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Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is common in Metabolic Syndrome and type 2 diabetes (T2DM), driven by energy imbalance, saturated fats and simple carbohydrates. NAFLD requires screening and monitoring for late complications. Liver fat indices may predict NAFLD avoiding expensive or invasive gold-standard methods, but they are poorly validated for use in interventional settings. Recent data indicate a particular insensitivity to weight-independent liver fat reduction. We evaluated 31 T2DM patients, completing a randomized intervention study on isocaloric high-protein diets. We assessed anthropometric measures, intrahepatic lipid (IHL) content and serum liver enzymes, allowing AUROC calculations as well as cross-sectional and longitudinal Spearman correlations between the fatty liver index, the NAFLD-liver fat score, the Hepatosteatosis Index, and IHL. At baseline, all indices predicted NAFLD with moderate accuracy (AUROC 0.731–0.770), supported by correlation analyses. Diet-induced IHL changes weakly correlated with changes of waist circumference, but no other index component or the indices themselves. Liver fat indices may help to easily detect NAFLD, allowing cost-effective allocation of further diagnostics to patients at high risk. IHL reduction by weight-independent diets is not reflected by a proportional change in liver fat scores. Further research on the development of treatment-sensitive indices is required.Trial registration: The trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02402985.

Increased animal but not plant protein intake has been associated with increased mortality in epidemiological studies in humans and with reduced lifespan in animal species. Protein intake increases the activity of the IGF-1 system which may provide a link to reduced lifespan. We, therefore, compared the effects of animal versus plant protein intake on circulating levels of IGF-1 and the IGF-binding proteins (IGFBP)-1 and IGFBP-2 over a 6-week period. Thirty seven participants with type 2 diabetes consumed isocaloric diets composed of either 30% energy (EN) animal or plant protein, 30% EN fat and 40% EN carbohydrates for 6 weeks. The participants were clinically phenotyped before and at the end of the study. Both diets induced similar and significant increases of IGF-1 which was unaffected by the different amino acid compositions of plant and animal protein. Despite improvements of insulin sensitivity and major reductions of liver fat, IGFBP2 decreased with both diets while IGFBP-1 was not altered. We conclude that animal and plant protein similarly increase IGF-1 bioavailability while improving metabolic parameters and may be regarded as equivalent in this regard.

Summary Background & aims Pro-inflammatory biomarkers are well-established contributors to insulin resistance and represent valid targets for diabetes management and prevention. Yet, little is known whether nutrition could play a role in modulating various aspects of immune-inflammatory responses. Our aim is to assess the effect of isocaloric animal and plant protein dietary interventions on selected biomarkers representing various immune-inflammatory pathways. Methods We enrolled 37 participants with type 2 diabetes (age 64 ± 6 years, body mass index 30.2 ± 3.6 kg/m2, glycated hemoglobin 7.0 ± 0.6%) who underwent an either high-animal protein (AP) or high-plant protein (PP) diet (30 E% protein, 40 E% carbohydrates, 30 E% fat) for 6-weeks. Clinical examinations were performed at beginning and end of the study. Levels of pro-inflammatory adipokines [chemerin, progranulin], cytokines [tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR), transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1)], and proteins [calprotectin, lactoferrin and growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15)] were determined in blood serum using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results Chemerin and progranulin concentrations decreased following AP and PP diets. TGF-β1 increased in AP and decreased in PP, whereas calprotectin increased in PP and decreased in AP. No statistically significant differences in the concentrations of IL-6, TNF-α, suPAR, lactoferrin and GDF-15 could be seen in either of the protein diet arms. Conclusions These results suggest that both AP and PP diets may effectively reduce the levels of the pro-inflammatory adipokines chemerin and progranulin. The effects on the additional immune-inflammatory biomarkers seem to be more complex. Clinical trial registry number NCT02402985 ( ww.clinicaltrials.gov ).

