[Lead pollution of drinking water in lower Saxony from corrosion of pipe materials]. / Die Bleibelastung des niedersächsischen Trinkwassers verursacht durch Korrosion von Rohrleitungsmaterialien.

BACKGROUND: The corrosion of drinking water pipe materials can release different elements into tap water. Especially important in this context is the heavy metal lead, which mainly leaches from the peripheral water distribution system. Lead is known to have numerous adverse effects especially to infants and children. AIM AND METHOD: The aim of this project was to assess the present state of drinking water contamination with lead in Lower Saxony and to promote the replacement of lead pipes. For this purpose a project was initiated comprising three parts. Firstly, a free examination of drinking water was offered in cooperation with local public health departments for private households with young women and families with children living in buildings constructed before 1974. Participants were asked to collect a cold tap water sample in their household after nocturnal stagnation and to complete a questionnaire. The collected samples were analysed by atomic absorption spectrometry for their lead concentration. Secondly, data from local public health departments on results of lead measurements, especially in buildings for the public, were collected and analysed. Finally, a working group 'lead replacement' consisting of representatives of all relevant parties (e.g., tenant and landlord associations, handicraft, building and health administration) was initiated. RESULTS: In the project in total 2,901 tap water samples from households were collected between the years 2005 and 2007. Of these, 7.5% had lead concentrations exceeding 10 microg/L (recommended limit of the World Health Organisation) and 3.3% had concentrations above the limit of the German drinking water ordinance (25 microg/L). There were remarkable regional differences in the frequency of tap water contamination. Multi-family houses were more frequently affected than single and double family houses. Additional data were collected in a preceding study in southern Lower Saxony. Of the 1 434 stagnation samples, 3.1% had lead concentrations greater than 10 microg/L and 0.6% had concentrations above the former limit of the German drinking water regulations of 40 microg/L.

Nutritional composition in different training stages in young female athletes (swimming) and association with leptin, IGF-1 and estradiol.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the interaction of serum leptin, IGF-1, estradiol and cortisol in salvia as well as IL-6 with nutritional composition in female athletes (swimming) according to the training protocol (competition (C), sprint (S), recreation (R), endurance (E)). DESIGN/METHODS: In 23 young (10-19 years old) female athletes (Bavarian swimming competition) in different training stages nutritional protocols were evaluated using standardized questionnaires. Body composition was measured by using analysis of bioimpedance. Estradiol, IGF-1, leptin and IL-6 in serum were measured by ELISA. To obtain circadian profiles of cortisol salvia probes were sampled at 4 h intervals and cortisol in saliva was measured. RESULTS: Daily intake of kilocalories varied significantly and was highest during R with the highest percentage of nutritional fat intake (37.3%) when compared to C (28.1%, p=0.001). BMI was associated with leptin in all training stages and IL-6 in R, C and E. Leptin, IGF-1 and cortisol in salvia were dependent on training stages while serum levels of estradiol were not. Nutritional fat intake (p=0.07 in R) as well as serum levels of IGF-1 (p=0.014 in E) were significantly associated with estradiol but not with serum leptin levels or salivary cortisol. CONCLUSIONS: In female athletes nutritional composition has an impact on serum hormones (leptin, IGF-1 as well as estradiol) and may be also on cytokines (IL-6). Leptin, IGF-1 and salivary cortisol levels represent the intensity of physical training and possibly overtraining. In our female athletes no findings indicative of female athlete triad could be demonstrated.

Serum levels of adiponectin are associated with diabetic retinopathy and with adiponectin gene mutations in Caucasian patients with diabetes mellitus type 2.

