Réguler la prise alimentaire et la dépense énergétique permet en général de limiter d'importants changements de poids corporel. Hormones (leptine, ghréline, insuline) et nutriments sont impliqués dans ces régulations. La résistance à la leptine, souvent associée à l'obésité, limite la régulation de la prise alimentaire. La modélisation mathématique de la dynamique du poids contribue en particulier à une meilleure compréhension des mécanismes de régulation (notamment chez l’humain). Or les régulations hormonales sont largement ignorées dans les modèles existants.Dans cette thèse, nous considérons un modèle de régulation hormonale du poids appliqué aux rats, composé d'équations différentielles non-linéaires. Il décrit la dynamique de la prise alimentaire, du poids et de la dépense énergétique, régulés par la leptine, la ghréline et le glucose. Il reproduit et prédit l'évolution du poids et de la prise alimentaire chez des rats soumis à différents régimes hypocaloriques, et met en évidence l'adaptation de la dépense énergétique. Nous introduisons ensuite le premier modèle décrivant le développement de la résistance à la leptine, prenant en compte la régulation de la prise alimentaire par la leptine et ses récepteurs. Nous montrons que des perturbations de la prise alimentaire, ou de la concentration en leptine, peuvent rendre un individu sain résistant à la leptine et obèse. Enfin, nous présentons une simplification réaliste de la dynamique du poids dans ces modèles, permettant de construire un nouveau modèle combinant les deux modèles précédents / The regulation of food intake and energy expenditure usually limits important loss or gain of body weight. Hormones (leptin, ghrelin, insulin) and nutrients (glucose, triglycerides) are among the main regulators of food intake. Leptin is also involved in leptin resistance, often associated with obesity and characterized by a reduced efficacy to regulate food intake. Mathematical models describing the dynamics of body weight have been used to assist clinical weight loss interventions or to study an experimentally inaccessible phenomenon, such as starvation experiments in humans. Modeling of the effect of hormones on body weight has however been largely ignored.In this thesis, we first consider a model of body weight regulation by hormones in rats, made of nonlinear differential equations. It describes the dynamics of food intake, body weight and energy expenditure, regulated by leptin, ghrelin and glucose. It is able to reproduce and predict the evolution of body weight and food intake in rats submitted to different patterns of caloric restriction, showing the importance of the adaptation of energy expenditure. Second, we introduce the first model of leptin resistance development, based on the regulation of food intake by leptin and leptin receptors. We show that healthy individuals may become leptin resistant and obese due to perturbations in food intake or leptin concentration. Finally, modifications of these models are presented, characterized by simplified yet realistic body weight dynamics. The models prove able to fit the previous, as well as new sets of experimental data and allow to build a complete model combining both previous models regulatory mechanisms

Das Ziel der Arbeit war es, mittels biochemischer und molekulargenetischer Untersuchungen die Rolle des partiellen 21-Hydroxylase-Mangels in der Pathogenese des Polyzystischen Ovar Syndroms (PCOS) und des Ovariellen Überstimulationssyndroms (OHSS) zu beleuchten sowie ein charakteristisches biochemisches Profil für Patientinnen mit erhöhtem Risiko zur Ausbildung eines OHSS aufzudecken. In die Studie wurden 62 Patientinnen eingeschlossen, 23 Kontrollpersonen und 39 PCOS-Patientinnen, von denen 17 Patientinnen anamnestisch mindestens eine Episode eines OHSS aufwiesen. Umfangreiche biochemische Analysen dienten zur Bestimmung der partiellen 21-Hydroxylase-Insuffizienz, zur Untersuchung des Ursprungs des Androgenüberschusses (ACTH und LHRH-Test) und zur Charakterisierung des metabolischen Profils (Leptin, Insulin, SHBG, IGF-1). Zur Darstellung des Gentotyps führten wir die lückenlose Untersuchung des CYP21A2-Gens auf Mutationen und Polymorphismen durch. Die androgenen Steroide wiesen ein bei den PCOS-Patientinnen im Vergleich zu den Kontrollpatientinnen erhöhtes Niveau auf, ohne dass sich ein klare Unterscheidung zwischen adrenalem und ovariellem Ursprung abzeichnete. Bei den OHSS-Patientinnen dominierten die ovariellen Androgene. Die Leptinwerte waren in der PCOS-Gruppe erhöht, besonders bei den Patientinnen mit OHSS. Die Frequenz heterozygoter Punktmutationen lag in unserer PCOS-Gruppe mit 23% deutlich höher als in der Kontrollgruppe mit 8%. Es ergab sich kein signifikanter Unterschied zwischen PCOS-Patientinnen mit und ohne OHSS. Die Allelfrequenz der detektierten Polymorphismen unterschied sich nicht zwischen PCOS-Patientinnen und Kontrollen. Von insgesamt 17 Patientinnen mit biochemischen Auffälligkeiten waren 8 Trägerinnen einer heterozygoten Mutation. Im Gegensatz dazu wiesen nur 8 der 11 Patientinnen mit Punktmutation biochemische Abweichungen auf. Es ergab sich also nicht für jeden Fall eine eindeutige Genotyp-Phänotyp-Korrelation. / This study was designed to evaluate the possible role of partial 21-Hydroxylase Deficiency in the pathogenesis of the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and the Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) by means of biochemical and molecular genetic investigations, as well as to identify the biochemical profile typical of patients with an elevated risk of developing an OHSS. 62 female patients were included in the study, 23 controls and 39 PCOS patients. 