Background:Nutritional interventions in morbidly obese individuals that effectively reverse pro-inflammatory state and prevent obesity-associated medical complications are highly warranted. Our aim was to evaluate the effect of high- (HP) or low- (LP) protein diets on circulating immune-inflammatory biomarkers, includingC-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a), interleukin-10 (IL-10), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1),chemerin, omentin, leptin, total adiponectin, high molecular weight adiponectin and fetuin-A.Methods:18 people with morbid obesity were matched into two hypocaloric diet groups: HP (30E% protein, n=8) and LP (10E% protein, n=10) for three weeks.Biomarkers were measured pre-post intervention.We used linear mixed-effects models to investigate differences of least squares means for biomarkers, adjusted for age, sex, BMI, and baseline value.Results:Consuming HP or LP diets resulted in reduced CRP(HP: -2.2 ± 1.0 mg/l, LP: -2.3 ± 0.9 mg/l) and chemerin (HP: -17.9 ± 8.6 ng/ml, LP: -20.0 ± 7.4 ng/ml). People following the LP diet showed decreased leptin (-19.2± 6.0 ng/ml), IL-6 (-0.4 ± 0.1pg/ml) and increased total adiponectin (1.6 ± 0.6µg/ml). Changes were observed for remaining biomarkers yetto a smaller degree.Conclusions:These data suggest LP dietsmodulatea wider range of immune-inflammatory biomarkers compared to HP diets in morbidly obese individuals.Larger trials are needed to allow firm conclusions on the suggested effects.Trial registration: DRKS00009509. Registered 25 January 2016 – Retrospectively registered, www.drks.de

Background and aims Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is becoming increasingly prevalent and nutrition intervention remains the most important therapeutic approach for NAFLD. Our aim was to investigate whether low- (LP) or high-protein (HP) diets are more effective in reducing liver fat and reversing NAFLD and which mechanisms are involved. Methods 19 participants with morbid obesity undergoing bariatric surgery were randomized into two hypocaloric (1500-1600 kcal/day) diet groups, a low protein (10E% protein) and a high protein (30E% protein), for three weeks prior to surgery. Intrahepatic lipid levels (IHL) and serum fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) were measured before and after the dietary intervention. Autophagy flux, histology, mitochondrial activity, and gene expression analyses were performed in liver samples collected during surgery. Results IHL levels decreased by 42.6% in the HP group, but were not significantly changed in the LP group despite similar weight loss. Hepatic autophagy flux and serum FGF21 increased by 66.7% and 42.2%, respectively, after 3 weeks in the LP group only. Expression levels of fat uptake and lipid biosynthesis genes were lower in the HP group compared with those in the LP group. RNA-seq analysis revealed lower activity of inflammatory pathways upon HP diet. Hepatic mitochondrial activity and expression of β-oxidation genes did not increase in the HP group. Conclusions HP diet more effectively reduces hepatic fat than LP diet despite of lower autophagy and FGF21. Our data suggest that liver fat reduction upon HP diets result primarily from suppression of fat uptake and lipid biosynthesis.

Multi-element determination in human samples is very challenging. Especially in human intervention studies sample volumes are often limited to a few microliters and due to the high number of samples a high-throughput is indispensable. Here, we present a state-of-the-art ICP-MS/MS-based method for the analysis of essential (trace) elements, namely Mg, Ca, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mo, Se and I, as well as food-relevant toxic elements such as As and Cd. The developed method was validated regarding linearity of the calibration curves, method LODs and LOQs, selectivity and trueness as well as precision. The established reliable method was applied to quantify the element serum concentrations of participants of a human intervention study (LeguAN). The participants received isocaloric diets, either rich in plant protein or in animal protein. While the serum concentrations of Mg and Mo increased in participants receiving the plant protein-based diet (above all legumes), the Se concentration in serum decreased. In contrast, the animal protein-based diet, rich in meat and dairy products, resulted in an increased Se concentration in serum.

The gastric inhibitory polypeptide receptor (GIPR) regulates postprandial metabolism. In this context GIPR SNP rs10423928 seems toplay an important role in modulating glucose metabolism and insulinsensitivity. However, evidence regarding thisparticular SNP is still vague.In this study, we collected baseline data from four different dietaryintervention studies. We genotyped 424 subjects with prediabetes and 73with diabetes for GIPR SNP rs10423928 and examined its impact on glucosemetabolism, insulin sensitivity and body fat accumulation.We extended previous data by showing that carriers of the A allele withprediabetes displayed increased fasting glucose (p = 0.015). Unexpectedly,A allele carriers showed lower glucose levels 2 h (p = 0.021) after anoral glucose challenge compared to T/T homozygous individuals. A allelecarriers also showed significantly higher insulin sensitivity (p < 0.001)(assessed by Cederholm Index), indicating an enhanced beta-cell response.This study points to a potential protective role for rs10423928 inglucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity in subjects with prediabetes.Further studies are necessary to confirm these results.

