Results: Urinary retinol was higher in women who suffered from pregnancy disorders with an influence on maternal metabolism ( p < 0.01). RBP was excreted at substantial concentrations in the urine of all 69 women, but there were no differences between the groups. Women with a concomitant excretion of retinol had higher levels of urinary RBP than those without a retinol excretion ( p < 0.05). Differences in plasma retinol and RBP were not significant. Conclusion: The excretion of urinary retinol may increase significantly during pregnancy complications, which needs further clarification to which extent this condition may negatively affect the vitamin A status in such women. Copyright (C) 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel Y1 - 2004 SN - 0250-6807 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Rühl, Ralph A1 - Hamscher, Gerd A1 - Garcia, Ada A1 - Nau, Heinz A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. T1 - Identification of 14-hydroxy-retro-retinol and 4-hydroxy-retinol as endogenous retinoids in rats throughout neonatal development N2 - 14-Hydroxy-retro-retinol was previously described as an in vivo and in vitro metabolite of retinol. Furthermore, the retinoid 4-hydroxy-retinol was identified as an endogenous occurring retinoid in the amphibian organism and an in vitro metabolite of retinol. We describe in the present study that 14-hydroxy-retro-retinol and 4-hydroxy- retinol are present in normal neonatal rat serum as endogenous occurring retinoids in normal non-vitamin A supplemented mammals (rats). Both retinoids were detected in serum and liver of neonatal rats at days 3 and 11 after birth. The respective concentrations at day 11 after birth were 41.8 +/- 2.8 ng/ml (serum)/ 104 +/- 6 ng/g (liver) for 4-hydroxy- retinol and 23 +/- 4.6 ng/ml (serum)/ 285 +/- 5 ng/g (liver) for 14-hydroxy-retro-retinol. Both retinoids could not be detected in adult rat serum and liver. From our experiments important physiological functions of these retinoids during postnatal development could be postulated. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved Y1 - 2004 SN - 0024-3205 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Raila, Jens A1 - Forterre, Simone A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. T1 - Die Bedeutung von Megalin in der Pathogenese der tubulären Proteinurie des Hundes Y1 - 2003 SN - 3-936815-65-8 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Raila, Jens A1 - Neumann, U. A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. T1 - Immunochemical Localization of Megalin, Retinol-binding protein and Tamm-Horsfall Glycoprotein in the Kidneys of Dogs Y1 - 2003 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. A1 - Krieger, K. A1 - Schnurrbusch, D. A1 - Schams, D. A1 - Gropp, J. T1 - Effect of dietary ß-carotene on the early embryonic development and uterine fluid composition of gilts Y1 - 2003 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Garcia, Ada A1 - Rühl, Ralph A1 - Herz, U. A1 - Koebnick, Corinna A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. A1 - Worm, Margitta T1 - Retinoid- and carotenoid-enriched diets influence the ontogenesis of the immune system in mice Y1 - 2003 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Raila, Jens A1 - Forterre, Simone A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. T1 - Levels of retinol and retinyl esters in plasma and urine of dogs with urolithiasis Y1 - 2003 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. T1 - Research note : Changes in the concentration of beta-carotene, alpha-tocopherol and retinol in the bovine corpus luteum during the ovarian cycle Y1 - 2003 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. T1 - Carotinoide Y1 - 2003 SN - 3-86022- 555-3 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. A1 - Klinger, Jeannine A1 - Hurtienne, Andrea A1 - Zunft, Hans-Joachim Franz T1 - Vitamin A, carotenoid and vitamin E plasma concentrations in children from Laos in relation to sex and growth failure Y1 - 2003 UR - http://www.nutritionj.com/content/2/1/17 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. A1 - Gericke, Beate A1 - Mothes, Ralf T1 - Lebensmittelanalytik mittels SELDI-TOF-MS Y1 - 2003 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. T1 - Concentrations of carotenoids, retinol and alpha-tocopherol in plasma and follicular fluid of women undergoing IVF Y1 - 2003 SN - 1268-1161 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Rühl, Ralph A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. T1 - Automated solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatographic method for retinoid determination in biological samples N2 - In this study, a method for partly automated sample preparation and fully automated solid-phase extraction method for plasma, kidney and liver samples for various retinoids like all-trans-4-oxo-retinoic acid, 13-cis-4-oxo- retinoic acid, 13-cis-retinoic acid, 9-cis-retinoic acid, all-trans-retinoic acid, retinol and retinyl palmitate was established. Plasma, embryo-, kidney-and liver-homogenates were automatically mixed and extracted on multiple usage solid-phase (C2) extraction cartridges immediately before HPLC analysis. Automated cleaning, preconditioning and incorporation of the loaded cartridge to fully automated HPLC separation and quantification of the various retinoids in a single HPLC run was established. The recovery of the retinoids was generally between 80 and 90%. Intra-day repeatability was <11.7%. As little as 1.2 ng/ml could be quantified in lipid-mixture standard samples. This method allows a highly automated sample preparation and a fully automated solid-phase extraction with good selectivity for the study of endogenous retinoids and retinoids after nutritional supplementations and pharmacological applications in several biological samples. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved Y1 - 2003 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Kwanbunjan, Karunee A1 - Panprathip, Pornpimol A1 - Phosat, Chanchira A1 - Chumpathat, Noppanath A1 - Wechjakwen, Naruemon A1 - Puduang, Somchai A1 - Auyyuenyong, Ratchada A1 - Henkel, Ina A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. T1 - Association of retinol binding protein 4 and transthyretin with triglyceride levels and insulin resistance in rural thais with high type 2 diabetes risk JF - BMC Endocrine Disorders N2 - Background: Retinol binding protein 4 (RBP4), a protein secreted by adipocytes and bound in plasma to transthyretin (TTR), has been associated with obesity, the early phase of insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The objective of this study was to elucidate the relationship between RBP4, TTR, triglyceride (TG) and type 2 diabetes risk in rural Thailand. Results: RBP4 and TTR levels, as well as homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) values, were significantly elevated among subjects with high triglyceride levels (p < 0.01, p < 0.05, p < 0.05, respectively). Triglyceride levels correlated with RBP4 (r = 0.34, p < 0.001) and TTR (r= 0.26, p < 0.01) levels, as well as HOMA-IR values (r= 0.16, p < 0.05). After adjustment for age and gender, the risk of hypertriglyceridemia was 3.7 times greater (95% Cl =1.42 -9.73, p = 0.008) in the highest RBP4 tertile as compared to the lowest tertile. Similarly, the highest TTR and HOMA-IR tertiles had greater risk of hypertriglyceridemia at 3.5 (95% Cl = 1.30-9.20, p = 0.01) and 3.6 (95% CI = 1.33- 9.58, p = 0.01) times higher than the respective lowest tertiles. The correlation between TTR and blood glucose was statistically significant (r 0.18, p < 0.05), but not found this relationship in RBP4. Conclusions: The associations of RBP4 and TTR with hypertriglyceridemia and insulin resistance may have important implications for the risk of heart disease and stroke. KW - RBP4 KW - TTR KW - HOMA-IR KW - Hypertriglyceridemia KW - Type 2 diabetes Y1 - 2018 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1186/s12902-018-0254-2 SN - 1472-6823 VL - 18 PB - BMC CY - London ER - TY - GEN A1 - Jamnok, Jutatip A1 - Sanchaisuriya, Kanokwan A1 - Yamsri, Supawadee A1 - Fucharoen, Goonnapa A1 - Fucharoen, Supan