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With the many challenges facing the agricultural system, such as water scarcity, loss of arable land due to climate change, population growth, urbanization or trade disruptions, new agri-food systems are needed to ensure food security in the future. In addition, healthy diets are needed to combat non-communicable diseases. Therefore, plant-based diets rich in health-promoting plant secondary metabolites are desirable. A saline indoor farming system is representing a sustainable and resilient new agrifood system and can preserve valuable fresh water. Since indoor farming relies on artificial lighting, assessment of lighting conditions is essential. In this thesis, the cultivation of halophytes in a saline indoor farming system was evaluated and the influence of cultivation conditions were assessed in favor of improving the nutritional quality of halophytes for human consumption. Therefore, five selected edible halophyte species (Brassica oleracea var. palmifolia, Cochlearia officinalis, Atriplex hortensis, Chenopodium quinoa, and Salicornia europaea) were cultivated in saline indoor farming. The halophyte species were selected for to their salt tolerance levels and mechanisms. First, the suitability of halophytes for saline indoor farming and the influence of salinity on their nutritional properties, e.g. plant secondary metabolites and minerals, were investigated. Changes in plant performance and nutritional properties were observed as a function of salinity. The response to salinity was found to be species-specific and related to the salt tolerance mechanism of the halophytes. At their optimal salinity levels, the halophytes showed improved carotenoid content. In addition, a negative correlation was found between the nitrate and chloride content of halophytes as a function of salinity. Since chloride and nitrate can be antinutrient compounds, depending on their content, monitoring is essential, especially in halophytes. Second, regional brine water was introduced as an alternative saline water resource in the saline indoor farming system. Brine water was shown to be feasible for saline indoor farming
of halophytes, as there was no adverse effect on growth or nutritional properties, e.g. carotenoids. Carotenoids were shown to be less affected by salt composition than by salt concentration. In addition, the interaction between the salinity and the light regime in indoor farming and greenhouse cultivation has been studied. There it was shown that interacting light regime and salinity alters the content of carotenoids and chlorophylls. Further, glucosinolate and nitrate content were also shown to be influenced by light regime. Finally, the influence of UVB light on halophytes was investigated using supplemental narrow-band UVB LEDs. It was shown that UVB light affects the growth, phenotype and metabolite profile of halophytes and that the UVB response is species specific. Furthermore, a modulation of carotenoid content in S. europaea could be achieved to enhance health-promoting properties and thus improve nutritional quality. This was shown to be dose-dependent and the underlying mechanisms of carotenoid accumulation were also investigated. Here it was revealed that carotenoid accumulation is related to oxidative stress.
In conclusion, this work demonstrated the potential of halophytes as alternative vegetables produced in a saline indoor farming system for future diets that could contribute to ensuring food security in the future. To improve the sustainability of the saline indoor farming system, LED lamps and regional brine water could be integrated into the system. Since the nutritional properties have been shown to be influenced by salt, light regime and UVB light, these abiotic stressors must be taken into account when considering halophytes as alternative vegetables for human nutrition.
Protected cultivation in greenhouses or polytunnels offers the potential for sustainable production of high-yield, high-quality vegetables. This is related to the ability to produce more on less land and to use resources responsibly and efficiently. Crop yield has long been considered the most important factor. However, as plant-based diets have been proposed for a sustainable food system, the targeted enrichment of health-promoting plant secondary metabolites should be addressed. These metabolites include carotenoids and flavonoids, which are associated with several health benefits, such as cardiovascular health and cancer protection.
Cover materials generally have an influence on the climatic conditions, which in turn can affect the levels of secondary metabolites in vegetables grown underneath. Plastic materials are cost-effective and their properties can be modified by incorporating additives, making them the first choice. However, these additives can migrate and leach from the material, resulting in reduced service life, increased waste and possible environmental release. Antifogging additives are used in agricultural films to prevent the formation of droplets on the film surface, thereby increasing light transmission and preventing microbiological contamination.
This thesis focuses on LDPE/EVA covers and incorporated antifogging additives for sustainable protected cultivation, following two different approaches. The first addressed the direct effects of leached antifogging additives using simulation studies on lettuce leaves (Lactuca sativa var capitata L). The second determined the effect of antifog polytunnel covers on lettuce quality. Lettuce is usually grown under protective cover and can provide high nutritional value due to its carotenoid and flavonoid content, depending on the cultivar.