Nutritional interventions in morbidly obese individuals that effectively reverse a pro-inflammatory state and prevent obesity-associated medical complications are highly warranted. Our aim was to evaluate the effect of high (HP) or low (LP) protein diets on circulating immune-inflammatory biomarkers, including C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a), interleukin-10 (IL-10), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), chemerin, omentin, leptin, total adiponectin, high molecular weight adiponectin, and fetuin-A. With this aim, 18 people with morbid obesity were matched into two hypocaloric groups: HP (30E% protein, n = 8) and LP (10E% protein, n = 10) for three weeks. Biomarkers were measured pre and post intervention and linear mixed-effects models were used to investigate differences. Consuming HP or LP diets resulted in reduced CRP (HP: &minus, 2.2 &plusmn, 1.0 mg/L, LP: &minus, 2.3 &plusmn, 0.9 mg/L) and chemerin (HP: &minus, 17.9 &plusmn, 8.6 ng/mL, LP: &minus, 20.0 &plusmn, 7.4 ng/mL), with no statistically significant differences by diet arm. Participants following the LP diet showed a more pronounced decrease in leptin (&minus, 19.2 &plusmn, 6.0 ng/mL) and IL-6 (&minus, 0.4 &plusmn, 0.1 pg/mL) and an increase in total adiponectin (1.6 &plusmn, 0.6 &micro, g/mL). Changes were also observed for the remaining biomarkers to a smaller degree by the HP than the LP hypocaloric diet, suggesting that a LP hypocaloric diet modulates a wider range of immune inflammatory biomarkers in morbidly obese individuals.

High-protein diet is a promising strategy for diabetes treatment supporting body weight control, improving glycaemic status, cardiovascular risk factors and reducing liver fat. Here, we investigated effects of diets high in animal (AP) or plant (PP) protein on oxidative stress and antioxidant status in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). 37 obese individuals (age 64.3 ± 1.0 years) with T2DM were randomized to an isocaloric diet (30 energy(E)% protein, 30 E% fat and 40 E% carbohydrates) rich in AP or PP for 6 weeks. Markers of oxidative and nitrosative stress and antioxidant status in plasma and nitrate/nitrite levels in urine were assessed. Gene expression in subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) was analysed by RNA-Seq and real-time PCR. Both AP and PP diets similarly reduced plasma levels of malondialdehyde (PAP = 0.003, PPP = 1.6 × 10−4) and protein carbonyls (PAP = 1.2 × 10−4, PPP = 3.0 × 10−5) over 6 weeks. Nitrotyrosine (NT) increased upon both AP and PP diets (PAP = 0.005, PPP = 0.004). SAT expression of genes involved in nitric oxide (NO) and oxidative stress metabolism and urine NO metabolite (nitrate/nitrite) levels were not changed upon both diets. Plasma levels of carotenoids increased upon PP diet, whereas retinol, alpha- and gamma-tocopherol slightly decreased upon both diets. AP and PP diets similarly improve oxidative stress but increase nitrosative stress markers in individuals with T2DM. Mechanisms of the NT regulation upon high-protein diets need further investigation., Graphical abstract Image 1, Highlights • Effects of 6-week isocaloric diets high in animal (AP) or plant (PP) protein in subjects with type 2 diabetes were studied. • AP and PP diets reduced plasma levels of malondialdehyde and protein carbonyls and increased nitrotyrosine. • Expression of genes of nitric oxide (NO) and oxidative stress metabolism and urine NO metabolite levels were not changed. • Plasma retinol and tocopherol decreased upon both diets, and carotenoids increased upon PP diet.

Background The modulating mechanism of fatty acids on angiotensin-converting enzyme production (ACE) in human adipocytes is still elusive. Diet-induced regulation of the renin angiotensin system is thought to be involved in obesity and hypertension, and several previous studies have used mouse cell lines such as 3T3-L1 to investigate this. This study was carried out in human subcutaneous adipocytes for better understanding of the mechanism. Methods Human adipose stem cells were isolated from subcutaneous adipose tissue biopsies collected from four patients during bariatric surgery and differentiated into mature adipocytes. The mRNA expression and the activity of ACE were measured under different stimuli in cell cultures. Results Arachidonic acid (AA) decreased ACE mRNA expression and ACE activity in a dose-dependent manner while palmitic acid had no effect. The decrease of ACE by 100 µM AA was reversed by the addition of 5 µM nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) inhibitor. Furthermore, when the production of 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid, a metabolite of AA, was stopped by the specific inhibitor HET0016 (10 µM) in the culture media, the effect of AA was blocked. Conclusions This study indicated that AA can decrease the expression and activity of ACE in cultured human adipocytes, via an inflammatory NF-κB-dependent pathway. Blocking 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid attenuated the ACE-decreasing effects of AA.

