BioTeSys Logo
Nutritional CRO & test laboratory
biotesys

BioTeSys
publications.

BioTeSys ist active as speaker at public events and publishes scientific articles. You can find an overview of these publications here.

Publication: 15. January 2023

An exploratory study on the effect of choline and folate deficiency on levels of vascularization proteins and transcription factors in first trimester trophoblast HTR-8/SVneo cells

We studied the effect of choline and folate deficiencies on levels of predetermined placental proteins during early development. HTR-8/SVneo cells were incubated under choline and folate deficiency conditions and levels of some placental proteins were measured using ELISA methods. As a conlcusion, LRP2 and CDX2 are likely to be molecular targets for early choline and folate deficiencies in human trophoblast cells. The results should be confirmed in animal models and in other models of placental cells.

Publication: 22. December 2022

Association between Maternal Choline, Fetal Brain Development, and Child Neurocognition: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Human Studies

We studied associations between prenatal and early postnatal choline intake, brain development, and neurocognitive function of children. We conducted a systematic review followed by a meta-analysis and critical appraisal of human studies published from 1997 to 2021. Thirty publications were identified. The meta-analysis included 5 of 7 case-control studies studying neural tube defects (NTDs) in relation to maternal choline intakes/circulating concentrations. Despite limitations of available trials and observational studies, higher maternal choline intake was likely to be associated with better child neurocognition/neurodevelopment. The results should be used to guide choline intake recommendations in pregnancy and lactation, especially because most young women are not achieving the reference intake of choline.

Publication: 21. July 2022

Circulating cell-free DNA in health and disease — the relationship to health behaviours, ageing phenotypes and metabolomics

Circulating cell-free DNA (cf-DNA) has emerged as a promising biomarker of ageing, tissue damage and cellular stress. However, less is known about health behaviours, ageing phenotypes and metabolic processes that lead to elevated cf-DNA levels. We sought to analyse the relationship of circulating cf-DNA level to age, sex, smoking, physical activity, vegetable consumption, ageing phenotypes (physical functioning, the number of diseases, frailty) and an extensive panel of biomarkers including blood and urine metabolites and inflammatory markers in three human cohorts (N = 5385; 17–82 years). The relationships were assessed using correlation statistics, and linear and penalised regressions (the Lasso), also stratified by sex.

Publication: 28. May 2022

Synbiotic Compositions of Bacillus megaterium and Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Salt Enable Self-Sufficient Production of Specialized Pro-Resolving Mediators

Specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPM) have emerged as crucial lipid mediators that confer the inflammation-resolving effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA). To overcome the limitations of conventional n-3 PUFA supplementation strategies, we devised a composition enabling the self-sufficient production of SPM in vivo. A pilot study was performed to test if a synbiotic Bacillus megaterium/n-3 PUFA formulation increases SPM levels in vivo. Supplementation with a synbiotic capsule product led to significantly increased plasma levels of hydroxy-eicosapentaenoic acids (5-HEPE, 15-HEPE, 18-HEPE) and hydroxy-docosahexaenoic acids (4-HDHA, 7-HDHA) as well as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in healthy humans.

Publication: 02. May 2022

Enhanced Oral Bioavailability of β-Caryophyllene in Healthy Subjects Using the VESIsorb® Formulation Technology, a Novel Self-Emulsifying Drug Delivery System (SEDDS) 2

β-Caryophyllene (BCP), a common constituent of many spice and food plants, is gaining increased attention due to recent research identifying numerous potential health benefits. Due to limited oral bioavailability observed in preclinical models, the described benefits of BCP may be maximized by using a suitable delivery system. Additionally, human pharmacokinetics (PK) remain unknown. This study evaluates the relative oral bioavailability of BCP formulated in a self-emulsifying drug delivery system (SEDDS) based on VESIsorb® formulation technology (BCP-SEDDS) compared to BCP neat oil. Hence, a randomized, double-blind, cross-over design, single oral dose study (100 mg BCP) in 24 healthy subjects (12 men/12 women) was performed under fasting conditions. Pharmacokinetic parameters were analyzed from individual concentration-time curves. In conclusion, BCP-SEDDS offers a well-tolerated and effective oral delivery system to significantly enhance the oral bioavailability of BCP in humans.