To study the influence of simulated leached antifogging additives on lettuce leaves, a GC-MS method was first developed to analyze these additives based on their fatty acid moieties. Three structurally different antifogging additives (reference material) were characterized outside of a polymer matrix for the first time. All of them contained more than the main fatty acid specified by the manufacturer. Furthermore, they were found to adhere to the leaf surface and could not be removed by water or partially by hexane.
The incorporation of these additives into polytunnel covers affects carotenoid levels in lettuce, but not flavonoids, caffeic acid derivatives and chlorophylls. Specifically, carotenoids were higher in lettuce grown under polytunnels without antifog than with antifog. This has been linked to their effect on the light regime and was suggested to be related to carotenoid function in photosynthesis.
In terms of protected cultivation, the use of LDPE/EVA polytunnels affected light and temperature, and both are closely related. The carotenoid and flavonoid contents of lettuce grown under polytunnels was reversed, with higher carotenoid and lower flavonoid levels. At the individual level, the flavonoids detected in lettuce did not differ however, lettuce carotenoids adapted specifically depending on the time of cultivation. Flavonoid reduction was shown to be transcriptionally regulated (CHS) in response to UV light (UVR8). In contrast, carotenoids are thought to be regulated post-transcriptionally, as indicated by the lack of correlation between carotenoid levels and transcripts of the first enzyme in carotenoid biosynthesis (PSY) and a carotenoid degrading enzyme (CCD4), as well as the increased carotenoid metabolic flux. Understanding the regulatory mechanisms and metabolite adaptation strategies could further advance the strategic development and selection of cover materials.
Manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) are not only essential trace elements, but also potential exogenous risk factors for various diseases. Since the disturbed homeostasis of single metals can result in detrimental health effects, concerns have emerged regarding the consequences of excessive exposures to multiple metals, either via nutritional supplementation or parenteral nutrition. This study focuses on Mn-Zn-interactions in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) model, taking into account aspects related to aging and age-dependent neurodegeneration.
Background:
Epidemiological evidence indicates that diets rich in plant foods are associated with a lower risk of ischaemic heart disease (IHD), but there is sparse information on fruit and vegetable subtypes and sources of dietary fibre. This study examined the associations of major plant foods, their subtypes and dietary fibre with risk of IHD in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC).
Methods:
We conducted a prospective analysis of 490 311 men and women without a history of myocardial infarction or stroke at recruitment (12.6 years of follow-up, n cases = 8504), in 10 European countries. Dietary intake was assessed using validated questionnaires, calibrated with 24-h recalls. Multivariable Cox regressions were used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) of IHD.
Results:
There was a lower risk of IHD with a higher intake of fruit and vegetables combined [HR per 200 g/day higher intake 0.94, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.90-0.99, P-trend = 0.009], and with total fruits (per 100 g/day 0.97, 0.95-1.00, P-trend = 0.021). There was no evidence for a reduced risk for fruit subtypes, except for bananas. Risk was lower with higher intakes of nuts and seeds (per 10 g/day 0.90, 0.82-0.98, Ptrend = 0.020), total fibre (per 10 g/day 0.91, 0.85-0.98, P-trend = 0.015), fruit and vegetable fibre (per 4 g/day 0.95, 0.91-0.99, P-trend = 0.022) and fruit fibre (per 2 g/day 0.97, 0.95-1.00, P-trend = 0.045). No associations were observed between vegetables, vegetables subtypes, legumes, cereals and IHD risk.
Conclusions:
In this large prospective study, we found some small inverse associations between plant foods and IHD risk, with fruit and vegetables combined being the most strongly inversely associated with risk. Whether these small associations are causal remains unclear.