INTRODUCTION: Even diabetic patients with excellent glycemic control can develop diabetic complications very early. Possibly, not only the degree of glycemic control, but other factors as well are responsible for the development of diabetic microangiopathy. Since adiponectin represents an adipocyte-specific secretory protein modulating endothelial cell functions, it was the aim of the present study to investigate the role of adiponectin serum levels as well as adiponectin gene polymorphisms in the development of diabetic retinopathy. METHODS: A population based cohort of caucasian patients (n=523) with type 2 diabetes mellitus was recruited from an epidemiological field survey. Serum adiponectin levels were determined by ELISA. Genotypes of the Tyr111His and the Gly15Gly polymorphism were determined by PCR-based RFLP analysis. Diabetic retinopathy was graded by fundus photography. RESULTS: The data demonstrate, that a) the Tyr111His (T-->C) polymorphism influences adiponectin serum levels, b) adiponectin serum levels do correlate with the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy, and c) patients heterozygous for the +45 T-->G (Gly15Gly) polymorphism show a lower prevalence of diabetic retinopathy. Furthermore, we could generate the proof of principle that adiponectin is detectable in the fluid of the human vitreous body. SUMMARY: Adiponectin gene polymorphisms influence adiponectin serum levels and elevated adiponectin serum levels are associated with diabetic retinopathy in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2. Therefore, endothelial cell modulating adiponectin should be further investigated as a candidate gene in the development and progression of retinopathy associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Isolation and characterization of Legionella spp. and Pseudomonas spp. from greenhouse misting systems.

AIMS: Greenhouse misting systems used for watering plants produce fine aerosols. They are a possible cause for bacterial infections. This study investigates the colonization of greenhouse misting systems with Legionella spp. and Pseudomonas spp. and evaluates a possible health hazard. METHODS AND RESULTS: Between June and September 2003, a total of 80 water samples were collected in 20 different greenhouse systems in Germany, each tested on two different occasions. Each time, water was drawn at a central tap and at the outlet of spray nozzles. Sampled greenhouses were used to cultivate various plants and trees for commercial, recreational or scientific reasons, some of them in tropical conditions. Legionella spp. were detected in 10% of the systems (two systems), but only in low numbers. On the contrary, Pseudomonas spp. were recovered from 70% of the greenhouse watering systems (14 systems), occasionally at counts greater than 10,000 CFU per 100 ml. A random amplified polymorphic DNA polymerase chain reaction typing method was used to demonstrate that each colonized greenhouse had one or several individual strains of Legionella and Pseudomonas that could not be detected in any other system. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that aerosolizing greenhouse watering systems may be contaminated with Legionella or Pseudomonas which under certain circumstances could become a potential source of infection for workers and visitors. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The study results indicate that greenhouse misting systems should be included in Legionella and Pseudomonas monitoring and control programs.

Caucasian patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus have elevated levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 that are not influenced by the -2518 A-->G promoter polymorphism.

AIM: To investigate the association of serum levels and the -2518 A-->G promoter polymorphism of the gene for chemokine monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), a major chemoattractant of monocytes and activated lymphocytes, with metabolic parameters as well as insulin, leptin and the cytokines tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in 534 Caucasian patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: MCP-1 concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. MCP-1 genotyping was performed by RFLP analysis in a subset of 426 patients. RESULTS: Two hundred and thirty-one (54.2%) patients were homozygous for the wildtype allele (AA), 156 (36.6%) were heterozygous (AG) and 39 (9.2%) were homozygous for the mutated allele (GG). Allelic frequency was similar to non-diabetic populations (wildtype allele A: 0.73; mutated allele G: 0.27). MCP-1 mean concentrations and percentiles were substantially higher in non-diabetic populations but were not influenced by the genotype (AA: 662.0 +/- 323.0 pg/ml; AG: 730.6 +/- 491.4 pg/ml; GG: 641.2 +/- 323.8 pg/ml). MCP-1 serum levels and genotypes were only marginally related to hormones (insulin and leptin) and cytokines (TNF-alpha and IL-6). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study providing MCP-1 levels, percentiles and genotype frequency in a large and representative cohort of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Compared to the literature, MCP-1 levels were found to be substantially higher in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. In contrast, genotype frequencies were similar compared to those in non-diabetic patients and were not related to MCP-1 levels. The mechanisms behind these elevated MCP-1 serum levels in type 2 diabetes are not to be explained by simple associations with hormones, cytokines or genotypes.

Allelic frequency of the PAI-1 4G/5G promoter polymorphism in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and lack of association with PAI-1 plasma levels.