Background A diet in which fat is mainly eaten in the morning and carbohydrates mainly in the evening (compared with the reverse order) was recently shown to worsen glycemic control in people with prediabetes. Objective We investigated the effects of these dietary patterns on energy metabolism, and on the daily profiles of circulating lipids, adipokines, and inflammatory markers. Design In a randomized controlled crossover trial, 29 nonobese men (with normal glucose tolerance, n = 18; or impaired fasting glucose/glucose tolerance, n = 11) underwent 2 isocaloric 4-wk diets: 1) carbohydrate-rich meals until 1330 and fat-rich meals between 1630 and 2200 (HC/HF); or 2) the inverse sequence of meals (HF/HC). During a 12-h clinical investigation day after each intervention period, 2 meal tolerance tests were performed, at 0900 and 1540, respectively. Substrate oxidation and concentrations of circulating lipids, adipokines, and cytokines were assessed pre- and postprandially. The postprandial inflammatory response in leukocytes was analyzed ex vivo. Results Fasting carbohydrate oxidation decreased (P = 0.004) and lipid oxidation increased (P = 0.012) after the HC/HF diet. Fasting concentrations of blood markers did not differ between diets. The diets modulated the daily profiles of carbohydrate oxidation, lipid oxidation, and β-hydroxybutyrate, although the average daily values of these parameters showed no difference between the diets, and no interaction between diet and glucose tolerance status. Diurnal patterns of triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, leptin, visfatin, and of LPS-induced cytokine secretion in blood leukocytes were also modulated by the diets. Average daily concentrations of leptin (P = 0.017) and visfatin (P = 0.041) were lower on the HF/HC diet than on the HC/HF diet. Conclusions Diurnal distribution of carbohydrates and fat affects the daily profiles of substrate oxidation, circulating lipids, and cytokine secretion, and alters the average daily concentrations of adipokine secretion in nonobese nondiabetic humans. The study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02487576.

Drawing on social cognition frameworks, we experimentally examined preservice teachers' implicit attitudes toward students with special educational needs (SEN) from different ethnic backgrounds and preservice teachers' explicit attitudes toward inclusive education. Preservice teachers (N = 46) completed an evaluative priming task and questionnaires. Results showed indifferent implicit attitudes toward students with SEN with immigrant backgrounds and positive implicit attitudes toward those without immigrant backgrounds. Furthermore, participants reported a high motivation to act without prejudice toward minorities but held less favorable explicit attitudes toward inclusion of students with SEN, especially students with behavioral problems. Differential patterns of implicit and explicit evaluations could bias teachers' interactions with students. Findings are discussed with respect to implications for educational practice and research.

Aims/hypothesis: Wingless-type (Wnt) inducible signalling pathway protein-1 (WISP1) has been recently identified as a proinflammatory adipokine. We examined whether WISP1 expression and circulating levels are altered in type 2 diabetes and whether WISP1 affects insulin signalling in muscle cells and hepatocytes. Methods: Serum and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) biopsies, for analysis of circulating WISP1 levels by ELISA and WISP1 mRNA expression by real-time quantitative RT-PCR, were collected from normal-weight men (control group, n = 33) and obese men with (n = 46) and without type 2 diabetes (n = 56) undergoing surgery. Following incubation of primary human skeletal muscle cells (hSkMCs) and murine AML12 hepatocytes with WISP1 and insulin, insulin signalling was analysed by western blotting. The effect of WISP1 on insulin-stimulated glycogen synthesis and gluconeogenesis was investigated in hSkMCs and murine hepatocytes, respectively. Results: Circulating WISP1 levels were higher in obese men (independent of diabetes status) than in normal-weight men (mean [95% CI]: 70.8 [55.2, 86.4] ng/l vs 42.6 [28.5, 56.6] ng/l, respectively; p