Obesity is a risk factor for several major cancers. Associations of weight change in middle adulthood with cancer risk, however, are less clear. We examined the association of change in weight and body mass index (BMI) category during middle adulthood with 42 cancers, using multivariable Cox proportional hazards models in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition cohort. Of 241 323 participants (31% men), 20% lost and 32% gained weight (>0.4 to 5.0 kg/year) during 6.9 years (average). During 8.0 years of follow-up after the second weight assessment, 20 960 incident cancers were ascertained. Independent of baseline BMI, weight gain (per one kg/year increment) was positively associated with cancer of the corpus uteri (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.14; 95% confidence interval: 1.05-1.23). Compared to stable weight (+/- 0.4 kg/year), weight gain (>0.4 to 5.0 kg/year) was positively associated with cancers of the gallbladder and bile ducts (HR = 1.41; 1.01-1.96), postmenopausal breast (HR = 1.08; 1.00-1.16) and thyroid (HR = 1.40; 1.04-1.90). Compared to maintaining normal weight, maintaining overweight or obese BMI (World Health Organisation categories) was positively associated with most obesity-related cancers. Compared to maintaining the baseline BMI category, weight gain to a higher BMI category was positively associated with cancers of the postmenopausal breast (HR = 1.19; 1.06-1.33), ovary (HR = 1.40; 1.04-1.91), corpus uteri (HR = 1.42; 1.06-1.91), kidney (HR = 1.80; 1.20-2.68) and pancreas in men (HR = 1.81; 1.11-2.95). Losing weight to a lower BMI category, however, was inversely associated with cancers of the corpus uteri (HR = 0.40; 0.23-0.69) and colon (HR = 0.69; 0.52-0.92). Our findings support avoiding weight gain and encouraging weight loss in middle adulthood.
To better understand the role of individual and lifestyle factors in human disease, an exposome-wide association study was performed to investigate within a single-study anthropometry measures and lifestyle factors previously associated with B-cell lymphoma (BCL). Within the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and nutrition study, 2402 incident BCL cases were diagnosed from 475 426 participants that were followed-up on average 14 years. Standard and penalized Cox regression models as well as principal component analysis (PCA) were used to evaluate 84 exposures in relation to BCL risk. Standard and penalized Cox regression models showed a positive association between anthropometric measures and BCL and multiple myeloma/plasma cell neoplasm (MM). The penalized Cox models additionally showed the association between several exposures from categories of physical activity, smoking status, medical history, socioeconomic position, diet and BCL and/or the subtypes. PCAs confirmed the individual associations but also showed additional observations. The PC5 including anthropometry, was positively associated with BCL, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and MM. There was a significant positive association between consumption of sugar and confectionary (PC11) and follicular lymphoma risk, and an inverse association between fish and shellfish and Vitamin D (PC15) and DLBCL risk. The PC1 including features of the Mediterranean diet and diet with lower inflammatory score showed an inverse association with BCL risk, while the PC7, including dairy, was positively associated with BCL and DLBCL risk. Physical activity (PC10) was positively associated with DLBCL risk among women. This study provided informative insights on the etiology of BCL.
Being born large for gestational age is associated with increased global placental DNA methylation
(2020)
Being born small (SGA) or large for gestational age (LGA) is associated with adverse birth outcomes and metabolic diseases in later life of the offspring. It is known that aberrations in growth during gestation are related to altered placental function. Placental function is regulated by epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation. Several studies in recent years have demonstrated associations between altered patterns of DNA methylation and adverse birth outcomes. However, larger studies that reliably investigated global DNA methylation are lacking. The aim of this study was to characterize global placental DNA methylation in relationship to size for gestational age. Global DNA methylation was assessed in 1023 placental samples by LC-MS/MS. LGA offspring displayed significantly higher global placental DNA methylation compared to appropriate for gestational age (AGA; p<0.001). ANCOVA analyses adjusted for known factors impacting on DNA methylation demonstrated an independent association between placental global DNA methylation and LGA births (p<0.001). Tertile stratification according to global placental DNA methylation levels revealed a significantly higher frequency of LGA births in the third tertile. Furthermore, a multiple logistic regression analysis corrected for known factors influencing birth weight highlighted an independent positive association between global placental DNA methylation and the frequency of LGA births (p=0.001).
Macrophages have important protective functions during infection with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). However, molecular mechanisms that restrict viral propagation and protect from severe disease are unclear. Here we show that macrophages take up HSV-1 via endocytosis and transport the virions into multivesicular bodies (MVBs). In MVBs, acid ceramidase (aCDase) converts ceramide into sphingosine and increases the formation of sphingosine-rich intraluminal vesicles (ILVs). Once HSV-1 particles reach MVBs, sphingosine-rich ILVs bind to HSV-1 particles, which restricts fusion with the limiting endosomal membrane and prevents cellular infection. Lack of aCDase in macrophage cultures or in Asah1(-/-) mice results in replication of HSV-1 and Asah1(-/-) mice die soon after systemic or intravaginal inoculation. The treatment of macrophages with sphingosine enhancing compounds blocks HSV-1 propagation, suggesting a therapeutic potential of this pathway. In conclusion, aCDase loads ILVs with sphingosine, which prevents HSV-1 capsids from penetrating into the cytosol.