17 of these had at least one anamnestic episode of OHSS. Extensive biochemical investigations were used to determine partial 21-OHase Deficiency as well as the source of the androgen excess (ACTH and LHRH tests) and to describe the metabolic profile (leptin, insulin, SHBG and IGF-1). For genotypic characterization, we screened the CYP21A2 gene for any mutation or polymorphism. Androgens were elevated in the PCOS group without a clear differentiation into adrenal or ovarian origin. Amongst patients with OHSS, the ovarian androgens were dominant. Higher leptin levels were measured in the PCOS group, especially in patients with OHSS. The frequency of heterozygous point mutations was 23% in our PCOS group, compared to 8% amongst control patients. There was no relevant difference between PCOS patients with or without an OHSS. The frequency of polymorphisms did not differ between the groups. We found relevant heterozygous point mutations in 8 of the 17 patients with biochemical deviations. In contrast to this only 8 of the 11 patients with point mutations showed biochemical derangements indicating no clear Genotype-Phenotyp-correlation.

Angiogenese, die Bildung neuer Blutgefäße aus bereits bestehender Vaskulatur, ist ein Prozeß, der sowohl unter physiologischen Bedingungen abläuft, wie bei der Embryonalentwicklung und der Wundheilung, als auch unter pathologischen Bedingungen, wie der diabetischen Retinopathie und dem Wachstum und der Metastasierung solider Tumoren. Chronische Entzündungen wie die Atherosklerose und die Rheumatoide Arthritis gehen ebenfalls mit angiogenetischen Prozessen einher. Die Angiogenese ist ein stark regulierter Vorgang, der Migration, Proliferation und Differenzierung der Endothelzellen erfordert. Die Fähigkeit zur Migration ist eine wichtige biologische Funktion der Endothelzellen. Das Ziel dieser Arbeit bestand daher in der Untersuchung der Einflüsse verschiedener Zytokine auf die Endothelzellmigration und in der Charakterisierung daran beteiligter Mechanismen der Signaltransduktion. Dabei erwies sch Leptin als ein potenter Stimulus der Endothelzellmigration. Die Migration endothelialer Zellen nach Stimulation mit chemotaktischen Faktoren wie Leptin und VEGF wird durch die Aktivierung der Proteinkinasen ERK-MAPK und Akt vermittelt, deren pharmakologische Inhibition eine signifikante Hemmung der Migration bewirkte. Die antidiabetischen Thiazolidinedione Troglitazone und Ciglitazone hemmten die Leptin-induzierte Endothelzellmigration durch die Inhibition der Proteinkinase Akt, hatten aber keinen Einfluß auf die Aktivierung der ERK-MAP-Kinase. Dieses Ergebnis zeigt, dass die ERK-MAP-Kinase und die Proteinkinase Akt zwei voneinander unabängige Wege der Signaltransduktion darstellen, deren jeweilige Aktivierung für die Migration von Endothelzellen erforderlich, aber nicht ausreichend ist. Die proinflammatorischen Mediatoren TNF alpha und CD40L hemmten die VEGF-induzierte Migration humaner Endothelzellen bei Inkubation der untersuchten Zellen über 24 h signifikant. Auch bei kurzzeitiger Stimulation über 5 h steigerte TNF alpha die Rate migrierter Endothelzellen nicht. Diese Beobachtung steht im Widerspruch zur angenommen Assoziation entzündlicher und angiogenetischer Prozesse. In der vorliegenden Arbeit wird zum ersten Mal gezeigt, dass Antidiabetika aus der Gruppe der PPAR gamma-Liganden die Endothelzellmigration direkt hemmen. Dies weist auf eine mögliche Erweiterung des therapeutischen Einsatzes der Thiazilodinedione bei Patienten mit NIDDM und sekundären Symptomen wie der diabetischen Retinopathie hin. / Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels from the preexisting vasculature, is a process involved in physiologic conditions, such as embryonic development and woundhealing, as well as in pathologic conditions, such as diabetic retinopathy and growth and spreading of solid tumors. Chronic inflammation such as atherosclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis is also associated with angiogenic processes. Angiogenesis is a tightly regulated process that requires migration, proliferation and differentiation of endothelial cells. Cell migration is a very important biologic function of the endothelial cell. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate the impact of various cytokines on endothelial cell migration and to characterize the chemotactic signal transduction pathways involved in this process. Leptin, the product of the ob-gene, proved to be a potent stimulus of endothelial cell migration. The actvation of the protein kinases ERK-MAPK and Akt is critical for endothelial cell migration, and their pharmacological inhibition caused a significant down-regulation of the migratory response towards migration factors such as Leptin and VEGF. The antidiabetic thiazolidinediones Troglitazone and Ciglitazone inhibited the leptin-induced endothelial cell migration by interfering with the cytosolic protein kinase Akt. They did not exert any influence on the activation of the ERK-MAPK. These findings prove the existence of two different, independent ways of signal transduction involved in endothelial cell migration: The ERK-MAPK and the protein kinase Akt. The activation of either kinase is necessary, but not sufficient to induce a migratory response in human endothelial cells. The proinflammatory mediators TNF alpha and CD40L caused a significant inhibition of endothelial cell migration in response to VEGF, when they were added to the culture medium for 24 h. TNF alpha did not stimulate the migration of endothelial cells, even when administered during a comparable short period of 5 h. This observation is in contrast with the postulated association of inflammatory and angiogenic proceses. In conclusion, the results of this study show for the first time a direct inhibition of leptin-induced endothelial cell migration by antidiabetic drugs belonging to the PPAR gamma-ligand-family through their inhibitory effect on Akt. This possibly broadens the spectrum of therapeutic applications of the antidiabetic thiazolidinediones in patients suffering from NIDDM and secondary complications such as diabetic retinopathy.

In der Nutztierhaltung besitzt die Erkennung und Vermeidung von Geburtsstörungen beim Rind insbesondere aus ökonomischer Sicht einen hohen Stellenwert. Bei Hochleistungskühen können Schwergeburten eine erhöhte metabolische Belastung im peripartalen Zeitraum reflektieren. Besonders betroffen sind Färsen und Milchkühe mit einer negativen Energiebilanz. Hormon- und Stoffwechselfaktoren sind von zentraler Bedeutung für die Anpassung der Tiere an Veränderungen ihrer Körpermasse und -konstitution. Zur differenzierten Beurteilung metabolischer Belastungen bei Hochleistungskühen im peripartalen Zeitraum wurden mögliche Zusammenhänge zwischen Geburtsverlauf und den stoffwechselrelevanten Parametern Leptin, Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) und freien Fettsäuren (FFS) untersucht. Die vorliegende Studie umfasste 28 adulte, hochträchtige (13 primipare, 15 pluripare) Kühe mit Normal- bzw. Schwergeburt. Die Kälber wurden analog zu ihren Müttern ebenfalls 4  Gruppen (Kuhkalb/Normalgeburt; Kuhkalb/Schwergeburt; Färsenkalb/Normalgeburt; Färsenkalb/Schwergeburt) zugeordnet. Die Analyse von Leptin, IGF-1 und FFS im Blutserum erfolgte zwischen dem 16./14. Tag ante partum (a. p.) und dem 14. Tag post partum (p. p.). Leptin und IGF-1 wurden zusätzlich bei den neugeborenen Kälbern ab der Geburt bis 14 Tage p. p. gemessen. Die Hormonkonzentrationen wurden mittels eines Enzymimmunoassays bestimmt. Die FFS-Analysen erfolgten im Labor der Medizinischen Tierklinik mit dem Labor-Automaten HITACHI 912 i (Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Mannheim). Unabhängig vom Geburtsverlauf konnten während des gesamten Untersuchungszeitraums bezüglich der Leptinkonzentrationen keine signifikanten Unterschiede zwischen Färsen und Milchkühen festgestellt werden. Vor allem zur Geburt besteht für alle Erstkalbinnen eine erhöhte metabolische Belastung, da deren IGF-1-Konzentrationen zu diesem Zeitpunkt niedriger (114 ±  40 vs. 158 ±  108 ng/ml) und deren FFS-Konzentrationen signifikant höher lagen (896 ±  273 vs. 705 ±  225 µmol/l, p = 0,05) als bei den Milchkühen. Im Vergleich zu den Kälbern von Milchkühen wiesen Kälber von Färsen 12 Stunden nach der Geburt signifikant höhere IGF-1-Werte (p = 0,05) auf. In Abhängigkeit vom Geburtsverlauf lagen die Leptinwerte bei allen Kühen mit Schwergeburt von Beginn der Untersuchungen bis einen Tag vor der Geburt niedriger als bei den Tiere mit Normalgeburt mit signifikanten Unterschieden am 13. bis 11. Tag a. p. (p = 0,009) und am 7. bis 5. Tag a. p. (p = 0,05). Während des gesamten Untersuchungszeitraums waren keine signifikanten Unterschiede in den Konzentrationen an IGF-1 und FFS zwischen allen Muttertieren mit einem normalen und einem erschwerten Geburtsverlauf festzustellen. Bei pluriparen Kühen mit Schwergeburt wurden im gesamten Untersuchungszeitraum niedrigere Leptinspiegel nachgewiesen als bei Tieren mit Normalgeburt, mit signifikanten Unterschieden a. p. und ab 3. Tag p. p. (p < 0,05 bzw. p < 0,01). Darüber hinaus fanden sich bei pluriparen Kühen mit Dystokie ab der Geburt höhere FFS-Konzentrationen mit signifikanten Unterschieden zur Kalbung (p = 0,05). Die Leptinkonzentrationen der Kälber lagen analog zu den dazugehörigen Muttertieren ab der Geburt bis 14. Tag p. p. bei allen Kälbern von pluriparen Kühen mit Schwergeburt niedriger