Nutritional Physiology

Trace element analysis with Total Reflection X-ray Fluorescence (TXRF; Bruker)

Image: Jens Meyer (University of Jena)

Research topic(s)

Our research is mainly focused on the analysis of essential trace elements such as selenium, copper, and zinc and their interactions. The supply with essential trace elements is modulated by nutritional habits but is also changing during life-time and aging. These changes can substantially contribute to the aging process as they modulate the immune response and can thus affect inflammaging. The other way around, inflammatory mediators can modulate e.g. iron homeostasis resulting in age-dependent anemia. In addition to inflammation, the trace element homeostasis is also modulated in cancer patients. Whether this contributes to the process of carcinogenesis is still a matter of debate. Based on this, we aim to study the molecular mechanisms of such interactions by focusing on redox modulated processes.

Methods

Determination of trace element concentrations by TXRF (in human serum as well as in model organisms and cells)
Feeding studies in miceMolecular biological methods (qPCR, Western Blot, enzyme activity measurements)
Immune histochemistry
Cell culture models

Selected Publications

Wandt VK, Winkelbeiner N, Lossow K, Kopp JF, Schwarz M, Alker W, Nicolai M, Simon L, Dietzele C, Zimmermann S, Hertel B, Pohl G, Ebert F, Schomburg L, Haase H, Bornhorst J, Kipp AP*, Schwerdtle T*. (2021) Aging-associated effects of a long-term dietary modulation of four trace elements in miceExternal link. Redox Biol, 46:102083 (*equal contribution)

Schwarz M, Lossow K, Schirl K, Hackler J, Kopp JF, Renko K, Schwerdtle T, Schomburg L, Kipp AP. (2020) Copper interferes with selenoprotein synthesis and activityExternal link. Redox Biol, 37:101746

Lossow K*, Kopp J*, Schwarz M, Finke H, Winkelbeiner NL, Renko K, Meci X, Ott C, Alker W, Hackler J, Grune T, Schomburg L, Haase H, Schwerdtle T*, Kipp AP*. (2020) Aging affects sex- and organ-specific trace element profiles in mice. External linkAging (Albany, NY), 12:13762-13790 (*equal contribution)

Koeberle SC, Gollowitzer A, Laoukili J, Kranenburg O, Werz O, Koeberle A, Kipp AP. (2020) Distinct and overlapping functions of glutathione peroxidases 1 and 2 in limiting NF-κB-driven inflammation through redox-active mechanismsExternal link. Redox Biol, 28:101388

Baudry J, Kopp JF, Boeing H, Kipp AP, Schwerdtle T, Schulze MB. (2019) Changes of trace element status during aging: results of the EPIC-Potsdam cohort studyExternal link. Eur J Nutr, 59(7):3045-3058