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) levels were found to be associated with obesity, indicating that adipocytes might influence PAI-1 plasma levels. In addition, the 4G/5G promoter polymorphism of the PAI-1 gene possibly modulates PAI-1 gene transcription and, as a consequence, PAI-1 plasma levels. Metabolic parameters, diabetes complications, PAI-1 plasma levels, and PAI-1 promoter genotypes were determined and were tested for correlation in 547 Caucasian patients with type 2 diabetes. Genotyping was performed by using allele-specific PCR, and PAI-1 plasma levels were measured in 547 well-characterized subjects with type 2 diabetes. The allelic frequencies of the polymorphism (0.56 for the 4G-genotype, 0.44 for the 5G-genotype) were not different from those observed in nondiabetic controls. The PAI-1 concentration was positively associated with MI, but not with the 4G/5G polymorphism. Statistical analysis of metabolic parameters, diabetic complications, and the 4G/5G polymorphism revealed that serum fibrinogen levels were significantly higher in the 4G/4G subgroup compared with the 4G/5G and 5G/5G subgroups. The correlation between serum fibrinogen and 4G allele remained significant, even when additional variables, such as gender, age, BMI, duration of diabetes, and HbA1c, were controlled. In patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, the PAI-1 4G/5G promoter polymorphism does not predict PAI-1 plasma levels and is not associated with common metabolic parameters besides fibrinogen levels.

Identification of variables influencing resistin serum levels in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Resistin, a peptide hormone, has been discussed controversially as a missing link between obesity and insulin resistance. In contrast to resistin mRNA expression in adipose tissue, data on human serum levels in obesity and diabetes mellitus is scarce. The physiological range of serum resistin levels, reference values or adjusted percentiles have not yet been determined, making the interpretation of serum resistin concentrations quite difficult. METHODS: Resistin serum concentrations were measured systematically by ELISA in 216 healthy controls, 555 patients with type 2 diabetes and 114 patients with type 1 diabetes. Mean values, median, and range were determined, and BMI-, gender-, and disease-adapted percentiles were calculated for all subgroups. RESULTS: Age and gender did not have any influence on resistin levels. BMI and resistin levels were positively correlated in healthy controls (p = 0.02), albeit with a weak correlation coefficient. This correlation was absent in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. In both genders, healthy controls had significantly higher resistin levels than patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes (7.9 +/- 0.2 ng/ml vs. 5.7 +/- 0.2 ng/ml and 5.5 +/- 0.1 ng/ml, respectively; p < 0.0001). There was no correlation between resistin levels and occurrence of diabetic retinopathy or nephropathy. CONCLUSIONS: Serum resistin levels can be measured by ELISA over a broad range from 0.6 ng/ml up to 27.7 ng/ml, suggesting that percentiles might be helpful in the interpretation of an individuals resistin value. While age and gender do not influence resistin levels, BMI and occurrence of diabetes have to be considered.

Identification of influencing variables on adiponectin serum levels in diabetes mellitus type 1 and type 2.

BACKGROUND: Adiponectin represents an adipocyte-specific secretory protein that has been discussed recently as candidate gene and promising new drug target to restore insulin sensitivity in diabetes mellitus type 2. AIM: The aim of the present study was to define influencing variables on adiponectin serum levels in a large cohort of caucasian patients with type 1/type 2 diabetes and healthy controls. Additionally, adiponectin gene polymorphisms (Tyr111His and Gly15Gly) were investigated for possible associations with adiponectin serum levels. METHODS: Adiponectin serum concentrations were measured in a metabolically well characterized cohort of 892 caucasian patients (556 with type 2 diabetes, 118 with type 1 diabetes, 218 controls) by ELISA. Gene polymorphisms were determined by PCR-based RFLP. RESULTS: 1) Adiponectin values are dependent on gender with higher levels in diabetic females than in diabetic males. This gender-specific effect was only restricted to patients with diabetes and cannot be observed in controls. 2) In contrast to previous studies, the presence of diabetes does not influence adiponectin serum levels after correction for BMI. In addition, age has no influence on adiponectin levels. 3) Adiponectin levels are dependent on renal function at a creatinine clearance < 45 ml/min. 4) Regression analysis showed a significant, but only weak correlation between BMI and adiponectin in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 (r = 0.47) and type 1 (r = 0.57). 5) Adiponectin gene polymorphisms (Tyr111His and Gly15Gly) do not influence adiponectin levels. CONCLUSIONS: Adiponectin serum concentrations can only be interpreted after careful correction for gender and renal function, whereas the genetic variants Tyr11His and Gly15Gly do not seem to play a role. The correlation between BMI and adiponectin was weaker than expected in diabetic patients.