als bei den normal geborenen Kälbern mit signifikanten Unterschieden am 7. Tag p. p. (p = 0,04). Im Vergleich zu den Färsen mit Normalgeburt hatten diejenigen mit Schwergeburt signifikant höhere Leptinwerte vom 3. bis 14. Tag p. p. (p = 0,004), signifikant niedrigere IGF-1-Konzentrationen am 10. bis 8. Tag a. p., zur Geburt und vom 3. Tag bis 14. Tag p. p. (jeweils p < 0,01) sowie postpartal niedrigere FFS-Konzentrationen mit signifikanten Unterschieden 12 Stunden p. p. (p = 0,008). Kälber von Färsen mit gestörtem Geburtsverlauf wiesen im Vergleich zu den Normalgeburtskälbern 12 Stunden nach der Geburt signifikant niedrigere IGF-1-Werte (p = 0,005) auf. Die vorliegende Studie verdeutlicht den Zusammenhang zwischen einem gestörten Geburtsablauf und veränderten Serumkonzentrationen an Leptin, IGF-1 und FFS. Damit konnte gezeigt werden, dass diese Parameter zur Interpretation von Stoffwechselstörungen bei Hochleistungskühen im peripartalen Zeitraum geeignet sind. / For livestock management, the identification and prevention of dystocia in cattle is of high significance, especially from an economic point of view. Dystocia in the high-yield cows may reflect an increased metabolic disorder during the peripartal period. Heifers and dairy cows with a negative energy balance are particularly affected. For the adaptation of animals to changes in their body mass and constitution, endocrine and metabolic factors are of central importance. To perform a differentiated assessment of metabolic disorders in high-yield cows during the peripartal period, possible relationships between calving and relevant parameters (leptin, insulin-like growth factor1 [IGF-1] and non-esterified fatty acids [NEFA]) were examined. The present study involved 28 adult high-pregnant (13 primiparous, 15 pluriparous) cows with normal birth and dystocia, respectively. Analogous to their mothers, the calves were likewise categorized into four groups (cow calve/ normal birth; cow calve/ dystocia; heifer calve/ normal birth; heifer calve/ dystocia). The analyses of leptin, IGF-1 and NEFA in blood serum were performed from 16/14 day ante-partum (a. p.) to day 14 post-partum (p. p.). Leptin and IGF-1 were additionally determined in all newborn calves from birth to 14 days p. p. Hormone concentrations were measured by enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Analyses of NEFA in dairy cows and heifers were carried out using HITACHI 912i device (Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Mannheim) at the laboratory of Large Animal Clinic for Internal Medicine. Independent of course of parturition, no significant differences between heifers and dairy cows were noticed concerning serum leptin during the entire examination period. Especially around calving time, all heifers were more intensively affected with metabolic disorders based on their lower IGF-1 values (114 ±  40 vs. 158 ±  108 ng/ml) as well as significantly higher NEFA (896 ±  273 vs. 705 ±  225 µmol/l, p = 0.05) compared to dairy cows. Calves of heifers had significantly higher IGF-1 values 12 hours after birth (p = 0.005) than calves of dairy cows. Dependent of course of parturition, all cows with dystocia displayed lower leptin concentrations from the beginning of the examination period to 1 day a. p compared to animals with normal calving with significant differences from day 13 to day 11 a. p. (p = 0.009) and from day 7 to day 5 a. p. (p = 0.05). During the entire examination period, no significant differences in the concentrations of IGF-1 and NEFA were found between all cows with a normal and difficult parturition. In pluriparous cows with difficult parturition lower leptin levels were detected during the entire examination period than in animals with normal calving with significant differences a. p. and from day 3 to day 14 p. p. (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively). Furthermore, higher NEFA concentrations were found from birth until 14 days p. p. in pluriparous cows with dystocia and significant differences at calving (p = 0.05). Calves of pluriparous cows with dystocia had p. p. lower leptin concentrations in comparison to those with normal births with significant differences on day 7 p. p. (p = 0.04). In comparison to heifers with normal birth, those with dystocia displayed significantly higher leptin levels in the period from day 3 to day 14 p. p. (p = 0.004), significantly lower IGF-1 concentrations (from day 10 to day 8 a. p., at birth and from day 3 to day 14 p. p.; each p < 0.01), as well as lower NEFA levels after birth with significant differences 12 hours p. p. (p = 0.008). Heifer calves with difficult parturition presented significantly lower IGF-1 values 12 hours p. p. (p = 0.005) in comparison to those with normal births. The present study underlines the relationship between dystocia and changed serum concentrations of leptin, IGF-1 and NEFA. In summary, it can be concluded that these parameters are suitable for interpretation of metabolic disorders in high-yielding cattle during peripartal period.