A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. A1 - Sanchaisuriya, Pattara T1 - Application of a new portable nephelometer for screening thalassemia in countries with limited resources T2 - International journal of laboratory hematology N2 - One-tube osmotic fragility (OF) test is a rapid test used widely for screening thalassemia in countries with limited resources. The test has important limitation in that its accuracy relies on observers’ experience. The iCheck Turbidity is a prototype of portable nephelometer developed by BioAnalyt (Bioanalyt GmbH, Germany). In this study, we assessed the applicability of the iCheck Turbidity, for checking turbidity of the OF-test Y1 - 2018 SN - 1751-5521 SN - 1751-553X VL - 40 SP - 62 EP - 62 PB - Wiley CY - Hoboken ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Islam, Khan M. S. A1 - Khalil, Mahmoud Abd Elhamid A1 - Maenner, Klaus A1 - Raila, Jens A1 - Rawel, Harshadrai Manilal A1 - Zentek, Jürgen A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. T1 - Lutein Specific Relationships among Some Spectrophotometric and Colorimetric Parameters of Chicken Egg Yolk JF - The journal of poultry science N2 - Lutein is an essential dietary carotenoid with health benefits and is inter alia responsible for the colouration of egg yolk. The relationship between lutein accumulation and egg yolk colouration was therefore studied in more detail. After feeding a low-luteine diet for 21 days, 14 birds (Lohmann brown hens aged 20 weeks) were fed a diet containing marigold (80 mg lutein/kg feed) and 14 other birds were fed a diet containing oleoresin (45 mg lutein/kg feed) for 21 days; for both groups of birds, this feeding period was followed by withdrawal for 21 days. The Roche Yolk Colour Fan (RYCF) score (0 to 15, where higher values denote greater colour intensity; R-2=0.87; P<0.01) and redness (R-2=0.89; P<0.01) increased with increasing lutein content of egg yolk. Total carotenoid content had a poor relationship with lightness (R-2=0.13; P>0.05) and yellowness (R-2=0.12; P>0.05) of the yolk. It may be concluded that increased lutein is potentially responsible for an increased RYCF score and redness (a*), but decreased yellowness (b*) and lightness (L*), of egg yolk. KW - carotenoid KW - HPLC KW - iCheck KW - lutein KW - spectrophotometry KW - yolk Y1 - 2017 U6 - https://doi.org/10.2141/jpsa.0160065 SN - 1346-7395 VL - 54 SP - 271 EP - 277 PB - Japan Poultry Science Association CY - Tsukuba ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Fruscalzo, Arrigo A1 - Frommer, Julia-Marie A1 - Londero, Ambrogio P. A1 - Henze, Andrea A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. A1 - Nofer, Jerzy-Roch A1 - Steinhard, Johannes A1 - Klockenbusch, Walter A1 - Schmitz, Ralf A1 - Raila, Jens T1 - First trimester TTR-RBP4-ROH complex and angiogenic factors in the prediction of small for gestational age infant’s outcome JF - Archives of gynecology and obstetrics N2 - To study the role of the TTR-RBP4-ROH complex components (transthyretin, serum retinol binding protein, retinol) and of angiogenic factors PlGF (placental growth factor) and sFlt-1 (soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1) in pregnancies complicated by small for gestational age infants (SGA). Case control study conducted on maternal serum collected between 11 + 0 to 13 + 6 weeks of gestation. TTR, RBP4, ROH, PlGF and sFlt-1 were measured in SGA patients (birth weight < 10%) who delivered at term (n = 37) and before 37 weeks of gestation (n = 17) and in a matched control group with uneventful pregnancies (n = 37). We found decreased RBP4 in SGA patients that delivered fetuses < 3% and in fetuses delivered after the 37 weeks of gestation compared to controls [1.50 (95% CI 1.40-1.75) vs 1.62 (95% CI 1.47-1.98), p < 0.05]. Further, we found lower PlGF and sFlt-1 concentrations in SGA that delivered before 37 weeks of gestation compared to controls (respectively, PIGF and sFlt-1: 39.7 pg/ml (95% CI 32.3-66.3) vs 62.9 pg/ml (95% CI 45.2-78.4) and 906 pg/ml (95% CI 727-1626) vs 1610 pg/ml (95% CI 1088-212), p < 0.05). First trimester maternal serum RBP4 and angiogenic factors PlGF and sFlt-1 can differently predict the timing of delivery of pregnancies complicated by SGA fetuses. KW - Low birth weight KW - Small for gestational age KW - Pregnancy KW - First trimester KW - Marker KW - RBP4 KW - TTR KW - Retinol KW - Vitamin A KW - sFlt-1 KW - PlGF Y1 - 2017 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-017-4338-4 SN - 0932-0067 SN - 1432-0711 VL - 295 SP - 1157 EP - 1165 PB - Springer CY - Heidelberg ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. A1 - Baumane, Anita A1 - Buchholz, Ingeborg A1 - Schoon, Heinz-Adolf T1 - ß-Carotene accumulation in lung tissue of rats fed different types of fat Y1 - 1998 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Espe, Katharina M. A1 - Raila, Jens A1 - Henze, Andrea A1 - Blouin, Katja A1 - Schneider, Andreas A1 - Schmiedeke, Daniel A1 - Krane, Vera A1 - Pilz, Stefan A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. A1 - Hocher, Berthold A1 - Wanner, Christoph A1 - Drechsler, Christiane T1 - Low plasma alpha-tocopherol concentrations and adverse clinical outcomes in diabetic hemodialysis patients JF - Clinical journal of the American Society of Nephrology N2 - Background and objectives Trials with the antioxidant vitamin E have failed to show benefit in the general population. Considering the different causes of death in ESRD, this study investigated the association between plasma concentrations of alpha-tocopherol and specific clinical outcomes in diabetic hemodialysis patients. Design, settings, participants, & measurements In 1046 diabetic hemodialysis patients (participants of the German Diabetes and Dialysis Study), alpha-tocopherol was measured in plasma by reversed-phase HPLC. By Cox regression analyses, hazard ratios were determined for prespecified end points according to baseline plasma alpha-tocopherol levels: sudden death (n=134), myocardial infarction (n=172), stroke (n=89), combined cardiovascular events (n=398), fatal infection (n=107), and all-cause mortality (n=508). Results Patients had a mean age of 66 8 years, and mean plasma alpha-tocopherol level was 22.8+/-9.6 mu mol/L. Levels of alpha-tocopherol were highly correlated to triglycerides (r=0.63, P<0.001). Patients in the lowest alpha-tocopherol quartile had (in unadjusted analyses) a 79% higher risk of stroke and a 31% higher risk of all-cause mortality compared with patients in the highest quartile. The associations were attenuated after adjustment for confounders (hazard ratio(stroke)=1.56, 95% confidence interval=0.75-3.25; hazard ratio(mortality)=1.22, 95% confidence interval=0.89-1.69, respectively). There was no association between alpha-tocopherol and myocardial infarction, sudden death, or infectious death. Conclusions Plasma alpha-tocopherol concentrations were not independently associated with cardiovascular outcomes, infectious deaths, or all-cause mortality in diabetic hemodialysis patients. The lack of association can partly be explained by a confounding influence of malnutrition, which should be considered in the planning of trials to reduce cardiovascular risk in dialysis patients. Y1 - 2013 U6 - https://doi.org/10.2215/CJN.04880511 SN - 1555-9041 VL - 8 IS - 3 SP - 452 EP - 458 PB - American Society of Nephrology CY - Washington ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Nagl, Britta A1 - Loui, Andrea A1 - Raila, Jens A1 - Felderhoff-Mueser, Ursula A1 - Obladen, Michael A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. T1 - Urinary vitamin A excretion in very low birth weight infants N2 - Vitamin A (VA) deficiency in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants is associated with an increased risk for disorders related to kidney and lung maturation and function. VA losses through increased urinary retinol (ROH) excretion might contribute to this deficiency risk. The mechanism accounting for ROH loss in the urine has not yet been clarified. The aim of this study was to assess the excretion of ROH, retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) and transthyretin (TTR) in urine from VLBW infants in comparison with that