Experimental studies have reported on the anti-inflammatory properties of polyphenols. However, results from epidemiological investigations have been inconsistent and especially studies using biomarkers for assessment of polyphenol intake have been scant. We aimed to characterise the association between plasma concentrations of thirty-five polyphenol compounds and low-grade systemic inflammation state as measured by high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP). A cross-sectional data analysis was performed based on 315 participants in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition cohort with available measurements of plasma polyphenols and hsCRP. In logistic regression analysis, the OR and 95 % CI of elevated serum hsCRP (>3 mg/l) were calculated within quartiles and per standard deviation higher level of plasma polyphenol concentrations. In a multivariable-adjusted model, the sum of plasma concentrations of all polyphenols measured (per standard deviation) was associated with 29 (95 % CI 50, 1) % lower odds of elevated hsCRP. In the class of flavonoids, daidzein was inversely associated with elevated hsCRP (OR 0 center dot 66, 95 % CI 0 center dot 46, 0 center dot 96). Among phenolic acids, statistically significant associations were observed for 3,5-dihydroxyphenylpropionic acid (OR 0 center dot 58, 95 % CI 0 center dot 39, 0 center dot 86), 3,4-dihydroxyphenylpropionic acid (OR 0 center dot 63, 95 % CI 0 center dot 46, 0 center dot 87), ferulic acid (OR 0 center dot 65, 95 % CI 0 center dot 44, 0 center dot 96) and caffeic acid (OR 0 center dot 69, 95 % CI 0 center dot 51, 0 center dot 93). The odds of elevated hsCRP were significantly reduced for hydroxytyrosol (OR 0 center dot 67, 95 % CI 0 center dot 48, 0 center dot 93). The present study showed that polyphenol biomarkers are associated with lower odds of elevated hsCRP. Whether diet rich in bioactive polyphenol compounds could be an effective strategy to prevent or modulate deleterious health effects of inflammation should be addressed by further well-powered longitudinal studies.
Background: Dietary protein restriction is emerging as an alternative approach to treat obesity and glucose intolerance because it markedly increases plasma fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) concentrations. Similarly, dietary restriction of methionine is known to mimic metabolic effects of energy and protein restriction with FGF21 as a required mechanism. However, dietary protein has been shown to be required for normal bone growth, though there is conflicting evidence as to the influence of dietary protein restriction on bone remodeling. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the effect of dietary protein and methionine restriction on bone in lean and obese mice, and clarify whether FGF21 and general control nonderepressible 2 (GCN2) kinase, that are part of a novel endocrine pathway implicated in the detection of protein restriction, influence the effect of dietary protein restriction on bone.
Methods: Adult wild-type (WT) or Fgf21 KO mice were fed a normal protein (18 kcal%; CON) or low protein (4 kcal%; LP) diet for 2 or 27 weeks. In addition, adult WT or Gcn2 KO mice were fed a CON or LP diet for 27 weeks. Young New Zealand obese (NZO) mice were placed on high-fat diets that provided protein at control (16 kcal%; CON), low levels (4 kcal%) in a high-carbohydrate (LP/HC) or high-fat (LP/HF) regimen, or on high-fat diets (protein, 16 kcal%) that provided methionine at control (0.86%; CON-MR) or low levels (0.17%; MR) for up to 9 weeks. Long bones from the hind limbs of these mice were collected and evaluated with micro-computed tomography (mu CT) for changes in trabecular and cortical architecture and mass.
Results: In WT mice the 27-week LP diet significantly reduced cortical bone, and this effect was enhanced by deletion of Fgf21 but not Gcn2. This decrease in bone did not appear after 2 weeks on the LP diet. In addition, Fgf21 KO mice had significantly less bone than their WT counterparts. In obese NZO mice dietary protein and methionine restriction altered bone architecture. The changes were mediated by FGF21 due to methionine restriction in the presence of cystine, which did not increase plasma FGF21 levels and did not affect bone architecture.
Conclusions: This study provides direct evidence of a reduction in bone following long-term dietary protein restriction in a mouse model, effects that appear to be mediated by FGF21.