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 promoter activity in adipocytes is not influenced by the 4 G/5 G promoter polymorphism and is regulated by a USF-1/2 binding site immediately preceding the polymorphic region.

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) levels were found to be associated with obesity indicating that adipocytes influence PAI-1 plasma levels. In addition, the 4 G/5 G promoter polymorphism of the PAI-1 gene may modulate PAI-1 transcription. We investigated the transcriptional regulation of the human PAI-1 gene in adipocytes and analyzed the genetic contribution of the 4 G/5 G polymorphism. The PAI-1 promoter was analyzed using electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs) and luciferase reporter gene assays. A putative binding site for the upstream stimulatory factor-1/2 (USF-1/2) at the polymorphic region of the PAI-1 promoter was identified. The binding of USF-1/2 was studied using nuclear extracts prepared from adipocytes and was similar in all the promoter variants as analyzed by EMSA. A 257 bp PAI-1 promoter fragment including the 4 G/5 G site was transcriptionally active in adipocytes and was not influenced by the polymorphism. The present data indicate for the first time that USF-1/2 is transcriptionally active in differentiated adipocytes. However, USF-1/2 binding activity and PAI-1 transcription are not influenced by the 4 G/5 G-allele. These data possibly explain the observation that PAI-1 secretion from adipose tissue is not influenced by the PAI-1 promoter polymorphism.

Alterations of cerebral metabolism in patients with diabetes mellitus studied by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

To evaluate possible pathophysiologic links between cerebral changes in diabetic patients detected by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy and clinical as well as laboratory parameters. The brains of 30 patients with diabetes mellitus and 30 healthy volunteers were examined using a STEAM sequence (TR 1500 ms, TE 20 ms). We measured in occipital gray matter and parietal white matter in a 1.5-Tesla magnet. Laboratory parameters were acquired before and after the examination. In diabetic patients a significant elevation of the myo-inositol/creatine ratio in gray and white matter was present (p = 0.006). Choline/creatine ratio in gray matter was elevated compared to normal controls (p = 0.002). No correlation with laboratory parameters was detected. Myo-inositol was even more elevated in patients with polyneuropathy (p = 0.024). No correlation with age or sex was detected. The changes found in diabetes are similar to those found in patients with Alzheimer's disease, dialysis, and after renal transplant, suggesting a similar etiology. Elevated myo-inositol may not only indicate osmolar changes in glial cells but also glial cell alteration due to amyloid or amylin deposition with formation of neurofibrillary tangles, especially as these changes are found in all of these diseases and no correlation to osmolar deterioration exists.

Adiponectin represents an independent cardiovascular risk factor predicting serum HDL-cholesterol levels in type 2 diabetes.

UNLABELLED: Low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol represent an independent cardiovascular risk factor and, besides reduced physical activity, mechanisms leading to decreased HDL-cholesterol levels are not known. We aimed to test the hypothesis, that adiponectin provides a missing link between type 2 diabetes and low levels of HDL-cholesterol, independent from common metabolic risk factors. 523 patients with type 2 diabetes were investigated for adiponectin serum levels and parameters of lipid metabolism. Even after correction for age, gender, BMI and fasting insulin concentration, serum levels of adiponectin were highly significant (P<0.0001) and positively (regression analysis: r=0.86) associated with HDL-cholesterol levels in type 2 diabetes. CONCLUSION: adiponectin seems to predict HDL-cholesterol levels in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2. Low levels of adiponectin are associated with low levels of HDL-cholesterol independently from common metabolic risk factors and therefore represent an independent cardiovascular risk factor in type 2 diabetes. Thus, adiponectin is a potentially new drug target in the treatment of dyslipidaemia.

Comparative studies on the properties of the extrinsic manganese-stabilizing protein from higher plants and of a synthetic peptide of its C-terminus.