in term infants in relation to kidney function. Urine specimens were collected from 15 VLBW infants (birth weight < 1,500 g) as well as from 20 term infants during the first 2 days after birth. ROH in urine was detectable in 14 of the 15 VLBW infants at a median concentration of 234 nmol/g creatinine. In the group of term infants, 17 of the 20 excreted ROH, but at an approximately five-times lower concentration (P<0.001). Excretion of RBP4 and TTR was also much higher in VLBW infants (both P<0.001). The urinary ROH excretion in VLBW infants may be related to the impaired tubular handling of its carrier proteins RBP4 and TTR. Thus, ROH excretion might contribute to an increased risk of VA deficiency, especially in VLBW infants. Y1 - 2009 UR - http://www.springerlink.com/content/100382 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1007/s00467-008-0965-0 SN - 0931-041X ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Funkeu, A. D. M. A1 - Gouado, I. A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. A1 - Tchounguep, F. T1 - Serum response to a single dose of dietary carotenoids from steamed, fried and steam-dried squashes pulp (Cucurbita spp) T2 - Annals of nutrition & metabolism : journal of nutrition, metabolic diseases and dietetics ; an official journal of International Union of Nutritional Sciences (IUNS) KW - Squashes pulp KW - steamed KW - fried KW - steam-dried KW - carotenoids bioavailability Y1 - 2013 SN - 0250-6807 SN - 1421-9697 VL - 63 IS - 3 SP - 1501 EP - 1501 PB - Karger CY - Basel ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Frey, Simone K. A1 - Henze, Andrea A1 - Nagl, Britta A1 - Raila, Jens A1 - Scholze, Alexandra A1 - Tepel, Martin A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. A1 - Zidek, Walter T1 - Effect of renal replacement therapy on retinol-binding protein 4 isoforms N2 - Background: Retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) levels are elevated in the serum of patients with kidney dysfunction. We recently showed that RBP4 isoforms including apo-RBP4 (RBP4 not bound to retinol) and RBP4 truncated at the C-terminus (RBP4-L, RBP4-LL) are increased in the serum of patients with kidney diseases but not in serum of patients with various liver diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of renal replacement therapy on RBP4 isoforms. Methods: We investigated serum levels of RBP4, apo-RBP4, holo-RBP4, RBP4-L, RBP4-LL, retinol and transthyretin (TTR) in 18 hemodialysis (HD) patients, 30 patients after renal transplantation (RTx) and in 35 healthy controls. RBP4 and TTR levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, apo- and holo-RBP4 by native electrophoresis, retinol by high performance liquid chromatography and RBP4-L and RBP4-LL were analyzed by mass spectrometry. Results: HD and RTx patients had elevated RBP4, apo-RBP4 and RBP4-LL levels compared to controls. RTx patients had elevated amounts of RBP4-L compared to controls and elevated RBP4 and apo-RBP4 levels compared to HD patients. Conclusion: The results demonstrate a strong correlation between kidney function and RBP4 isoforms and provide data for investigating the relation of RBP4 and insulin resistance in these patients. Y1 - 2009 UR - http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/00098981 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cca.2008.11.008 SN - 0009-8981 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Frey, Simone K. A1 - Spranger, Joachim A1 - Henze, Andrea A1 - Pfeiffer, Andreas F. H. A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. A1 - Raila, Jens T1 - Factors that influence retinol-binding protein 4-transthyretin interaction are not altered in overweight subjects and overweight subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus N2 - Retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) is an adipokine bound in plasma to transthyretin (TTR), which prevents its glomerular filtration and subsequent catabolism in the kidney. Alterations of this interaction have been Suggested to be implicated in the elevation of RBP4 that are thought to contribute to the development Of insulin resistance associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, the factors linking RBP4 to TTR in humans are not clear. Therefore, this Study evaluated parameters influencing the RBP4-TTR interaction and their relation to obesity and T2DM. The RBP4 and TTR levels were quantified in plasma of 16 lean controls, 28 overweight controls, and 14 overweight T2DM patients by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Transthyretin isoforms involved in RBP4 binding were determined by linear matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry after RBP4 coimmunoprecipitation. Holo-RBP4 (retinol-bound) and apo-RBP4 (retinol-free) were assessed by immunoblotting using nondenaturating polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Plasma levels of both RBP4 and TTR did not differ among the groups of lean controls, overweight controls, and overweight T2DM subjects. Using RBP4 immunoprecipitation, 4 mass signals were observed for TTR representing native, S-cysteinylated, S-cysteinglycinylated, and S-glutathionylated TTR. No differences in peak intensity of TTR isoforms were observed among the groups. Moreover, no differences in the ratio of holo- and apo-RBP4 were evident. The results suggest that circulating RBP4 and TTR were not affected by human obesity or T2DM, which might be attributed to the absence of alterations of TTR isoforms and the ratio of holo- and apo-RBP4 that might modify the TTR-RBP4 interaction. Y1 - 2009 UR - http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/00260495 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.metabol.2009.05.003 SN - 0026-0495 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. A1 - Krieger, K. T1 - Effect of ß-carotene feeding on vitamin A and retinol-binding protein in the uterine fluid of pigs Y1 - 1997 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. A1 - Raila, Jens A1 - Eisenach, C. A1 - Buchholz, Ingeborg T1 - Distribution of vitamin A and retinol-binding-protein (RBP) in plasma, urine and various tissues of canines Y1 - 1997 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Fritzsche, Britta A1 - Schuchardt, Jan-Philipp A1 - Schmidt, Anja A1 - Nau, Heinz A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. A1 - Ruehl, Ralph T1 - CYP26A1-specific antagonist influence on embryonic implantation, gene expression and endogenous retinoid concentration in rats N2 - Retinoids are essential in vertebrate reproduction and embryonic development. All-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) is tightly regulated during these processes. CYP26A1 is mainly responsible for its degradation. To study the role of CYP26A1 during implantation, we applied R115866, a CYP26A1-specific antagonist, to rats during early gestation days (GD). On GD 6.5 and 12 samples were collected and the number of embryos was evaluated. ATRA concentration increased in uterus and serum, mRNA expression of CYP26A1 and CRABP2 increased in the liver, but not in the uterus. Uterine COX1 and 17 beta HSD mRNA expression was decreased. The number of embryos on GD 12 was not altered in this setting. It can be concluded that uterine expression of the analyzed retinoid-response genes during early gestation is not altered by this R115866 treatment and instead indirectly via ATRA. From our experiment we cannot confirm that ATRA obtains a major influencing role in the regulation of embryonic implantation. Y1 - 2010 UR - http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/08906238 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.reprotox.2010.05.005 SN - 0890-6238 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Carlsohn, Anja A1 - Rohn, Sascha A1 - Mayer, Frank A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. T1 - Physical activity, antioxidant status, and protein modification in adolescent athletes N2 - Exercise may increase reactive oxygen species production, which might impair cell integrity and contractile function of muscle cells. However, little is known about the effect of regular exercise on the antioxidant status of adolescents. Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of exercise on the antioxidant status and protein modifications in adolescent athletes. Methods: In 90 athletes and 18 controls (16 +/- 2 yr), exercise-related energy expenditure was calculated on the basis of a 7-d activity protocol. Antioxidant intake and plasma concentrations of alpha-tocopherol, carotenoids, and uric acid were analyzed. Plasma antioxidant activity was determined by Trolox equivalent (TE) antioxidant capacity and electron spin resonance spectrometry. Protein modifications were assessed with structural changes of transthyretin using a matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA and post hoc by the Tukey-Kramer test (alpha = 0.05). Results: Antioxidant intake correlated with energy intake and was within the recommended daily allowance for vitamins C and E and beta-carotene. Plasma levels of neither nutritional antioxidants nor uric acid differed between the groups. TE antioxidant capacity was higher in athletes (men = 1.47 perpendicular to 0.2 mmol TE per liter, women = 1.45 perpendicular to 0.2 mmol TE per liter) compared with controls (men = 1.17 +/- 0.04 mmol TE per liter, women = 1.14 +/- 0.04 mmol TE per liter) and increased with exercise-related energy expenditure (P = 0.007). Transthyretin cysteinylation rate differed between the groups, with the highest rate of protein modifications in moderately active subjects (P = 0.007). Conclusions: Results suggest that if the nutritional choice of athletes is well balanced, enough antioxidants are provided to meet recommended amounts. Moreover, regular exercise increases blood antioxidant capacity in young athletes, whereas chronic exercise was not shown to promote protein modifications. Thus, in young athletes who are sufficiently supplied with antioxidants, beneficial effects of exercise on antioxidant status rather than on oxidative stress may be anticipated. Y1 - 2010 UR - http://www.ms-se.com/ U6 - https://doi.org/10.1249/Mss.0b013e3181c74f7b SN - 0195-9131 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Klein, Julia A1 - Darvin, Maxim E. A1 - Meinke, Martina C. A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. A1 - Müller, Kerstin E. A1 - Lademann, Jürgen T1 - Analyses of the correlation between dermal and blood carotenoids in female cattle by optical methods JF - Journal of biomedical optics N2 - Herd health programs for the maintenance of welfare and productivity in cattle need efficient tools for monitoring the health of individual animals. Recent reports demonstrate that the oxidative status is related to various stress conditions in dairy cows. Biomarkers, among other carotenoids, could serve as indicators of stress originating from the environment (e.g., heat stress or sun radiation) or from the animal itself (e.g., disease). To date, only invasive in vitro tests are available to assess the oxidative status in cattle. The present study compares the results of optical noninvasive in vivo measurements of dermal carotenoids in cattle udder skin using an LED-based miniaturized spectroscopic system (MSS) with those obtained by photometric analysis of beta carotene in whole blood samples using a portable device. Correlations between the concentrations of dermal and blood carotenoids were calculated under consideration of the nutritional status of the animals. Significant correlation (R = 0.86) was found for cattle with a moderate to obese body condition. Thus, the blood and skin concentrations of the marker substance beta carotene are comparable under stable stress conditions of the cattle. This demonstrates that the MSS is suitable for noninvasive assessment of dermal carotenoid concentrations in cattle. KW - Raman spectroscopy KW - reflection spectroscopy KW - skin KW - antioxidants KW - free radicals Y1 - 2013 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1117/1.JBO.18.6.061219 SN - 1083-3668 VL - 18 IS - 6 PB - SPIE CY - Bellingham ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Kawashima, Chiho A1 - Kida, Katsuya A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. A1 - Miyamoto, Akio T1 - Relationship between plasma beta-carotene concentrations during the peripartum period and ovulation in the first follicular wave postpartum in dairy cows N2 - beta-Carotene functions independently of vitamin A in the reproductive performance of dairy cows. The concentrations of beta-carotene in plasma decrease during the dry period, and reach a nadir in about the first week postpartum. This coincides with a negative energy balance, which affects the onset of the first ovulation in early postpartum cows. Thus, we hypothesised that plasma beta-carotene concentrations during the peripartum period may affect ovulation in the first follicular wave postpartum in dairy cows. The aim of the present study was to investigate changes in the profiles of plasma beta-carotene concentrations during the peripartum period in ovulatory and anovulatory cows during the first follicular wave postpartum. We used 22 multiparous Holstein cows, which were fed a total mixed ration consisting of grass, corn silage and concentrate, and collected blood samples for beta-carotene and progesterone analysis from week 3 prepartum to week 3 postpartum when the period of day 0-6 after parturition was regarded as the parturient week (week 0). The first ovulation was confirmed using the profile of plasma progesterone concentrations and colour Doppler ultrasound. Thirteen cows ovulated during the first postpartum follicular wave. Parity, the dry-off period, calving interval, mastitis episodes, and actual 305 days' milk yield during the previous lactation, and milk composition in the last month during the previous lactation in this study did not differ between ovulatory and anovulatory cows. Differences in the plasma beta-carotene profile were observed between ovulatory and anovulatory cows. Plasma P-carotene concentrations at week 3 prepartum were greater in ovulatory cows (2.97 +/- 0.24mg/L) than in anovulatory cows (1.53 +/- 0.14mg/L; P < 0.001), after that its concentrations in ovulatory cows decreased and reached the lowest level at week I postpartum, although its concentrations in anovulatory cows remained unchanged. No differences in plasma P-carotene concentrations between the two groups were observed postpartum. The present study indicates for the first time that the lower P-carotene concentrations in plasma during the prepartum period is associated with anovulation during the first follicular wave postpartum. Y1 - 2009 UR - http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/03784320 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2008.02.008 SN - 0378-4320 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Gebhardt, Constance A1 - Hirschberger, Johannes A1 - Rau, Stefanie A1 - Arndt, Gisela A1 - Krainer, Karen A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. A1 - Brunnberg, Leo A1 - Kaspers, Bernd A1 - Kohn, Barbara T1 - Use of C-reactive protein to predict outcome in dogs with systemic inflammatory response syndrome or sepsis N2 - Background There is a high mortality rate in patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) or sepsis. Therefore, an early diagnosis and prognostic assessment is important for optimal therapeutic intervention. The objective of the study was to evaluate if baseline values and changes in serum C-reactive protein (CRP) might predict survival in dogs with SIRS and sepsis. Design Prospective study; July 2004 to July 2005. Setting Small Animal Clinic, Berlin, Clinic of Small Animal Medicine, Munich. Animals Sixty-one dogs. Measurements and Main Results For the CRP analysis blood was drawn on day 0, 1, and 2; CRP was measured using a commercial ELISA test kit. Thirteen dogs suffered from nonseptic SIRS and 48 dogs from sepsis. The 14-day survival rate was 61% (69% nonseptic SIRS, 58% sepsis). Serum CRP was higher in sick dogs compared with controls (P < 0.001). Over the 3-day period surviving dogs (n=31) displayed a significantly greater decrease in CRP than nonsurvivors (n=10) (P=0.001). No correlation was found between the initial CRP concentrations and the survival rate. The changes in CRP corresponded to the survival rate (P=0.01). Conclusion