Inhibition of acid sphingomyelinase (ASM), a lysosomal enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of sphingomyelin into ceramide and phosphorylcholine, may serve as an investigational tool or a therapeutic intervention to control many diseases. Specific ASM inhibitors are currently not sufficiently characterized. Here, we found that 1-aminodecylidene bis-phosphonic acid (ARC39) specifically and efficiently (>90%) inhibits both lysosomal and secretory ASM in vitro. Results from investigating sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase 1 (SMPD1/Smpd1) mRNA and ASM protein levels suggested that ARC39 directly inhibits ASM's catalytic activity in cultured cells, a mechanism that differs from that of functional inhibitors of ASM. We further provide evidence that ARC39 dose- and time-dependently inhibits lysosomal ASM in intact cells, and we show that ARC39 also reduces platelet- and ASM-promoted adhesion of tumor cells. The observed toxicity of ARC39 is low at concentrations relevant for ASM inhibition in vitro, and it does not strongly alter the lysosomal compartment or induce phospholipidosis in vitro. When applied intraperitoneally in vivo, even subtoxic high doses administered short-term induced sphingomyelin accumulation only locally in the peritoneal lavage without significant accumulation in plasma, liver, spleen, or brain. These findings require further investigation with other possible chemical modifications. In conclusion, our results indicate that ARC39 potently and selectively inhibits ASM in vitro and highlight the need for developing compounds that can reach tissue concentrations sufficient for ASM inhibition in vivo.
Regular consumption of fruits and vegetables, which is related to high plasma levels of lipid-soluble micro-nutrients such as carotenoids and tocopherols, is linked to lower incidences of various age-related diseases. Differences in lipid-soluble micronutrient blood concentrations seem to be associated with age. Our retrospective analysis included men and women aged 22-37 and 60-85 years from the Berlin Aging Study II. Participants with simultaneously available plasma samples and dietary data were included (n = 1973). Differences between young and old groups were found for plasma lycopene, alpha-carotene, alpha-tocopherol, beta-cryptoxanthin (only in women), and gamma-tocopherol (only in men). beta-Carotene, retinol and lutein/zeaxanthin did not differ between young and old participants regardless of the sex. We found significant associations for lycopene, alpha-carotene (both inverse), alpha-tocopherol, gamma-tocopherol, and beta-carotene (all positive) with age. Adjusting for BMI, smoking status, season, cholesterol and dietary intake confirmed these associations, except for beta-carotene. These micronutrients are important antioxidants and associated with lower incidence of age-related diseases, therefore it is important to understand the underlying mechanisms in order to implement dietary strategies for the prevention of age-related diseases. To explain the lower lycopene and alpha-carotene concentration in older subjects, bioavailability studies in older participants are necessary.
The prevalence of vitamin A deficiency in sub-Saharan Africa necessitates effective approaches to improve provitamin A content of major staple crops. Cassava holds much promise for food security in sub-Saharan Africa, but a negative correlation between beta-carotene, a provitamin A carotenoid, and dry matter content has been reported, which poses a challenge to cassava biofortification by conventional breeding. To identify suitable material for genetic transformation in tissue culture with the overall aim to increase beta-carotene and maintain starch content as well as better understand carotenoid composition, root and leaf tissues from thirteen field-grown cassava landraces were analyzed for agronomic traits, carotenoid, chlorophyll, and starch content. The expression of five genes related to carotenoid biosynthesis were determined in selected landraces. Analysis revealed a weak negative correlation between starch and beta-carotene content, whereas there was a strong positive correlation between root yield and many carotenoids including beta-carotene. Carotenoid synthesis genes were expressed in both white and yellow cassava roots, but phytoene synthase 2 (PSY2), lycopene-epsilon-cyclase (LCY epsilon), and beta-carotenoid hydroxylase (CHY beta) expression were generally higher in yellow roots. This study identified lines with reasonably high content of starch and beta-carotene that could be candidates for biofortification by further breeding or plant biotechnological means.