In der Nutztierhaltung besitzt die Erkennung und Vermeidung von Geburtsstörungen beim Rind insbesondere aus ökonomischer Sicht einen hohen Stellenwert. Bei Hochleistungskühen können Schwergeburten eine erhöhte metabolische Belastung im peripartalen Zeitraum reflektieren. Besonders betroffen sind Färsen und Milchkühe mit einer negativen Energiebilanz. Hormon- und Stoffwechselfaktoren sind von zentraler Bedeutung für die Anpassung der Tiere an Veränderungen ihrer Körpermasse und -konstitution. Zur differenzierten Beurteilung metabolischer Belastungen bei Hochleistungskühen im peripartalen Zeitraum wurden mögliche Zusammenhänge zwischen Geburtsverlauf und den stoffwechselrelevanten Parametern Leptin, Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) und freien Fettsäuren (FFS) untersucht. Die vorliegende Studie umfasste 28 adulte, hochträchtige (13 primipare, 15 pluripare) Kühe mit Normal- bzw. Schwergeburt. Die Kälber wurden analog zu ihren Müttern ebenfalls 4  Gruppen (Kuhkalb/Normalgeburt; Kuhkalb/Schwergeburt; Färsenkalb/Normalgeburt; Färsenkalb/Schwergeburt) zugeordnet. Die Analyse von Leptin, IGF-1 und FFS im Blutserum erfolgte zwischen dem 16./14. Tag ante partum (a. p.) und dem 14. Tag post partum (p. p.). Leptin und IGF-1 wurden zusätzlich bei den neugeborenen Kälbern ab der Geburt bis 14 Tage p. p. gemessen. Die Hormonkonzentrationen wurden mittels eines Enzymimmunoassays bestimmt. Die FFS-Analysen erfolgten im Labor der Medizinischen Tierklinik mit dem Labor-Automaten HITACHI 912 i (Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Mannheim). Unabhängig vom Geburtsverlauf konnten während des gesamten Untersuchungszeitraums bezüglich der Leptinkonzentrationen keine signifikanten Unterschiede zwischen Färsen und Milchkühen festgestellt werden. Vor allem zur Geburt besteht für alle Erstkalbinnen eine erhöhte metabolische Belastung, da deren IGF-1-Konzentrationen zu diesem Zeitpunkt niedriger (114 ±  40 vs. 158 ± 108 ng/ml) und deren FFS-Konzentrationen signifikant höher lagen (896 ±  273 vs. 705 ±  225 µmol/l, p = 0,05) als bei den Milchkühen. Im Vergleich zu den Kälbern von Milchkühen wiesen Kälber von Färsen 12 Stunden nach der Geburt signifikant höhere IGF-1-Werte (p = 0,05) auf. In Abhängigkeit vom Geburtsverlauf lagen die Leptinwerte bei allen Kühen mit Schwergeburt von Beginn der Untersuchungen bis einen Tag vor der Geburt niedriger als bei den Tiere mit Normalgeburt mit signifikanten Unterschieden am 13. bis 11. Tag a. p. (p = 0,009) und am 7. bis 5. Tag a. p. (p = 0,05). Während des gesamten Untersuchungszeitraums waren keine signifikanten Unterschiede in den Konzentrationen an IGF-1 und FFS zwischen allen Muttertieren mit einem normalen und einem erschwerten Geburtsverlauf festzustellen. Bei pluriparen Kühen mit Schwergeburt wurden im gesamten Untersuchungszeitraum niedrigere Leptinspiegel nachgewiesen als bei Tieren mit Normalgeburt, mit signifikanten Unterschieden a. p. und ab 3. Tag p. p. (p < 0,05 bzw. p < 0,01). Darüber hinaus fanden sich bei pluriparen Kühen mit Dystokie ab der Geburt höhere FFS-Konzentrationen mit signifikanten Unterschieden zur Kalbung (p = 0,05). Die Leptinkonzentrationen der Kälber lagen analog zu den dazugehörigen Muttertieren ab der Geburt bis 14. Tag p. p. bei allen Kälbern von pluriparen Kühen mit Schwergeburt niedriger als bei den normal geborenen Kälbern mit signifikanten Unterschieden am 7. Tag p. p. (p = 0,04). Im Vergleich zu den Färsen mit Normalgeburt hatten diejenigen mit Schwergeburt signifikant höhere Leptinwerte vom 3. bis 14. Tag p. p. (p = 0,004), signifikant niedrigere IGF-1-Konzentrationen am 10. bis 8. Tag a. p., zur Geburt und vom 3. Tag bis 14. Tag p. p. (jeweils p < 0,01) sowie postpartal niedrigere FFS-Konzentrationen mit signifikanten Unterschieden 12 Stunden p. p. (p = 0,008). Kälber von Färsen mit gestörtem Geburtsverlauf wiesen im Vergleich zu den Normalgeburts-kälbern 12 Stunden nach der Geburt signifikant niedrigere IGF-1-Werte (p = 0,005) auf. Die vorliegende Studie verdeutlicht den Zusammenhang zwischen einem gestörten Geburtsablauf und veränderten Serumkonzentrationen an Leptin, IGF-1 und FFS. Damit konnte gezeigt werden, dass diese Parameter zur Interpretation von Stoff-wechselstörungen bei Hochleistungskühen im peripartalen Zeitraum geeignet sind. / For livestock management, the identification and prevention of dystocia in cattle is of high significance, especially from an economic point of view. Dystocia in the high-yield cows may reflect an increased metabolic disorder during the peripartal period. Heifers and dairy cows with a negative energy balance are particularly affected. For the adaptation of animals to changes in their body mass and constitution, endocrine and metabolic factors are of