There was no significant relationship between the survival rate in dogs with nonseptic SIRS or sepsis and the initial serum CRP concentrations. There was a correlation between decreasing CRP concentrations and recovery from disease. However, the changes in CRP concentrations over a 3-day period correctly predicted survival in 94% of dogs and death in 30% of the dogs (false positive rate 22%). Y1 - 2009 UR - http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/issn?DESCRIPTOR=PRINTISSN&VALUE=1479-3261 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1476-4431.2009.00462.x SN - 1479-3261 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Griebsch, Christine A1 - Arndt, Gisela A1 - Raila, Jens A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. A1 - Kohn, Barbara T1 - C-reactive protein concentration in dogs with primary immune-mediated hemolytic anemia N2 - Background Canine primary immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) is associated with a high-mortality rate. C- reactive protein (CRP) is the most important acute-phase protein in dogs and may have value as a marker of prognosis or response to treatment in IMHA. Objective The objectives of this study were to evaluate serum CRP concentration in dogs with primary IMHA at presentation and during treatment, to assess potential differences based on survival time, and to compare CRP with other laboratory parameters of inflammation and prognosis. Methods Inclusion criteria for primary IMHA were anemia (PCV < 0.30 L/L), a positive Coombs' test or persistent autoagglutination of erythrocytes, and the exclusion of underlying diseases by other diagnostic tests. Dogs were divided into 2 groups based on survival: dogs that were still alive 14 days after start of treatment (group 1) and dogs that died or were euthanized before day 14 (group 2). Serum CRP concentration, a CBC, and a biochemistry profile were performed on days 0, 3, 8, and 14. Serum CRP also was determined in 25 clinically healthy dogs. Results CRP concentration in the 25 clinically healthy dogs ranged from 0- 8.9 mu g/mL (median 2.2 mu g/mL). Thirty dogs were diagnosed with primary IMHA, 24 in group 1 and 6 in group 2. On day 0, CRP concentration in dogs in both groups (median 224 mu g/mL) was increased above the reference interval. In group 1 dogs, median CRP concentration was 242 mu g/mL on day 0, 69 mu g/mL on day 3, 35 mu g/mL on day 8, and 2 mu g/mL on day 14. In group 2 dogs, median CRP concentration was 194 mu g/mL on day 0, 119 mu g/mL on day 3, and 41 mu g/mL on day 8; only 1 dog in group 2 survived to day 8. There was a significant correlation between CRP and total WBC concentrations on days 0 and 3 (r=-.598, P=.003). Conclusions Serum CRP concentration was markedly increased in dogs with primary IMHA. CRP concentration did not differ based on patient survival, but might be a marker for long-term monitoring of these patients. Y1 - 2009 UR - http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/issn?DESCRIPTOR=PRINTISSN&VALUE=0275-6382 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1939-165X.2009.00146.x SN - 0275-6382 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Henze, Andrea A1 - Raila, Jens A1 - Scholze, Alexandra A1 - Zidek, Walter A1 - Tepel, Martin A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. T1 - Does N-Acetylcysteine modulate post-translational modifications of transthyretin in hemodialysis patients? JF - Antioxidants & redox signaling N2 - It is assumed that effects of the thiol antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) are mediated by interaction with protein-associated cysteine residues, however, information on protein level in vivo are missing. Therefore, we analyzed NAC-induced modifications of the protein transthyretin (TTR) in plasma of hemodialysis patients in a randomized, placebo-controlled study. TTR was selected due to its low molecular weight and the free cysteine residue in the polypeptide chain, which is known to be extensively modified by formation of mixed disulfides. The intravenous application of NAC during a hemodialysis session resulted in a substantial increase of native TTR from median 15% (range 8.8%-30%) to median 40% (37-50) and reduction of S-cysteinylated TTR [51% (44-60) vs. 6.6% (2.4-10)]. Additionally the pronounced formation of a TTR-NAC adduct was detected. However, all these modifications seemed to be reversible. Additionally, in vitro incubation of plasma with NAC confirmed the in vivo results and indicated that changes in post-translational modification pattern of TTR were a function of NAC concentration. Based on these observations and the essential metabolic and biochemical role of protein-associated cysteine residues we hypothesize that the interaction of NAC with proteins may explain altered protein functions due to modification of cysteine residues. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 19, 1166-1172. Y1 - 2013 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1089/ars.2012.5125 SN - 1523-0864 VL - 19 IS - 11 SP - 1166 EP - 1172 PB - Liebert CY - New Rochelle ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. T1 - Vitamin A: Stoffwechsel, Genexpession und embryonale Entwicklung Y1 - 1998 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. A1 - Buchholz, Ingeborg A1 - Bonitz, K. T1 - Effect of age on the levels of retinol and retinyl ester in blood plasma, liver and kidney of dogs Y1 - 1998 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Weiß, E. A1 - Buchholz, Ingeborg A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. T1 - Veränderungen in der Plasmakonzentration von Vitamin A, Vitamin E und beta-Karotin bei Polytraumatisierten und Patienten mit Orteitis in Abhängigkeit vom Krankheitsverlauf Y1 - 1998 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. T1 - Metabolism of carotenoids in mammals Y1 - 1998 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. A1 - Raila, Jens A1 - Haebel, Sophie T1 - Vitamin A excreted in the urine of canines is associated with a Tamm-Horsfall-like Glycoprotein Y1 - 1998 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Raila, Jens A1 - Bok, V. A1 - Buchholz, Ingeborg A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. T1 - Untersuchungen zum Vitamin-A-Stoffwechsel der Niere des Hundes Y1 - 1997 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Raila, Jens A1 - Eisenach, C. A1 - Buchholz, Ingeborg A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. T1 - Verteilung von Vitamin A und Retinol-Bindungs-Protein (RBP) in verschiedenen Geweben von Caniden Y1 - 1997 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Baumane, Anita A1 - Wahren, M. A1 - Gürtler, H. A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. T1 - Einfluß einer Eisenapplikation auf den Gehalt an Vitamin A, E und C im Plasma von Ferkeln Y1 - 1997 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Kerti, A. A1 - Baumane, Anita A1 - Buchholz, Ingeborg A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. T1 - Untersuchungen zur Verteilung von Vitamin A im Reproduktionstrakt der Wachtel, Coturnix coturnix japonica Y1 - 1997 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Raila, Jens A1 - Eisenach, C. A1 - Buchholz, Ingeborg A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. T1 - Distribution of vitamin A and retinol-binding-protein (RBP) in various tissue of dogs and reccoon dogs Y1 - 1997 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Raila, Jens A1 - Buchholz, Ingeborg A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. T1 - Untersuchungen zur Vitamin-A-Bindung im Harn von Hunden Y1 - 1997 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Siegling, Christiane A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. T1 - Die Verteilung von Vitamin A und Retinol-Bindungs-Protein im Reproduktionstrakt der Sau und im Schweineembryo Y1 - 1997 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Baumane, Anita A1 - Buchholz, Ingeborg A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. T1 - Einfluss unterschiedlicher Fette auf die Akkumulation von ß-Carotin bei der Ratte Y1 - 1997 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Raila, Jens A1 - Bok, V. A1 - Buchholz, Ingeborg