Metabolic Profiling Reveals Distinct Variations Linked to Nicotine Consumption in Humans — First Results from the KORA Study

Exposure to nicotine during smoking causes a multitude of metabolic changes that are poorly understood. We quantified and analyzed 198 metabolites in 283 serum samples from the human cohort KORA (Cooperative Health Research in the Region of Augsburg). Multivariate analysis of metabolic profiles revealed that the group of smokers could be clearly differentiated from the groups of former smokers and non-smokers. Moreover, 23 lipid metabolites were identified as nicotine-dependent biomarkers. The levels of these biomarkers are all up-regulated in smokers compared to those in former and non-smokers, except for three acyl-alkyl-phosphatidylcholines (e.g. plasmalogens). Consistently significant results were further found for the ratios of plasmalogens to diacyl-phosphatidylcolines, which are reduced in smokers and regulated by the enzyme alkylglycerone phosphate synthase (alkyl-DHAP) in both ether lipid and glycerophospholipid pathways. Notably, our metabolite profiles are consistent with the strong down-regulation of the gene for alkyl-DHAP (AGPS) in smokers that has been found in a study analyzing gene expression in human lung tissues. Our data suggest that smoking is associated with plasmalogen-deficiency disorders, caused by reduced or lack of activity of the peroxisomal enzyme alkyl-DHAP. Our findings provide new insight into the pathophysiology of smoking addiction. Activation of the enzyme alkyl-DHAP by small molecules may provide novel routes for therapy

Distributions of C-reactive protein measured by high- sensitivity assays in apparently healthy men and women from different populations in Europe

No abstract available

Entwicklung von Hilfs- und Pflegebeduerftigkeit bei 60 - 74jaehrigen Patienten nach Herzinfarkt Eine prospektive epidemiologische Studie. Abschlussbericht

Long-term is considered to be a major social medical problem in the elderly. Empirical data about mortality and functional deficits in every-day life is needed for service program management. To set up an example for chronically diseased persons, a follow-up study was conducted on elderly patients suffering from coronary heart disease. A total of 1710 probands who survived their myocardial infarction (MI) at an age of 60 to 74 years were recruted from the coronary event register in Augsburg. The probands were registered during 1985 to 1992 and followed in 1995. Thus, the observation time ranges from 2 to 10 years. 641 (37%) were decreased, 832 subjects (261 women, mean age 73.3; 571 men, mean age 71.9) were interviewed (netto response rate 79). The observed survival years per year estimated by the life table method were almost constant (93-95%), beside the first two years (90%). Surprisingly, the survival rates were not sex-related, but dependent on the age at the time of MI. About 60% out of the patients aged 60-64 (n=577) and 40% out of the persons aged 70-74 (n=567) survived at least 10 years. Being asked to describe their general status, about 80% of the age group 60-64 and 65% of the age group 70-74 rated their health status as at least fair, independently on the survival year. Women reported worse health appraisal than men. To assess the functional status, a questionnaire recommended by the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development was applied (OECD-Index). Apart from impaired hearing, all self-reported physical deficiencies occurred more often in women than in men. According to the OECD-definition, 44% of the subjects (57% of the females, 38% of the males) were classified to be disabled. The disabled probands differed from the not-disabled significantly in subjective complaints and major geriatric symptoms. In conclusion, among elderly MI survivors, subjective health appeared to be little affected, whereas the physical dysfunctions were remarkable. For service management and policy making, both health outcomes should be respected and therefore included as a minimal standard in health surveys. (orig.)SIGLEAvailable from TIB Hannover: DtF QN1(63,57) / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekBundesministerium fuer Bildung, Wissenschaft, Forschung und Technologie, Bonn (Germany)DEGerman