Background Meal composition regulates the postprandial response of pancreatic and gastrointestinal hormones and plays an important role in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Proteins have glucagon and insulinotropic effects, which may differ depending on amino acid composition, form of intake, and rate of digestibility and absorption. Objective The aim of this study was to test effects of isolated pea protein-based (PP) compared with casein protein-based (CP) meals differing in amino acid compositions on endocrine responses to meal tolerance tests (MTTs) in patients with T2D. Design Thirty-seven individuals with T2D [mean ± SD age: 64 ± 6 y; mean ± SD body mass index (kg/m2): 30.2 ± 3.6; mean ± SD glycated hemoglobin: 7.0% ± 0.6%] were randomly assigned to receive either high-animal-protein (∼80% of total protein) or high-plant-protein (∼72% of total protein) diets (30% of energy from protein, 40% of energy from carbohydrate, 30% of energy from fat) for 6 wk. MTTs were performed at study onset and after 6 wk. Participants received standardized high-protein (30% of energy) meals 2 times/d containing either CP-rich (∼85% wt:wt) or PP-rich (∼95% wt:wt) foods. Results The CP and PP meals produced differences in insulin, C-peptide, glucagon, and glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP) release. Total areas under the curve after CP were significantly lower than after the PP lunch by 40% for insulin and 23% for glucagon. Indexes of insulin sensitivity and secretion were significantly improved for the second CP MTT. This was accompanied by differential rates of appearance of amino acids. The ingestion of PP resulted in significant increases in amino acids after both meals, with a decline between meals. By contrast, CP intake resulted in increases in most amino acids after breakfast, which remained elevated but did not increase further after lunch. Conclusions PP elicits greater postprandial increases in glucagon than does CP and consequently requires higher insulin to control glucose metabolism, which appears to be related to the rate of amino acid appearance. The metabolic impact of protein quality could be used as a strategy to lower insulin needs in patients with T2D. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02402985.

WNT1 inducible signaling pathway protein 1 (WISP-1/CCN4) is a novel adipokine, which is upregulated in obesity, and induces a pro-inflammatory response in macrophages in-vitro. Preclinical observations suggested WISP-1/CCN4 as a potential candidate for novel obesity therapy targeting adipose tissue inflammation. Whether circulating levels of WISP-1/CCN4 in humans are altered in obesity and/or type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and in the postprandial state, however, is unknown. This study assessed circulating WISP-1/CCN4 levels in a) paired liquid meal tests and hyperinsulinemic- euglycemic clamps (cohort I, n = 26), b) healthy individuals (cohort II, n = 207) and c) individuals with different stages of obesity and glucose tolerance (cohort III, n = 253). Circulating plasma and serum WISP-1/CCN4 concentrations were measured using a commercially available ELISA. WISP-1/CCN4 levels were not influenced by changes in insulin and/or glucose during the tests. In healthy individuals, WISP-1/CCN4 was detectable in 13% of plasma samples with the intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.93 (95% CI: 0.84–0.96) and in 58.1% of the serum samples in cohort III. Circulating WISP-1/CCN4 positively correlated with body mass index, body fat percentage, leptin and triglyceride levels, hip circumference and fatty liver index. No differences in WISP-1/CCN4 levels between individuals with normal glucose tolerance, impaired glucose tolerance and T2DM were found. The circulating concentrations of WISP-1/CCN4 showed no acute regulation in postprandial state and correlated with anthropometrical obesity markers and lipid profiles. In healthy individuals, WISP-1/CCN4 levels are more often below the detection limit. Thus, serum WISP-1/CCN4 levels may be used as a suitable biomarker of obesity.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with increased risk of hepatic, cardiovascular, and metabolic diseases. High-protein diets, rich in methionine and branched chain amino acids (BCAAs), apparently reduce liver fat but may induce insulin resistance. We investigated the effects of diets high in animal protein vs plant protein, which differ in levels of methionine and BCAA, in subjects with type 2 diabetes and NAFLD. We examined levels of liver fat, lipogenic indices, markers of inflammation, serum levels of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), and activation of signaling pathways in adipose tissue. METHODS: We performed a prospective study of individuals with type 2 diabetes and NAFLD at a tertiary medical center in Germany, from June 2013 through March 2015. We analyzed data from 37 subjects placed on a diet high in animal protein (AP, rich in meat and dairy foods; n=18) or plant protein (PP, mainly legume protein; n=19) without calorie restriction for 6 weeks. The diets were isocaloric with the same macronutrient composition (30% protein, 40% carbohydrates, and 30% fat). Participants were examined at the start of the study and after the 6-week diet period for body mass index, body composition, hip circumference, resting energy expenditure, and respiratory quotient. Body fat and intrahepatic fat were detected by magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy, respectively. Levels of glucose, insulin, liver enzymes, and inflammation markers as well as individual free fatty acids and free amino acids were measured in collected blood samples. Hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamps were performed to determine whole-body insulin sensitivity. Subcutaneous adipose tissue samples were collected and analyzed for gene expression patterns and phosphorylation of signaling proteins. RESULTS: Post-prandial levels of BCAAs and methionine were significantly higher in subjects on the AP vs the PP diet. The AP and PP diets each reduced liver fat by 36%-48% within 6 weeks (P for AP diet=.0002, P for PP diet=.001). These reductions were unrelated to change in body weight but correlated with downregulation of lipolysis and lipogenic indices. Serum level of FGF21 decreased by 50% in each group (P for AP diet

