Browsing by Author "Gostner, Johanna M."
Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
Results Per Page
Sort Options
- Exploring Early Detection of Frailty Syndrome in Older Adults: Evaluation of Oxi-Immune Markers, Clinical Parameters and Modifiable Risk FactorsPublication . Teixeira-Gomes, Armanda; Laffon, Blanca; Valdiglesias, Vanessa; Gostner, Johanna M.; Felder, Thomas; Costa, Carla; Madureira, Joana; Fuchs, Dietmar; Teixeira, João Paulo; Costa, SolangeAgeing is accompanied with a decline in several physiological systems. Frailty is an age-related syndrome correlated to the loss of homeostasis and increased vulnerability to stressors, which is associated with increase in the risk of disability, comorbidity, hospitalisation, and death in older adults. The aim of this study was to understand the relationship between frailty syndrome, immune activation, and oxidative stress. Serum concentrations of vitamins A and E were also evaluated, as well as inflammatory biomarkers (CRP and IL-6) and oxidative DNA levels. A group of Portuguese older adults (≥65 years old) was engaged in this study and classified according to Fried's frailty phenotype. Significant increases in the inflammatory mediators (CRP and IL-6), neopterin levels, kynurenine to tryptophan ratio (Kyn/Trp), and phenylalanine to tyrosine ratio (Phe/Tyr), and significant decreases in Trp and Tyr concentrations were observed in the presence of frailty. IL-6, neopterin, and Kyn/Trp showed potential as predictable biomarkers of frailty syndrome. Several clinical parameters such as nutrition, dependency scales, and polypharmacy were related to frailty and, consequently, may influence the associations observed. Results obtained show a progressive immune activation and production of pro-inflammatory molecules in the presence of frailty, agreeing with the inflammageing model. Future research should include different dimensions of frailty, including psychological, social, biological, and environmental factors.
- New approach methodologies to enhance human health risk assessment of immunotoxic properties of chemicals - a PARC (Partnership for the Assessment of Risk from Chemicals) projectPublication . Snapkow, Igor; Smith, Nicola M.; Arnesdotter, Emma; Beekmann, Karsten; Blanc, Etienne B.; Braeuning, Albert; Corsini, Emanuela; Sollner Dolenc, Marija; Duivenvoorde, Loes P.M.; Sundstøl Eriksen, Gunnar; Franko, Nina; Galbiati, Valentina; Gostner, Johanna M.; Grova, Nathalie; Gutleb, Arno C.; Hargitai, Rita; Janssen, Aafke W.F.; Krapf, Solveig A.; Lindeman, Birgitte; Lumniczky, Katalin; Maddalon, Ambra; Mollerup, Steen; Parráková, Lucia; Pierzchalski, Arkadiusz; Pieters, Raymond H.H.; Silva, Maria Joao; Solhaug, Anita; Staal, Yvonne C.M.; Straumfors, Anne; Szatmári, Tünde; Turner, Jonathan D.; Vandebriel, Rob J.; Zenclussen, Ana Claudia; Barouki, RobertAs a complex system governing and interconnecting numerous functions within the human body, the immune system is unsurprisingly susceptible to the impact of toxic chemicals. Toxicants can influence the immune system through a multitude of mechanisms, resulting in immunosuppression, hypersensitivity, increased risk of autoimmune diseases and cancer development. At present, the regulatory assessment of the immunotoxicity of chemicals relies heavily on rodent models and a limited number of Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) test guidelines, which only capture a fraction of potential toxic properties. Due to this limitation, various authorities, including the World Health Organization and the European Food Safety Authority have highlighted the need for the development of novel approaches without the use of animals for immunotoxicity testing of chemicals. In this paper, we present a concise overview of ongoing efforts dedicated to developing and standardizing methodologies for a comprehensive characterization of the immunotoxic effects of chemicals, which are performed under the EU-funded Partnership for the Assessment of Risk from Chemicals (PARC).