The present study describes a comparative analysis on the fluorescence properties of the manganese-stabilizing protein (MSP), a synthetic peptide corresponding to its C terminus and a 7:1 (molar ratio) mixture of N-acetyl-tyrosine and N-acetyl-tryptophan, respectively, together with reconstitution experiments of oxygen evolution in MSP-depleted photosystem II (PS II) membrane fragments. It is found: (i) at neutral pH, the fluorescence from Trp(241) is strongly diminished in MSP solutions, whereas it highly dominates the overall emission from the C-terminus peptide; (ii) at alkaline pH, the emission of Tyr and Trp is quenched in both, MSP and C-terminus peptide, with increasing pH but the decline curve is shifted by about two pH units towards the alkaline region in MSP; (iii) a drastically different pattern emerges in the 7:1 mixture where the Trp emission even slightly increases at high pH; (iv) the anisotropy of the fluorescence emission is wavelength-independent (310-395 nm) and indicative of one emitter type (Trp) in the C-terminus peptide and of two emitter types (Tyr, Trp) in MSP; and (v) in MSP-depleted PS II membrane fragments the oxygen evolution is restored (up to 85% of untreated control) by rebinding of MSP but not by the C-terminus peptide, however, the presence of the latter diminishes the restoration effect of MSP. A quenching mechanism of Trp fluorescence by a next neighbored tyrosinate in the peptide chain is proposed and the relevance of the C terminus of MSP briefly discussed.

Definition and characterization of relative hypo- and hyperleptinemia in a large Caucasian population.

The adipocyte-derived hormone, leptin, has been implicated in the regulation of appetite, weight gain and glucose homeostasis as well as in liver fibrogenesis, hematopoiesis and immune function. No previous reports have clearly defined pathologically elevated or decreased serum leptin levels for Caucasian adults. The aim of this study was to define and characterize subjects with relative hyper- and hypoleptinemia in a large population-based German cohort. Percentiles of leptin levels by body mass index (BMI) were calculated from 4971 adult Germans, and the participants with leptin levels above the 95th and below the 5th percentile were defined as relatively hyperleptinemic and relatively hypoleptinemic, respectively, for their BMI. These participants were compared with the intermediate group with respect to anthropometric and clinical data and parameters of glucose and iron metabolism, lipid status, renal, adrenal and reproductive function. Relatively hyperleptinemic participants (HL) showed higher insulin, c-peptide, and total cholesterol levels than the hypoleptinemic subjects; in males, ferritin levels were higher and testosterone levels lower in the HL group. In conclusion, we report the first percentile curves for serum leptin by BMI in a large Caucasian population. Relatively low leptin values may be associated with a lower metabolic risk than relatively high serum leptin values.

Pro12Ala polymorphism in the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma2 (PPARgamma2) is associated with higher levels of total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol in male caucasian type 2 diabetes patients.

UNLABELLED: The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma2 (PPAR(gamma2)) represents the transcriptional master regulator of adipocyte differentiation and therefore has been suggested as candidate gene for the pathogenesis of obesity, type 2 diabetes and related metabolic disorders. Aim of our study was to determine the frequency of a missense point mutation within exon 2 of PPAR(gamma2), Pro12Ala, and its possible association with metabolic parameters as well as diabetic retinopathy (in a population-based sample of 560 (318 male ad 242 female) type 2 diabetic patients. Subsequent to genomic PCR amplification, the Hpa-II RFLP analysis was used for genotyping. RESULTS: 436 (77.9%) subjects were homozygous for the wildtype allele (Pro/Pro), 118 (21.1%) were heterozygous (Pro/Ala) and 6 (1.1%) were homozygous for the mutated allele (Ala/Ala). Genotype frequency was calculated to be 0.81 for the wildtype and 0.19 for the mutated allele. These frequencies did not differ from non-diabetic cohorts examined earlier. In contrast to females, total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol were significantly higher in males (Total cholesterol: 281.8 +/- 51.3 vs 253.1 +/- 49.8 mg/dl, p < 0.0001; LDL-cholesterol: 182.0 +/- 49.2 vs 155.6 +/- 42.0 mg/d, p < 0.0001) in the presence of the mutated allele as compared to the wildtype subgroup. No differences were found with respect to BMI, HbA1c, blood pressure and serum levels of leptin nor to prevalence of retinopathy. Pro12Ala polymorphism of PPAR(gamma2) gene is not associated with diabetic retinopathy but is associated with dyslipidemia in male type 2 diabetic patients.