central importance. To perform a differentiated assessment of metabolic disorders in high-yield cows during the peripartal period, possible relationships between calving and relevant parameters (leptin, insulin-like growth factor1 [IGF-1] and non-esterified fatty acids [NEFA]) were examined. The present study involved 28 adult high-pregnant (13 primiparous, 15 pluriparous) cows with normal birth and dystocia, respectively. Analogous to their mothers, the calves were likewise categorized into four groups (cow calve/ normal birth; cow calve/ dystocia; heifer calve/ normal birth; heifer calve/ dystocia). The analyses of leptin, IGF-1 and NEFA in blood serum were performed from 16/14 day ante-partum (a. p.) to day 14 post-partum (p. p.). Leptin and IGF-1 were additionally determined in all newborn calves from birth to 14 days p. p. Hormone concentrations were measured by enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Analyses of NEFA in dairy cows and heifers were carried out using HITACHI 912i device (Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Mannheim) at the laboratory of Large Animal Clinic for Internal Medicine. Independent of course of parturition, no significant differences between heifers and dairy cows were noticed concerning serum leptin during the entire examination period. Especially around calving time, all heifers were more intensively affected with metabolic disorders based on their lower IGF-1 values (114 ± 40 vs. 158 ± 108 ng/ml) as well as significantly higher NEFA (896 ± 273 vs. 705 ± 225 µmol/l, p = 0.05) compared to dairy cows. Calves of heifers had significantly higher IGF-1 values 12 hours after birth (p = 0.005) than calves of dairy cows. Dependent of course of parturition, all cows with dystocia displayed lower leptin concentrations from the beginning of the examination period to 1 day a. p compared to animals with normal calving with significant differences from day 13 to day 11 a. p. (p = 0.009) and from day 7 to day 5 a. p. (p = 0.05). During the entire examination period, no significant differences in the concentrations of IGF-1 and NEFA were found between all cows with a normal and difficult parturition. In pluriparous cows with difficult parturition lower leptin levels were detected during the entire examination period than in animals with normal calving with significant differences a. p. and from day 3 to day 14 p. p. (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively). Furthermore, higher NEFA concentrations were found from birth until 14 days p. p. in pluriparous cows with dystocia and significant differences at calving (p = 0.05). Calves of pluriparous cows with dystocia had p. p. lower leptin concentrations in comparison to those with normal births with significant differences on day 7 p. p. (p = 0.04). In comparison to heifers with normal birth, those with dystocia displayed significantly higher leptin levels in the period from day 3 to day 14 p. p. (p = 0.004), significantly lower IGF-1 concentrations (from day 10 to day 8 a. p., at birth and from day 3 to day 14 p. p.; each p < 0.01), as well as lower NEFA levels after birth with significant differences 12 hours p. p. (p = 0.008). Heifer calves with difficult parturition presented significantly lower IGF-1 values 12 hours p. p. (p = 0.005) in comparison to those with normal births. The present study underlines the relationship between dystocia and changed serum concentrations of leptin, IGF-1 and NEFA. In summary, it can be concluded that these parameters are suitable for interpretation of metabolic disorders in high-yielding cattle during peripartal period.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Factors released from coronary perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT), which surrounds large coronary arteries, have been implicated in the development of coronary disease. However, the precise contribution of coronary PVAT-derived factors to the initiation and progression of coronary vascular dysfunction remains ill defined. Accordingly, this investigation was designed to delineate the mechanisms by which PVAT-derived factors influence obesity-induced coronary smooth muscle dysfunction. Isometric tension studies of coronary arteries from lean and obese swine demonstrated that both lean and obese coronary PVAT attenuate vasodilation via inhibitory effects on smooth muscle K+ channels. Specifically, lean coronary PVAT attenuated KCa and KV7 channel-mediated dilation, whereas obese coronary PVAT impaired KATP channel-mediated dilation. Importantly, these effects were independent of alterations in underlying smooth muscle function in obese arteries. The PVAT-derived factor calpastatin impaired adenosine dilation in lean but not obese arteries, suggesting