A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. T1 - Investigations on the excretion of vitamin A as retinol and retinyl esters bound to a high molecular complex Y1 - 1997 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Bok, V. A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. T1 - Untersuchungen zum Einfluß unterschiedlicher Vitamin A-Gehalte im Futter auf die Konzentration von Vitamin A im Plasma und die Ausscheidungen von Vitamin A über den Harn von Hunden Y1 - 1997 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Bobbert, Thomas A1 - Raila, Jens A1 - Schwarz, Franziska A1 - Mai, Knut A1 - Henze, Andrea A1 - Pfeiffer, Andreas F. H. A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. A1 - Spranger, Joachim T1 - Relation between retinol, retinol-binding protein 4, transthyretin and carotid intima media thickness N2 - Objective: Retinol is transported in a complex with retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) and transthyretin (TTR) in the circulation. While retinol is associated with various cardiovascular risk factors, the relation between retinol, RBP4, TTR and carotid intima media thickness (IMT) has not been analysed yet. Methods: Retinol, RBP4 and TTR were measured in 96 individuals and their relation to mean and maximal IMT was determined. Results: Mean IMT correlated with RBP4 (r = 0.335, p < 0.001), retinol (r = -0.241, p = 0.043), RBP/TTR ratio (r = 0.254, p = 0.025) and retinol/RBP4 ratio (r = -0.549, p < 0.001). Adjustment for age, sex, BMI, blood pressure, HDL/total cholesterol ratio, triglyceride, diabetes and smoking revealed that the retinol/RBP4 ratio was strongly and independently associated with mean IMT. Similar results were found for maximal IMT, which included the measurement of plaques. Conclusion: The data support that the transport complex of vitamin A is associated with the IMT, an established parameter of atherosclerosis. Changes in RBP4 saturation with retinol may link renal dysfunction and insulin resistance to atherosclerosis. Y1 - 2010 UR - http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/00219150 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2010.07.063 SN - 0021-9150 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Henze, Andrea A1 - Frey, Simone K. A1 - Raila, Jens A1 - Scholze, Alexandra A1 - Spranger, Joachim A1 - Weickert, Martin O. A1 - Tepel, Martin A1 - Zidek, Walter A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. T1 - Alterations of retinol-binding protein 4 species in patients with different stages of chronic kidney disease and their relation to lipid parameters N2 - Retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) is elevated in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and has been discussed as marker of kidney function. In addition to an elevated concentration, the existence of truncated RBP4 species, RBP4-L (truncated at last C-terminal leucine) and RBP4-LL (truncated at both C-terminal leucines), has been reported in serum of hemodialysis patients. Since little is known about the occurrence of RBP4 species during the progression of CKD it was the aim of this study to analyse this possible association. The presence of RBP4, RBP4-L, RBP4- LL and transthyretin (TTR) was assessed in serum of 45 healthy controls and 52 patients with stage 2-5 of CKD using ELISA and RBP4 immunoprecipitation with subsequent MALDI-TOF-MS analysis. A reduction of glomerular filtration rate was accompanied by a gradual elevation of RBP4 serum levels and relative amounts of RBP4-LL. Correlation analysis revealed a strong association of the RBP4-TTR ratio with parameters of lipid metabolism and with diabetes-related factors. In conclusion, RBP4 serum concentration and the appearance of RBP4-LL seem to be influenced by kidney function. Furthermore, the RBP4-TTR ratio may provide diagnostic potential with regard to metabolic complications in CKD patients. Y1 - 2010 UR - http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/0006291X U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbrc.2010.01.082 SN - 0006-291X ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Henze, Andrea A1 - Raila, Jens A1 - Scholze, Alexandra A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. A1 - Tepel, Martin T1 - Administration of N-Acetylcyteine causes beneficial posttranslationalmodifications of transthyretin in hemodialysis patients T2 - Nephrology, dialysis, transplantation Y1 - 2013 SN - 0931-0509 VL - 28 IS - 2 SP - 164 EP - 164 PB - Oxford Univ. Press CY - Oxford ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Raila, Jens A1 - Enjalbert, Francis A1 - Mothes, Ralf A1 - Hurtienne, Andrea A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. T1 - Validation of a new point-of-care assay for determination of ss-carotene concentration in bovine whole blood and plasma JF - Veterinary clinical pathology N2 - Background: beta-Carotene is an important precursor of vitamin A, and is associated with bovine fertility. beta-Carotene concentrations in plasma are used to optimize beta-carotene supplementation in cattle, but measurement requires specialized equipment to separate plasma and extract and measure beta-carotene, either using spectrophotometry or high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Objective: The objective of this study was to validate a new 2-step point-of-care (POC) assay for measuring beta-carotene in whole blood and plasma. Methods: beta-carotene concentrations in plasma from 166 cows were measured using HPLC and compared with results obtained using a POC assay, the iCheck-iEx-Carotene test kit. Whole blood samples from 23 of these cattle were also evaluated using the POC assay and compared with HPLC-plasma results from the same 23 animals. The POC assay includes an extraction vial (iEx Carotene) and hand-held photometer (iCheck Carotene). Results: Concentrations of beta-carotene in plasma measured using the POC assay ranged from 0.40 to 15.84 mg/L (n = 166). No differences were observed between methods for assay of plasma (mean +/- SD; n = 166): HPLC-plasma 4.23 +/- 2.35 mg/L; POC-plasma 4.49 +/- 2.36 mg/L. Similar good agreement was found when plasma analyzed using HPLC was compared with whole blood analyzed using the POC system (n = 23): HPLC-plasma 3.46 +/- 2.12 mg/L; POC-whole blood 3.67 +/- 2.29 mg/L. Conclusions: Concentrations of beta-carotene can be measured in blood and plasma from cattle easily and rapidly using a POC assay, and results are comparable to those obtained by the highly sophisticated HPLC method. Immediate feedback regarding beta-carotene deficiency facilitates rapid and appropriate optimization of beta-carotene supplementation in feed. KW - Biomarker KW - HPLC KW - method comparison KW - nutritional supplements KW - vitamin A Y1 - 2012 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1939-165X.2012.00400.x SN - 0275-6382 VL - 41 IS - 1 SP - 119 EP - 122 PB - Wiley-Blackwell CY - Malden ER - TY - 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 - Kana-Sop, Marie Modestine A1 - Gouado, Inocent A1 - Achu, Mercy Bih A1 - Van Camp, John A1 - Zollo, Paul Henri Amvam A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. A1 - Oberleas, Donald A1 - Ekoe, Tetanye T1 - The Influence of Iron and Zinc Supplementation on the Bioavailability of Provitamin A Carotenoids from Papaya Following Consumption of a Vitamin A-Deficient Diet JF - Journal of nutritional science and vitaminology N2 - Iron deficiency anemia, zinc and vitamin A deficiencies are serious public health problems in Cameroon, as in many developing countries. Local vegetables which are sources of provitamin A carotenoids (PACs) can be used to improve vitamin A intakes. However, traditional meals are often unable to cover zinc and iron needs. The aim of this study was to determine the bioavailability of 3 PACs (alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, and beta-cryptoxanthin) in young men, who were fed with a vitamin A-free diet and received iron and zinc supplementation. Twelve healthy participants were divided into three groups and were supplemented with elemental iron (20 mg of iron fumarate), 20 mg of zinc sulfate or iron + zinc (20 mg of iron in the morning and 20 mg of zinc in