Saliva samples as a tool to study the effect of meal timing on metabolic and inflammatory biomarkers
(2020)
Meal timing affects metabolic regulation in humans. Most studies use blood samples fortheir investigations. Saliva, although easily available and non-invasive, seems to be rarely used forchrononutritional studies. In this pilot study, we tested if saliva samples could be used to studythe effect of timing of carbohydrate and fat intake on metabolic rhythms. In this cross-over trial, 29 nonobese men were randomized to two isocaloric 4-week diets: (1) carbohydrate-rich meals until13:30 and high-fat meals between 16:30 and 22:00 or (2) the inverse order of meals. Stimulated salivasamples were collected every 4 h for 24 h at the end of each intervention, and levels of hormones andinflammatory biomarkers were assessed in saliva and blood. Cortisol, melatonin, resistin, adiponectin, interleukin-6 and MCP-1 demonstrated distinct diurnal variations, mirroring daytime reports inblood and showing significant correlations with blood levels. The rhythm patterns were similar forboth diets, indicating that timing of carbohydrate and fat intake has a minimal effect on metabolicand inflammatory biomarkers in saliva. Our study revealed that saliva is a promising tool for thenon-invasive assessment of metabolic rhythms in chrononutritional studies, but standardisation of sample collection is needed in out-of-lab studies.
Vitamin A, vitamin E and retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) are a focus of current obesity research in humans. The impact of body weight (BW) gain on fat-soluble vitamins and its associated parameters in equines has not been previously reported. Ten Shetland ponies and 9 Warmblood horses, all adult geldings, non-obese and healthy, were fed an excessive energy diet for 20 months to induce BW gain. Serum alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E), retinol (vitamin A), retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) and retinol/RBP4 ratio were analysed before BW gain induction and at six timepoints during the BW gaining period. The mean (+/- SD) % BW gain achieved during two years of excess energy intake was 29.9 +/- 19.4% for ponies and 17 +/- 6.74% for horses. Serum alpha-tocopherol increased significantly in ponies and horses during excess energy intake and circulating alpha-tocopherol levels correlated positively with alpha-tocopherol intake (r = .6; p < .001). Serum retinol concentrations showed variations during the study but without relation to intake. Serum RBP4 decreased at the end of the study. The retinol/RBP4 ratio increased with BW gain without differences between ponies and horses. In comparison with human research, the increase in the retinol/RBP4 ratio was unexpected and needs further elucidation.
Du sollst nicht essen
(2024)
Zwar sind Menschen biologisch gesehen Allesesser, dennoch gibt es keine Gemeinschaft, die alle ihr zur Verfügung stehenden Nahrungsmittel voll ausschöpft. Immer wird etwas nicht gegessen. Warum wir nicht essen, was wir nicht essen – das beleuchtet dieser Sammelband aus neuro-, ernährungs-, gesellschafts- und religionswissenschaftlicher Perspektive. Ein „religiöser Nutriscore“ gibt Auskunft über die wichtigsten Verzichtsregeln in Judentum, Christentum und Islam. Eine Fotostrecke veranschaulicht, wie bestimmte Speisen zu Festen und Feiertagen zu einem heiligen Essen werden. Nicht zuletzt werden Wege aufgezeigt, wie Menschen, die verschiedene Speiseregeln befolgen, dennoch zusammen essen können – inklusive Praxistest in der Unimensa.
Mit dem Alter kann eine Zunahme leichtgradiger Entzündungsprozesse beobachtet werden, von denen angenommen wird, dass sie den typischen, altersbedingten Verlust an Muskelmasse, -kraft und -funktion „befeuern“. Diese als Inflammaging bezeichneten Prozesse können auf ein komplexes Zusammenspiel aus einem dysfunktionalen (viszeralen) Fettgewebe, einer Dysbiose und damit einhergehender mikrobiellen Translokation und geringeren Abwehrfähigkeit sowie einer insgesamt zunehmenden Immunseneszenz zurückgeführt werden. In Summa begünstigt ein pro-inflammatorisches Milieu metabolische Störungen und chronische, altersassoziierte Erkrankungen, die das Entzündungsgeschehen aufrechterhalten oder vorantreiben. Neben einem essenziellen Bewegungsmangel trägt auch eine westlich geprägte, industrialisierte Ernährungsweise zum Entzündungsgeschehen und zur Entwicklung chronischer Erkrankungen bei. Daher liegt die Vermutung nahe, dem Entzündungsgeschehen mit ausreichend Bewegung und einer anti-inflammatorischen Ernährung entgegenzuwirken. In dieser Hinsicht werden insbesondere Omega-3-Fettsäuren (Omega-3) mit anti-inflammatorischen Eigenschaften verbunden. Obwohl ein Zusammenhang zwischen dem ernährungsbedingten Inflammationspotenzial bzw. der Zufuhr von Omega-3 und dem Inflammationsprofil bereits untersucht wurde, fehlen bislang Untersuchungen insbesondere bei älteren Erwachsenen, die den Link zwischen dem Inflammationspotenzial der Ernährung und Sarkopenie-relevanten Muskelparametern herstellen.