Mutagenicity of Baltic seawater and the relation to certain chemical and microbiological parameters.

The presented work investigates the mutagenicity of seawater with regard to its distribution along the German Baltic Sea coastline. Further on in this paper the relationship between mutagenic activity and certain chemical, microbiological and physical parameters is analysed. Water samples were drawn from eight places between Eckernförde and Ribnitz-Damgarten. Seawater was concentrated using XAD-2/7 resin. Extracts of up to 3-l per plate were tested with the Salmonella mutagenesis assay employing the strains TA 98 and TA 100 with and without addition of S9-mixture for metabolic activation. Samples from Weissenhaus, Travemünde and Wismar demonstrated a mutagenic activity with the strain TA 98. Tested filter sediment was not mutagenic. The sum of six polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) concentrated by XAD resin and obtained by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were between 0.03 and 34.11 ng/l seawater. No correlation of measured mutagenicity and chemical or physical parameters could be established. The sampling place Wismar with one mutagenic sample had the highest number of colony forming units of Escherichia coli.

Early shifts of adrenal steroid synthesis before and after relief of short-term cholestasis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Chronic inflammatory diseases are characterised by a relative reduction of cortisol and adrenal androgens. The time point of appearance of these alterations is not known. Cholestasis may be a model of short-term inflammation to study early alterations of steroidogenesis. METHODS: We investigated 18 patients with cholestasis before and after therapeutic abolition of cholestasis (compared to nine control subjects, Co). RESULTS: Serum tumour necrosis factor (TNF) was increased in cholestatic patients as compared to Co (P at least <0.01). Co as compared to cholestatic patients without tumours had elevated levels of plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) but serum cortisol levels were similar. Levels of ACTH and DHEAS in relation to serum IL-6 or TNF were higher in Co as compared to the cholestatic subgroup without tumours, whereas serum cortisol in relation to these cytokines was similar. In both subgroups of cholestatic patients, we observed the typical inflammation-dependent shift of adrenal hormones into the direction of cortisol in relation to DHEAS. Cholestatic patients with malignant tumours demonstrated an intermediate response pattern. CONCLUSIONS: Short-term cholestasis for 5-12 days induced marked alterations of adrenal steroidogenesis which partly resemble the changes observed in chronic inflammatory diseases.

Gly15Gly polymorphism within the human adipocyte-specific apM-1gene but not Tyr111His polymorphism is associated with higher levels of cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol in caucasian patients with type 2 diabetes.

UNLABELLED: The recently described mutations within the human adipocyte-specific apM-1 gene might play a role in the pathogenesis of obesity, type 2 diabetes and related metabolic disorders. DESIGN: Frequency of apM-1 gene polymorphisms and their association with metabolic parameters was evaluated in a population-based sample of 556 type 2 (316 males / 240 females) diabetic patients. PCR-based RFLP analysis was performed in blood samples. The T --> G transition at nucleotide +45 within exon-2 [Gly15Gly] was detected with an allelic frequency of 0.91 for the wildtype allele and 0.09 for the mutated allele. The missense point mutation (TAC --> CAC) at nucleotide +331 within exon 3 [Tyr111His] was detected with an allelic frequency of 0.97 and 0.03, respectively. These frequencies did not differ from a non-diabetic cohort examined earlier. Concerning the Gly15Gly polymorphism, the TT-genotype was found in 457 (82.2%) and the TG-genotype in 99 (17.8%), concerning the Tyr111His polymorphism, TT-genotype was found in 525 (94.4) and TC-genotype in 31 (5.6%) of type 2 diabetic patients. In TG-genotype as compared to TT-genotype significantly more patients had LDL-serum levels in high LDL-classes (<150 mg/dl: 24.4% (TG) vs. 41.4% (TT), 150mg/dl to 190mg/dl: 40.0% (TG) vs. 33.9% (TT), >190 mg/l: 35.6% (TG) vs. 25.0% (TT); p = 0.010). No differences in serum levels of lipids were found in genotype-subgroups of the Tyr111His polymorphism. Thus, Gly15Gly polymorphism of apM-1 gene might play a role in dyslipidaemia in type 2 diabetic patients.