the evening) for 11 d. They were given a vitamin A- and PAC-free diet from the 6th to the 11th day, followed by a test meal containing 0.55 kg of freshly peeled papaya as a source of PACs. Blood samples were collected four times successively on the 11th day (the test meal day), at TO (just after the test meal), after 2 h (T2), after 4 h (T4) and after 7 h (T7). Ultracentrifugation was used to isolate serum chylomicrons. Retinol appearance and PAC postprandial concentrations were determined. The supplementation with zinc, iron and iron+zinc influenced the chylomicron appearance of retinol and PACs differently as reflected by retention times and maximum absorption peaks. Iron led to highest retinol levels in the chylomicron. Zinc and iron+zinc supplements were best for optimal intact appearance of alpha-carotene, beta-carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin respectively. Supplementation with iron led to the greatest bioavailability of PACs from papaya and its conversion to retinol. KW - micronutrient deficiencies KW - zinc/iron supplementation KW - carotenoids bioavailability KW - Cameroon Y1 - 2015 SN - 0301-4800 SN - 1881-7742 VL - 61 IS - 3 SP - 205 EP - 214 PB - Univ. of Tokyo Pr. CY - Tokyo ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Danquah, Ina A1 - Dobrucky, C. Lydia A1 - Frank, Laura K. A1 - Henze, Andrea A1 - Amoako, Yaw A. A1 - Bedu-Addo, George A1 - Raila, Jens A1 - Schulze, Matthias Bernd A1 - Mockenhaupt, Frank P. A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. T1 - Vitamin A: potential misclassification of vitamin A status among patients with type 2 diabetes and hypertension in urban Ghana JF - The American journal of clinical nutrition : a publication of the American Society for Nutrition, Inc. N2 - Background: Sub-Saharan Africa is facing a double burden of malnutrition: vitamin A deficiency (VAD) prevails, whereas the nutrition-related chronic conditions type 2 diabetes (T2D) and hypertension are emerging. Serum retinol a VAD marker increases in kidney disease and decreases in inflammation, which can partly be attributed to alterations in the vitamin A transport proteins retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) and prealbumin. Kidney dysfunction and inflammation commonly accompany T2D and hypertension. Objective: Among urban Ghanaians, we investigated the associations of T2D and hypertension with serum retinol as well as the importance of kidney function and inflammation in this regard. Design: A hospital-based, case-control study in individuals for risk factors of T2D, hypertension, or both was conducted in Kumasi, Ghana (328 controls, 197 with T2D, 354 with hypertension, and 340 with T2D plus hypertension). In 1219 blood samples, serum retinol, RBP4, and prealbumin were measured. Urinary albumin and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) defined kidney function. C-reactive protein (CRP) >5 mg/L indicated inflammation. We identified associations of T2D and hypertension with retinol by linear regression and calculated the contribution of RBP4, prealbumin, urinary albumin, eGFR, and CRP to these associations as the percentages of the explained variance of retinol. Results: VAD (retinol <1.05 mu mol/L) was present in 10% of this predominantly female, middle-aged, overweight, and deprived population. Hypertension, but not T2D, was positively associated with retinol (beta: 0.12; 95% CI: 0.08, 0,17), adjusted for age, sex, socioeconomic factors, anthropometric measurements, and lifestyle. In addition to RBP4 (72%) and prealbumin (22%), the effect of increased retinol on individuals with hypertension was mainly attributed to impaired kidney function (eGFR: 30%; urinary albumin: 5%) but not to inflammation. Conclusions: In patients with hypertension, VAD might be underestimated because of increased serum retinol in the context of kidney dysfunction. Thus, the interpretation of serum retinol in sub-Saharan Africa should account for hypertension status. KW - hypertension KW - inflammation KW - kidney dysfunction KW - type 2 diabetes KW - vitamin A deficiency Y1 - 2015 U6 - https://doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.114.101345 SN - 0002-9165 SN - 1938-3207 VL - 102 IS - 1 SP - 207 EP - 214 PB - American Society for Nutrition, Inc. CY - Bethesda ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Kuhl, Juliane A1 - Aurich, Jörg E. A1 - Wulf, Manuela A1 - Hurtienne, A. A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. A1 - Aurich, Christine T1 - Effects of oral supplementation with beta-carotene on concentrations of beta-carotene, vitamin A and alpha-tocopherol in plasma, colostrum and milk of mares and plasma of their foals and on fertility in mares JF - Journal of animal physiology and animal nutrition N2 - In this study, effects of oral beta-carotene supplementation to mares (beta-carotene group: 1000 mg/day, n = 15; control group: n = 15) from 2 weeks before foaling until 6 weeks thereafter on concentrations of beta-carotene, vitamin A and a-tocopherol in plasma, colostrum and milk and plasma of their foals were determined. In addition, effects on fertility were studied. Beta-carotene concentrations increased in plasma and colostrum of beta-carotene-supplemented mares compared to control mares (p < 0.05). In mares of both groups, beta-carotene concentrations were higher in colostrum than in milk (p < 0.05). In foals, beta-carotene concentrations increased with colostrum uptake and were higher in foals born to supplemented mares (p < 0.05; control group: 0.0003 +/- 0.0002 mu g/ml on day 0, 0.008 +/- 0.0023 mu g/ml on day 1; beta-carotene group: 0.0005 +/- 0.0003 mu g/ml on day 0, 0.048 +/- 0.018 mu g/ml on day 1). Concentrations of vitamin A and a-tocopherol were higher in colostrum than in milk (p < 0.05) but did not differ between groups. Concentration of a-tocopherol in plasma of mares decreased over time and in foals, increased markedly within 4 days after birth. All but one mare (control group) showed oestrus within 2 weeks post-partum. Occurrence of oestrus did not differ between groups. More mares of the control group (7/7 vs. 5/12 in the beta-carotene group) became pregnant after being bred in first post-partum oestrus (p < 0.05). In conclusion, beta-carotene supplementation to mares increased beta-carotene concentrations in plasma, colostrum and milk of mares and plasma of their foals but had no positive effects on fertility. KW - carotene KW - colostrum KW - foal KW - mare KW - plasma KW - a-tocopherol KW - vitamin A Y1 - 2012 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0396.2011.01150.x SN - 0931-2439 VL - 96 IS - 3 SP - 376 EP - 384 PB - Wiley-Blackwell CY - Malden 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 - Longardt, Ann Carolin A1 - Schmiedchen, B. A1 - Raila, Jens A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. A1 - Obladen, M. A1 - Buehrer, Christoph A1 - Loui, A. T1 - Characterization of the vitamin A transport in preterm infants after repeated high-dose vitamin A injections JF - European journal of clinical nutrition N2 - BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Preterm infants have low vitamin A stores at birth, and parenteral administration of high-dose vitamin A reduces pulmonary morbidity. The aim was to characterize vitamin A transport and status. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Prospective study of 69 preterm infants (median birth weight 995 g, gestational age 28 weeks), in which 51 received 5000 IU vitamin A three times per week intramuscular (i.m.) for 4 weeks and 18 infants without i.m. vitamin A served as controls. Serum retinol, retinyl palmitate, total retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4), retinol-unbound RBP4 (apo-RBP4) and transthyretin concentrations were determined at days 3 (D3) and 28 (D28) of life. RESULTS: D3 retinol concentrations were low for the entire group (382 (285/531) nmol/l; median/interquartile range) and unrelated to gestational age. D28 retinol was unchanged in controls (382 (280/471) nmol/l), but increased in the vitamin A group (596 (480/825) nmol/l; P < 0.001). A similar pattern was observed for RBP4. The calculated retinol-to-RBP4 ratio rose in vitamin A infants (D3: 0.81 (0.57/0.94), D28: 0.98 (0.77/1.26); P < 0.01) but not in controls. In the vitamin A group, the retinol-to-RBP4 ratio was 41 in 15% of all infants on D3 and in 45% of infants on D28, but was <= 1 in all, but one, controls on D28. CONCLUSIONS: In preterm infants receiving a 4-week course of high-dose i. m. vitamin A, serum retinol concentrations increased by 55%, with molar concentrations of retinol exceeding those of RBP4 in 45% of the infants suggesting transport mechanisms other than RBP4. Y1 - 2014 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2014.202 SN - 0954-3007 SN - 1476-5640 VL - 68 IS - 12 SP - 1300 EP - 1304 PB - Nature Publ. Group CY - London 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 - 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 - Brenten, Thomas A1 - Morris, Penelope J. A1 - Salt, Carina A1 - Raila, Jens A1 - Kohn, Barbara A1 - Brunnberg, Leo A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. A1 - Zentek, Juergen T1 - Energy intake, growth rate and body composition of young Labrador Retrievers and Miniature Schnauzers fed different dietary levels of vitamin A JF - The British journal of nutrition : an international journal devoted to the science of human and animal nutrition N2 - Research in rodents has shown that dietary vitamin A reduces body fat by enhancing fat mobilisation and energy utilisation; however, their effects in growing dogs remain unclear. In the present study, we evaluated the development of body weight and body composition and compared observed energy intake with predicted energy intake in forty-nine puppies from two breeds (twenty-four Labrador Retriever (LAB) and twenty-five Miniature Schnauzer (MS)). A total of four different diets with increasing vitamin A content between 5.24 and 104.80 mu mol retinol (5000-100 000 IU vitamin A)/4184 kJ (1000 kcal) metabolisable energy were fed from the age of 8 weeks up to 52 (MS) and 78 weeks (LAB). The daily energy intake was recorded throughout the experimental period. The body condition score was evaluated weekly using a seven-category system, and food allowances were adjusted to maintain optimal body condition. Body composition was assessed at the age of 26 and 52 weeks for both breeds and at the age of 78 weeks for the LAB breed only using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The growth curves of the dogs followed a breed-specific pattern. However, data on energy intake showed considerable variability between the two breeds as well as when compared with predicted energy intake. In conclusion, the data show that energy intakes of puppies particularly during early growth are highly variable; however, the growth pattern and body composition of the LAB and MS breeds are not affected by the intake of vitamin A at levels up to 104.80 mu mol retinol (100 000 IU vitamin A)/4184 kJ (1000 kcal). KW - Dog growth KW - Vitamin A KW - Body composition KW - Energy intake Y1 - 2014 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114514000543 SN - 0007-1145 SN - 1475-2662 VL - 111 IS - 12 SP - 2104 EP - 2111 PB - Cambridge Univ. Press CY - Cambridge ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Fruscalzo, Arrigo A1 - Londero, Ambrogio P. A1 - Driul, Lorenza A1 - Henze, Andrea A1 - Tonutti, Laura A1 - Ceraudo, Maria A1 - Zanotti, Giuseppe A1 - Berni, Rodolfo A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. A1 - Raila, Jens T1 - First trimester concentrations of the TTR-RBP4-retinol complex components as early markers of insulin-treated gestational diabetes mellitus JF - Clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine : journal of the Forum of the European Societies of Clinical Chemistry - the European Branch of the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine N2 - Background: The objective of the study was to investigate the relationship between first trimester maternal serum levels of the TTR-RBP4-ROH complex components and the later insurgence of an altered glucose metabolism during pregnancy. Methods: Retrospective case control study including 96 patients between the 12th and 14th week of gestation, 32 that developed gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), respectively, 21 non-insulin-treated (dGDM) and 11 insulin-treated (iGDM), 20 large for gestational age fetuses (LGA) without GDM and 44 patients with normal outcome as control. Serum concentrations of RBP4 and TTR were assessed by ELISA; serum concentration of ROH by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (rpHPLC). The molecular heterogeneity of TTR and RBP4 was analyzed after immunoprecipitation by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). Results: iGDM patients were characterized by reduced TTR, RBP4 and ROH compared to controls (respectively, iGDM vs. controls, mean +/- SD: TTR 3.96 +/- 0.89 mu mol/L vs. 4.68 +/- 1.21 mu mol/L, RBP4 1.13 +/- 0.25 mu mol/L vs. 1.33 +/- 0.38 mu mol/L and ROH 1.33 +/- 0.17 mu mol/L vs. 1.62 +/- 0.29 mu mol/L, p < 0.05). TTR containing Gly10 in place of Cys10 was lower in the iGDM group (p < 0.05) compared to controls. In the final logistic regression model ROH significantly predicted the diagnosis of iGDM (OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.87-0.98, p < 0.05). Conclusions: First trimester maternal serum ROH, RBP4 and TTR represent potential biomarkers associated with the development of iGDM. KW - first trimester KW - gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) KW - insulin KW - large for gestational age fetus (LGA) KW - protein microheterogeneity KW - retinol (ROH) KW - serum retinol binding protein (RBP4) KW - transthyretin (TTR) Y1 - 2015 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1515/cclm-2014-0929 SN - 1434-6621 SN - 1437-4331 VL - 53 IS - 10 SP - 1643 EP - 1651 PB - De Gruyter CY - Berlin ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Morris, Penelope J. A1 - Salt, Carina A1 - Raila, Jens A1 - Brenten, Thomas A1 - Kohn, Barbara A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. A1 - Zentek, Juergen T1 - Safety evaluation of vitamin A in growing dogs JF - BRITISH JOURNAL OF NUTRITION N2 - The safe upper limit for inclusion of vitamin A in complete diets for growing dogs is uncertain, with the result that current recommendations range from 5.24 to 104.80 mu mol retinol (5000 to 100 000 IU vitamin A)/4184 kJ (1000 kcal) metabolisable energy (ME). The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of feeding four concentrations of vitamin A to puppies from weaning until 1 year of age. A total of forty-nine puppies, of two breeds, Labrador Retriever and Miniature Schnauzer, were randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups. Following weaning at 8 weeks of age, puppies were fed a complete food supplemented with retinyl acetate diluted in vegetable oil and fed at 1ml oil/100 g diet to achieve an intake of 5.24, 13.10, 78.60 and 104.80 mu mol retinol (5000, 12 500, 75 000 and 100 000 IU vitamin A)/4184 kJ (1000 kcal) ME. Fasted blood and urine samples were collected at 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 20, 26, 36 and 52 weeks of age and analysed for markers of vitamin A metabolism and markers of safety including haematological and biochemical variables, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, cross-linked carboxyterminal telopeptides of type I collagen and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Clinical examinations were conducted every 4 weeks. Data were analysed by means of a mixed model analysis with Bonferroni corrections for multiple endpoints. There was no effect of vitamin A concentration on any of the parameters, with the exception of total serum retinyl esters, and no effect of dose on the number, type and duration of adverse events. We therefore propose that 104.80 mu mol retinol (100 000 IU vitamin A)/4184 kJ (1000 kcal) is a suitable safe upper limit for use in the formulation of diets designed for puppy growth. KW - Puppies KW - Dogs KW - Retinol KW - Retinyl esters KW - Vitamin A Y1 - 2012 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114512000128 SN - 0007-1145 VL - 108 IS - 10 SP - 1800 EP - 1809 PB - CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESS CY - CAMBRIDGE ER -