Aufgrund des Proteinmehrbedarfs zum Erhalt der funktionellen Muskulatur im Alter wurde bereits eine Vielzahl an Sport- und Ernährungsinterventionen durchgeführt, die eine Verbesserung des Muskelstatus mit Hilfe von strukturiertem Krafttraining und einer proteinreichen Ernährung zeigen. Es gibt zudem Hinweise, dass Omega-3 auch die Proteinsynthese verstärken könnten. Unklar ist jedoch, inwiefern eine anti-inflammatorische Ernährung mit Fokus auf Omega-3 sowohl die Entzündungsprozesse als auch den Muskelproteinmetabolismus und die neuromuskuläre Funktionalität im Alter günstig unterstützen kann. Dies vor allem im Hinblick auf die Muskelleistung, die eng mit der Sturzneigung und der Autonomie im Alltag verknüpft ist, aber in Interventionsstudien mit älteren Erwachsenen bisher wenig Berücksichtigung erhielt. Darüber hinaus werden häufig progressive Trainingselemente genutzt, die nach Studienabschluss oftmals wenig Anschluss im Lebensalltag der Betroffenen finden und somit wenig nachhaltig sind. Ziel dieser Arbeit war demnach die Evaluierung einer proteinreichen und zusätzlich mit Omega-3 supplementierten Ernährung in Kombination mit einem wöchentlichen Vibrationstraining und altersgemäßen Bewegungsprogramm auf Inflammation und neuromuskuläre Funktion bei älteren, selbständig lebenden Erwachsenen.
Hierzu wurden zunächst mögliche Zusammenhänge zwischen dem ernährungsbedingten Inflammationspotenzial, ermittelt anhand des Dietary Inflammatory Index, und dem Muskelstatus sowie dem Inflammationsprofil im Alter eruiert. Dazu dienten die Ausgangswerte von älteren, selbständig lebenden Erwachsenen einer postprandialen Interventionsstudie (POST-Studie), die im Querschnitt analysiert wurden. Die Ergebnisse bestätigten, dass eine pro-inflammatorische Ernährung sich einerseits in einem stärkeren Entzündungsgeschehen widerspiegelt und andererseits mit Sarkopenie-relevanten Parametern, wie einer geringeren Muskelmasse und Gehgeschwindigkeit, ungünstig assoziiert ist. Darüber hinaus zeigten sich diese Zusammenhänge auch in Bezug auf die Handgreifkraft bei den inaktiven, älteren Erwachsenen der Studie.
Anschließend wurde in einer explorativ ausgerichteten Pilot-Interventionsstudie (AIDA-Studie) in einem dreiarmigen Design untersucht, inwieweit sich eine Supplementierung mit Omega-3 unter Voraussetzung einer optimierten Proteinzufuhr und altersgemäßen Sportintervention mit Vibrationstraining auf die neuromuskuläre Funktion und Inflammation bei selbständig lebenden, älteren Erwachsenen auswirkt. Nach acht Wochen Intervention zeigte sich, dass eine mit Omega-3 supplementierte, proteinreiche Ernährung die Muskelleistung insbesondere bei den älteren Männern steigerte. Während sich die Kontrollgruppe nach acht Wochen Sportintervention nicht verbesserte, bestätigte sich zusätzlich eine Verbesserung der Beinkraft und der Testzeit beim Stuhl-Aufsteh-Test der älteren Erwachsenen mit einer proteinreichen Ernährung in Kombination mit der Sportintervention.
Darüber hinaus wurde deutlich, dass die zusätzliche Omega-3-Supplementierung insbesondere bei den Männern eine Reduktion der pro-inflammatorischen Zytokine im Serum zur Folge hatte. Allerdings spiegelten sich diese Beobachtungen nicht auf Genexpressionsebene in mononukleären Immunzellen oder in der LPS-induzierten Sekretion der Zytokine und Chemokine in Vollblutzellkulturen wider. Dies erfordert weitere Untersuchungen.
