TY  - JOUR
A1  - Alicke, Marie
A1  - Boakye-Appiah, Justice K.
A1  - Abdul-Jalil, Inusah
A1  - Henze, Andrea
A1  - van der Giet, Markus
A1  - Schulze, Matthias Bernd
A1  - Schweigert, Florian J.
A1  - Mockenhaupt, Frank P.
A1  - Bedu-Addo, George
A1  - Danquah, Ina
T1  - eAdolescent health in rural Ghana: A crosssectional study on the co-occurrence of infectious diseases, malnutrition and cardiometabolic risk factors
JF  - PLoS one
N2  - In sub-Saharan Africa, infectious diseases and malnutrition constitute the main health problems in children, while adolescents and adults are increasingly facing cardio-metabolic conditions. Among adolescents as the largest population group in this region, we investigated the co-occurrence of infectious diseases, malnutrition and cardio-metabolic risk factors (CRFs), and evaluated demographic, socio-economic and medical risk factors for these entities. In a cross-sectional study among 188 adolescents in rural Ghana, malarial infection, common infectious diseases and Body Mass Index were assessed. We measured ferritin, C-reactive protein, retinol, fasting glucose and blood pressure. Socio-demographic data were documented. We analyzed the proportions (95% confidence interval, CI) and the cooccurrence of infectious diseases (malaria, other common diseases), malnutrition (underweight, stunting, iron deficiency, vitamin A deficiency [VAD]), and CRFs (overweight, obesity, impaired fasting glucose, hypertension). In logistic regression, odds ratios (OR) and 95% CIs were calculated for the associations with socio-demographic factors. In this Ghanaian population (age range, 14.4-15.5 years; males, 50%), the proportions were for infectious diseases 45% (95% CI: 38-52%), for malnutrition 50% (43-57%) and for CRFs 16% (11- 21%). Infectious diseases and malnutrition frequently co-existed (28%; 21-34%). Specifically, VAD increased the odds of non-malarial infectious diseases 3-fold (95% CI: 1.03, 10.19). Overlap of CRFs with infectious diseases (6%; 2-9%) or with malnutrition (7%; 3-11%) was also present. Male gender and low socio-economic status increased the odds of infectious diseases and malnutrition, respectively. Malarial infection, chronic malnutrition and VAD remain the predominant health problems among these Ghanaian adolescents. Investigating the relationships with evolving CRFs is warranted.
Y1  - 2017
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0180436
SN  - 1932-6203
VL  - 12
SP  - 4463
EP  - 4477
PB  - PLoS
CY  - San Fransisco
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  - 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  - 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  - 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  - 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  - Frede, Katja
A1  - Henze, Andrea
A1  - Khalil, Mahmoud
A1  - Baldermann, Susanne
A1  - Schweigert, Florian J.
A1  - Rawel, Harshadrai Manilal
T1  - Stability and cellular uptake of lutein-loaded emulsions
JF  - Journal of functional food
N2  - The carotenoid lutein can improve human health. Since only a fraction is absorbed from food, lutein supplementation might be recommended. Emulsions could be good carrier systems to improve the bioavailability of lutein. Six different emulsifier compositions were used in this study to prepare lutein-loaded emulsions: beta-lactoglobulin, beta-lactoglobulin/lecithin, Biozate 1, Biozate 1/lecithin, Been 20 and Tween 20/lecithin. The droplet size, resistance to creaming, lutein stability, cytotoxicity and lutein uptake by HT29 cells were investigated. The whey protein beta-lactoglobulin, the whey protein hydrolysate Biozate 1 and the combination with lecithin brought the most promising results. The small droplet sizes and resistance to creaming were an indication of physical stable emulsions. Furthermore, these emulsifiers prevented oxidation of lutein. The choice of emulsifier had a strong impact on the uptake by HT29 cells. The highest lutein absorption was observed with the combination of Biozate 1 and lecithin.
KW  - Lutein
KW  - Emulsion
KW  - Whey protein
KW  - Stability
KW  - Bioavailability
Y1  - 2014
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2014.03.011
SN  - 1756-4646
VL  - 8
SP  - 118
EP  - 127
PB  - Elsevier
CY  - Amsterdam
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  - 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  -