that alterations in specific factors may contribute to the development of smooth muscle dysfunction. Further studies tested the hypothesis that leptin, which is expressed in coronary PVAT and is upregulated in obesity, acts as an upstream mediator of coronary smooth muscle dysfunction. Long-term administration (3 day culture) of obese concentrations of leptin markedly altered the coronary artery proteome, favoring pathways associated with calcium signaling and cellular proliferation. Isometric tension studies demonstrated that short-term (30 min) exposure to leptin potentiated depolarization-induced contraction of coronary arteries and that this effect was augmented following longer-term leptin administration (3 days). Inhibition of Rho kinase reduced leptin-mediated increases in coronary artery contractions. Acute treatment was associated with increased Rho kinase activity, whereas longer-term exposure was associated with increases in Rho kinase protein abundance. Alterations in Rho kinase signaling were also associated with leptin-mediated increases in coronary vascular smooth muscle proliferation. These findings provide novel mechanistic evidence linking coronary PVAT with vascular dysfunction and further support a role for coronary PVAT in the pathogenesis of coronary disease.

Background and aims: Leptin resistance or leptin signalling deficiency are associated with increased risk of diabetic cardiomyopathy and heart failure, which is a leading cause of obesity- and diabetes type 2 (T2DM)-related morbidity and mortality. Various metabolic disturbances are involved in this pathogenesis, such as elevated glucose and fatty acid levels, insulin resistance and altered myocardial substrate utilization. Rodent models provided useful insights into the underlying molecular mechanisms of obese- and T2DM-associated cardiometabolic diseases, however, they cannot fully recapitulate the disease phenotype of obese or T2DM patients. The aims of this study were to study the effect of leptin receptor (LEPR) mutations on the leptin-mediated signalling pathways in human cardiomyocytes, and to investigate glucose and fatty acid metabolism in the heart under (patho)physiological conditions. Methods and results: To study the role of LEPR in human cardiomyocytes (CMs), human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CMs) were used as a model. In the first part of this study, LEPR expression and function was investigated in wild type (WT)-iPSC-CMs by PCR and Western Blot. LEPR protein expression was almost not detectable in iPSCs and during early cardiac differentiation stages, however mRNA LEPR expression was comparable in the different steps of cardiac development. Importantly, LEPR protein expression was observed in WT-iPSC-CMs at the maturation stages, indicating that LEPR plays an important role in matured CMs. Thanks to CRISPR/Cas9 technology, LEPR mutations were introduced into iPSCs. Among the several clones obtained, 1B2 LEPRΔ/Δ-iPSC line was fully characterized and showed normal capacity to differentiate into spontaneously beating CMs. Although the B27 medium represents a well-established medium to cultivate iPSC-CMs, it has limitations for studying CM metabolism due to its high concentration of insulin and glucose, but low concentration of fatty acids. Physiological medium condition (F2) including physiological range of glucose, insulin and fatty acids was found to be fundamental to study LEPR signalling pathway in iPSC-CMs. Western blot analysis showed functional LEPR downstream pathway activation in WT-iPSC-CMs, while the absence of LEPR function was demonstrated in LEPRΔ/Δ-iPSC-CMs cultured in F2 medium. Moreover, improved medium condition, offered by the F2 medium, ameliorates insulin sensitivity as result of increased insulin-dependent AKT phosphorylation in WT-iPSC-CMs, while loss of LEPR function was associated with downregulation of insulin pathway activation. Additionally, leptin direct effect was observed on the regulation of glucose metabolism in WT-iPSC-CMs by reducing glycolytic fluxes, which was not observed in LEPRΔ/Δ-iPSC-CMs, as measured by 13C-isotope-assisted glucose metabolic flux. These data indicate that the signalling interaction between insulin and leptin is important in regulation of glucose metabolism and is abolished in LEPRΔ/Δ-iPSC-CMs. The matured WT-iPSC-CMs in F2 medium display adult CM-like metabolic phenotype such as enhanced mitochondrial respiration and glycolytic function, as measured by Seahorse analyser, compared to the same group cultured in the B27 medium. The mutation generated in LEPRΔ/Δ-iPSC-CMs caused an “energy starvation” status which led to increased AMPK phosphorylation compared to the WT group in B27 medium, which was associated