Housing in metabolic cages can induce a pronounced stress response. Metabolic cage systems imply housing mice on metal wire mesh for the collection of urine and feces in addition to monitoring food and water intake. Moreover, mice are single-housed, and no nesting, bedding, or enrichment material is provided, which is often argued to have a not negligible impact on animal welfare due to cold stress. We therefore attempted to reduce stress during metabolic cage housing for mice by comparing an innovative metabolic cage (IMC) with a commercially available metabolic cage from Tecniplast GmbH (TMC) and a control cage. Substantial refinement measures were incorporated into the IMC cage design. In the frame of a multifactorial approach for severity assessment, parameters such as body weight, body composition, food intake, cage and body surface temperature (thermal imaging), mRNA expression of uncoupling protein 1 (Ucp1) in brown adipose tissue (BAT), fur score, and fecal corticosterone metabolites (CMs) were included. Female and male C57BL/6J mice were single-housed for 24 h in either conventional Macrolon cages (control), IMC, or TMC for two sessions. Body weight decreased less in the IMC (females—1st restraint: 6.94%; 2nd restraint: 6.89%; males—1st restraint: 8.08%; 2nd restraint: 5.82%) compared to the TMC (females—1st restraint: 13.2%; 2nd restraint: 15.0%; males—1st restraint: 13.1%; 2nd restraint: 14.9%) and the IMC possessed a higher cage temperature (females—1st restraint: 23.7°C; 2nd restraint: 23.5 °C; males—1st restraint: 23.3 °C; 2nd restraint: 23.5 °C) compared with the TMC (females—1st restraint: 22.4 °C; 2nd restraint: 22.5 °C; males—1st restraint: 22.6 °C; 2nd restraint: 22.4 °C). The concentration of fecal corticosterone metabolites in the TMC (females—1st restraint: 1376 ng/g dry weight (DW); 2nd restraint: 2098 ng/g DW; males—1st restraint: 1030 ng/g DW; 2nd restraint: 1163 ng/g DW) was higher compared to control cage housing (females—1st restraint:
640 ng/g DW; 2nd restraint: 941 ng/g DW; males—1st restraint: 504 ng/g DW; 2nd restraint: 537 ng/g DW). Our results show the stress potential induced by metabolic cage restraint that is markedly influenced by the lower housing temperature. The IMC represents a first attempt to target cold stress reduction during metabolic cage application thereby producing more animal welfare friendly data.
The trace elements, selenium (Se) and copper (Cu) play an important role in maintaining normal brain function. Since they have essential functions as cofactors of enzymes or structural components of proteins, an optimal supply as well as a well-defined homeostatic regulation are crucial. Disturbances in trace element homeostasis affect the health status and contribute to the incidence and severity of various diseases. The brain in particular is vulnerable to oxidative stress due to its extensive oxygen consumption and high energy turnover, among other factors. As components of a number of antioxidant enzymes, both elements are involved in redox homeostasis. However, high concentrations are also associated with the occurrence of oxidative stress, which can induce cellular damage. Especially high Cu concentrations in some brain areas are associated with the development and progression of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). In contrast, reduced Se levels were measured in brains of AD patients. The opposing behavior of Cu and Se renders the study of these two trace elements as well as the interactions between them being particularly relevant and addressed in this work.
The knowledge of transformation pathways and identification of transformation products (TPs) of veterinary drugs is important for animal health, food, and environmental matters. The active agent Monensin (MON) belongs to the ionophore antibiotics and is widely used as a veterinary drug against coccidiosis in broiler farming. However, no electrochemically (EC) generated TPs of MON have been described so far. In this study, the online coupling of EC and mass spectrometry (MS) was used for the generation of oxidative TPs. EC-conditions were optimized with respect to working electrode material, solvent, modifier, and potential polarity. Subsequent LC/HRMS (liquid+ chromatography/high resolution mass spectrometry) and MS/MS experiments were performed to identify the structures of derived TPs by a suspected target analysis. The obtained EC-results were compared to TPs observed in metabolism tests with microsomes and hydrolysis experiments of MON. Five previously undescribed TPs of MON were identified in our EC/MS based study and one TP, which was already known from literature and found by a microsomal assay, could be confirmed. Two and three further TPs were found as products in microsomal tests and following hydrolysis, respectively. We found decarboxylation, O-demethylation and acid-catalyzed ring-opening reactions to be the major mechanisms of MON transformation