Publication: 28. April 2022

UC-II® Undenatured Type II Collagen Reduces Knee Joint Discomfort and Improves Mobility in Healthy Subjects: A Randomized, Double- Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Study

Joint discomfort is a common issue in athletes and healthy, active individuals. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of UC-II® undenatured type II collagen (Undenatured Collagen) in managing knee joint discomfort and mobility in healthy subjects with Activity-related Joint Discomfort (ArJD). Subjects who reported knee pain of 5 on an 11-point Likert scale while performing a Single-Leg-Step-Down (SLSD) test were randomized to receive placebo (PLA, n=48), or Undenatured Collagen (n=48) for 24 weeks. In conclusion, the data suggests Undenatured Collagen reduces joint discomfort and improves mobility.

Publication: 04. April 2022

UC-II Undenatured Type II Collagen for Knee Joint Flexibility: A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Study

Joint-related stress models have been used in the past to induce a standardized load on physical structures, allowing researchers to observe changes in perceived stress on joints as accurately as possible in healthy individuals. Previous studies support the efficacy of UC-II® undenatured type II collagen ("undenatured collagen") supplementation in maintaining joint health. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of undenatured collagen on knee flexibility in healthy subjects who experience activity-related joint discomfort (ArJD). This randomized, double-blind, placebo (PLA)-controlled study was conducted in healthy subjects with ArJD who had no history of osteoarthritis, or joint diseases. Ninety-six (n = 96, 20-55 years old) subjects who reported joint discomfort while performing a standardized single-leg-step-down test were randomized to receive either PLA (n = 48) or 40 mg of undenatured collagen (n = 48) supplementation daily for 24 weeks. Range of motion (ROM) flexion and extension were measured using a digital goniometer. Overall, the results suggest that daily supplementation of 40 mg of undenatured collagen improved knee joint ROM flexibility and extensibility in healthy subjects with ArJD.

Publication: 29. December 2021

A Synbiotic Formulation Comprising Bacillus subtilis DSM 32315 and L-Alanyl-L-Glutamine Improves Intestinal Butyrate Levels and Lipid Metabolism in Healthy Humans

The gut microbiota is a crucial modulator of health effects elicited by food components, with SCFA (short chain fatty acids), especially butyrate, acting as important mediators thereof. We therefore developed a nutritional synbiotic composition targeted at shifting microbiome composition and activity towards butyrate production. An intestinal screening model was applied to identify probiotic Bacillus strains plus various amino acids and peptides with suitable effects on microbial butyrate producers and levels. A pilot study was performed to test if the synbiotic formulation could improve fecal butyrate levels in healthy humans. In conclusion, our study indicates that this synbiotic composition may provide an effective and safe tool for stimulation of intestinal butyrate production with effects on e.g., lipid and glucose homeostasis. Further investigations in larger cohorts are warranted to confirm and expand these findings.

Publication: 08. December 2021

Habitual Choline Intakes across the Childbearing Years: A Review

Choline is an important nutrient during the first 1000 days post conception due to its roles in brain function. An increasing number of studies have measured choline intakes at the population level. We collated the evidence focusing on habitual choline intakes in the preconceptual, pregnancy, and lactation life stages. We conducted a review including studies published from 2004 to 2021. Twenty-three relevant publications with an average choline intake range of 233 mg/day - 383 mg/day were selected. To conclude, during the childbearing years and across the globe, habitual intakes of choline from foods alone and foods and supplements combined appear to be consistently lower than the estimated adequate intakes for this target group. Urgent measures are needed to (1) improve the quality of choline data in global food composition databases, (2) encourage the reporting of choline intakes in dietary surveys, (3) raise awareness about the role(s) of choline in foetal-maternal health, and (4) consider formally advocating the use of choline supplements in women planning a pregnancy, pregnant, or lactating.

Publication: 30. November 2021

Do low molecular weight antioxidants contribute to the Protection against oxidative damage? The interrelation between oxidative stress and low molecular weight antioxidants based on data from the MARK-AGE study

Oxidative Stress (OS) is associated with (or/and caused by) excessive production of damaging reactive oxygen and/or nitrogen species (ROS, RNS), which play a role in many pathologies. Because OS is a risk factor for many diseases, much effort (and money) is devoted to early diagnosis and treatment of OS. The desired benefit of the "identify (OS) and treat (by low molecular weight antioxidants, LMWA)" approach is to enable selective treatment of patients under OS. The present work aims at gaining understanding of the benefit of the antioxidants based on interrelationship between the concentration of different OS biomarkers and LMWA. We studied the effects of 12 LMWA (including tocopherols, carotenoids and ascorbic acid) on the OS status, as observed with 8 biomarkers of oxidative damage (including malondialdehyde, protein carbonyls, 3-nitrotyrosine). In view of the results as well as the difficulty of quantitating the OS and the very different effects of various LMWA, the use of the "identify and treat" approach is questionable.