with lower mitochondrial oxygen consumption rate (OCR) linked basal respiration and ATP production. In the next part of this study, the long-term leptin treatment of iPSC-CMs under physiological medium conditions in the presence of physiological range of insulin, glucose, and fatty acids (F2+) influenced LEPR downstream pathway activation such as JAK2 and AMPK suggesting a leptin-dependent role in fatty acid uptake and oxidation in WT-iPSC-CMs. On the contrary, leptin did not affect JAK2 and AMPK activation in LEPRΔ/Δ-iPSC-CMs. Culturing of (WT)-iPSC-CMs in F2+ medium demonstrated no significant difference in mitochondrial oxygen consumption, while slightly lower glycolysis and glycolytic capacity was observed. However, a leptin effect on fatty acid and glucose metabolism was observed in LEPR∆/∆-iPSC-CMs, which is independent from LEPR downstream regulation. To study the effect of high leptin levels, a medium mimicking some of the diabetic hallmarks, such as high glucose, high insulin, and high leptin levels, was used. Metabolic flexibility was observed in WT-iPSC-CMs in F3+ medium as showed by no difference in mitochondrial function in WT-iPSC-CMs in the presence or absence of high leptin. In contrast, LEPRΔ/Δ-iPSC-CMs in F3+ medium demostrated higher OCR compared to F2 medium, which is accompanied by lower glycolysis and glycolytic capacity, indicating the incapability of LEPRΔ/Δ-iPSC-CMs to use glucose as energy source, as measured by Seahorse analysis. Conclusion and outlook: Taken together, this study demonstrates the importance of leptin and LEPR at the late stage of CM maturation and the fundamental role of metabolic medium condition including physiological range of glucose and fatty acid to study the role of leptin in iPSC-CMs. In addition, LEPRΔ/Δ-iPSC-CMs in diabetic condition (F3+) represent a suitable model to investigate leptin-dependent cardiac metabolism, resulting in increased mitochondrial oxygen consumption and decreased glycolytic function, resembling the condition known in obesity-related T2DM patients. Further studies should focus on the regulation of the metabolic switch between glucose and fatty acid utilization in the absence of a functional LEPR. Understanding the contribution of leptin/LEPR signalling in human CM metabolism will shed light on novel therapeutic approaches to treat diabetic cardiomyopathy.

No description available.

Master of Science / Department of Animal Sciences and Industry / Twig T. Marston / One hundred ninety-three crossbred steers from two herds were used to determine the association of leptin gene polymorphisms and effects of feedlot management of lean and fat steers on carcass performance. Steers were sorted into FAT and LEAN groups by ultrasound backfat at weaning and randomly assigned to a finishing phase. Steers were assigned to a backgrounding phase (BACK) and were fed a forage-based diet for 90 days or directly entered a feedlot phase (FEED). Genotypes were determined by IGENITY® (Atlanta, GA) for a panel of nine single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the leptin gene (UASMS1, UASMS2, C963T, E2FB, A1457G, and A252T), leptin receptor (T945M), growth hormone receptor (G200A), and fat metabolism enzyme (K232A). Initial backfat (BF) means for the FAT and LEAN group were 3.4 mm and 1.8 mm, respectively. Mean on-test weight was heavier for FAT (306.5 kg) than LEAN (292.9 kg). Age-adjusted hot carcass weights (HCWT) were heavier for LEAN/BACK when compared to FAT/FEED and FAT/BACK (P<0.05). Dressing percent for the FAT/FEED group tended to be higher (P<0.10) over all groups except LEAN/BACK. Steers that went directly to the feedlot had higher marbling scores than backgrounded groups. FAT/FEED had higher 12th rib BF than the other contemporaries. None of the SNPs were useful for predicting ultrasound BF at weaning. Some association was detected with UASMS2 and HCWT (P<0.10) resulting in an 11 kg difference between genotype CC and CT (P<0.05). Five of the leptin polymorphisms (UASMS1, UASMS2, A1457G, C963T, and E2FB) were associated with adjusted carcass BF (P=0.01, 0.06, 0.01, 0.01, and 0.01, respectively) and calculated yield grade (P<0.01). A252T was associated with REA, and genotype TT was larger than AA and AT (P<0.05). This study suggests that segregation by initial fatness estimates and feedlot management strategies has the opportunity to increase HCWT by 35 kg. Sorting cattle upon feedlot entry by ultrasound BF and segregation using genetic markers are useful tools that can assist in the estimation of carcass composition in the live animal. With additional research, the possibility exists to incorporate genetic markers into feedlot selection to assist in marketing decisions.

No description available.