The process of aging changes the interplay of the immune, endocrine and nervous systems.

The immune, endocrine and nervous systems interact with each other by means of cytokines, hormones and neurotransmitters. Interaction is dependent on specific receptors and respective signaling pathways in target cells. During aging, changes occur on many levels of these global systems which depend on oxidative damage, non-enzymatic glycosylation, mitochondrial mutations, defects in cell cycle control, mitotic dysregulation, genome instability, telomere shortening and other chromosomal pathologies. An alteration of the numerical value of a parameter of one system can lead to changes of the numerical value of a variable of another system. In a non-linear dynamic process these changes can contribute to the aging phenotype. Although it is extremely difficult to dissect linear interrelations of three global systems during aging, this review attempts to identify some simple linear pathways. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that chronic inflammatory diseases may accelerate the aging process. This review also reveals that new statistical and computational methods are necessary to unravel the complexity of the aging process.

Lead contamination in tap water of households with children in Lower Saxony, Germany.

Lead has numerous acute and chronic adverse effects on human beings. This is especially true for infants and children. The main path of lead ingestion in children can be different according to housing and living situation. The intake of lead through drinking water is commonly due to metal corrosion. The users plumbing can be an important factor. In recent years, many lead pipes in Germany have been replaced by pipes made of an alternative material. The aim of this study is to assess the present state of drinking water contamination and the resulting exposure of infants to lead. For this purpose mothers of new-born babies were offered a free examination of their drinking water. After a written declaration of consent had been obtained and after the infant in question had reached an age of 3 months, a stagnation sample of cold tap-water after overnight stagnation together with a random daytime sample was obtained from the family. The collected samples were analysed by atomic absorption spectrometry for their lead concentration. In total, 1485 samples from households were collected. Of the 1434 stagnation samples, 3.1% had lead concentrations greater than 0.01 mg/l (recommended limit of the WHO) and 0.6% had concentrations above the limit of the German drinking water regulation (0.04 mg/l). The values for the 1474 random daytime samples were 2.1% above 0.01 mg/l and 0.2% greater than 0.04 mg/l, respectively. By region, the areas Bovenden, Friedland, Duderstadt, Northeim and Rosdorf were particularly affected. The highest measured concentrations of lead in the stagnation samples were 0.11 mg/l and 0.15 mg/l in the random daytime samples, respectively.

Frequency and significance of Pro12Ala and Pro115Gln polymorphism in gene for peroxisome proliferation-activated receptor-gamma regarding metabolic parameters in a Caucasian cohort.

Peroxisome proliferation-activated receptor-gamma2 (PPARgamma2) is exclusively expressed in adipose tissue and belongs to the transcriptional regulators of adipocyte differentiation. Recently, two missense single-point mutations have been described in the PPARgamma2 gene: Pro12Ala and Pro115Gln. It was our aim to determine the frequency of these polymorphisms in a Caucasian cohort and to investigate their possible role in the pathogenesis of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and related metabolic disorders. The genotypes of 359 subjects (149 males, 210 females) with varying degrees of obesity and with or without type 2 diabetes were determined. Subsequent to genomic polymerase chain reaction amplification, the HpaII restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis and the HindII RFLP analysis were used for genotyping the Pro12Ala and Pro115Gln polymorphism, respectively. For the Pro115Gln polymorphism, all 359 subjects showed wild-type sequence, emphasizing the very rare occurrence of the mutated allele. For the Pro12Ala polymorphism, 276 subjects (76.9%) were homozygous for the wild-type allele, 80 (22.3%) were heterozygous, and only 3 (0.8%) were homozygous for the mutated allele. Genotype frequency was calculated to be 0.88 for the wild-type allele and 0.012 for the mutated allele. No significant differences were found in age; gender; body mass index; total cholesterol; low-density, high-density, and very low density lipoproteins; triglycerides; Lp(a); uric acid; and diabetes manifestation by comparing the different genotypes. Therefore, a major role of these polymorphisms in the pathogenesis of obesity and diabetes can be excluded.