WISP1 (Wnt1-inducible signaling pathway protein-1, also known as CCN4) is a member of the secreted extracellular matrix–associated proteins of the CCN family and a target gene of the Wingless-type (WNT) signaling pathway. Growing evidence links the WNT signaling pathway to the regulation of adipogenesis and low-grade inflammation in obesity. We aimed to validate WISP1 as a novel adipokine. Human adipocyte differentiation was associated with increased WISP1 expression and secretion. Stimulation of human macrophages with WISP1 led to a proinflammatory response. Circulating WISP1 and WISP1 subcutaneous adipose tissue expression were regulated by weight changes in humans and mice. WISP1 expression in visceral and subcutaneous fat tissue was associated with markers of insulin resistance and inflammation in glucose-tolerant subjects. In patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, we found no correlation among disease activity score, liver fat content, and WISP1 expression. Insulin regulated WISP1 expression in adipocytes in vitro but had no acute effect on WISP1 gene expression in subcutaneous fat tissue in overweight subjects who had undergone hyperinsulinemic clamp experiments. The data suggest that WISP1 may play a role in linking obesity to inflammation and insulin resistance and could be a novel therapeutic target for obesity.

Substituted imidazoles recently came under scrutiny as they may be indirectly introduced into cola beverages via the use of class IV (E150d) caramel colours and may pose health hazards. A LC/MS/MS method was developed for determining 2- and 4-methylimidazole (2-MI, 4-MI) and 2-acetyl-4-(1,2,3,4)-tetrahydroxybutylimidazole (THI) in beverages and caramel colours. The method is very rapid and easy to conduct as it requires only dilution in eluent for sample preparation. For 4-MI, the recovery was between 94 and 102% for spiked cola samples. The limit of detection was 2μg/L in the measuring solution (corresponding to 40μg/L for cola samples diluted 1:20 during sample preparation). 97 cola samples and 13 caramel colours from Germany and France were analysed. From the 3 analytes, only 4-MI was found in the samples with very varying concentrations (non quantifiable traces to 0.6mg/L in colas and 175-658mg/kg in E150d). The exposure for cola drinkers in worst case scenarios is estimated to be 2-5μg/kg bodyweight/day, which is judged as being only a low risk for public health.

Mouthwash ingestion has been observed in settings of restricted availability to alcoholic beverages such as in hospitals, prisons or military establishments. The literature offers limited evidence that ingredients of mouthwash may have health effects above the effects of ethanol. This study provides a quantitative risk assessment based on analysis of 30 mouthwash samples. All investigated brands contained alcohol, most of them menthol (93%), eucalyptol (90%), benzoic acid (87%), methyl salicylate (67%), and thymol (30%). For low risk drinking scenarios with average levels, only ethanol will exceed acceptable daily intakes (ADI). In worst case scenarios for alcohol dependent consumers ingesting 100 g ethanol per day in the form of mouthwash, methyl salicylate will also exceeded the ADI by a factor of 17. The margin of exposure (MOE) for methyl salicylate, benzoates and thymol was below 100 for average scenarios, and below 10 for worst case scenarios, but ethanol is still the most toxic ingredient with MOE below 1. The occasional or even chronic ingestion of mouthwash may not cause health effects except the effects of ethanol alone. Only in extreme exposures, ingredients such as thymol or methyl salicylate could exacerbate the effects of ethanol, especially by contributing to metabolic acidosis.

OBJECTIVE Job-related distress has often been found to be related with low social support at work. The question is whether dimensions of social support outside work have a similar relation with job-anxiety or whether they are independent. PARTICIPANTS A sample of 154 employed inpatients from a psychosomatic rehabilitation center (70% women) participated in this study. METHODS Participants completed self-rating questionnaires on perceived symptom load in the domain of work (job-anxiety) and in general life (general psychosomatic symptom load), and on perceived social support at work and outside work. RESULTS Job-anxiety showed moderate correlations with the perceived level of social support through colleagues. Thereby the social support dimensions of "consolation and encouragement" and "criticism, overload, rejection" were more strongly related to job-anxiety than the dimension of "practical support". There were no significant correlations between job-anxiety and social support through household members, leisure time partners or neighbors. CONCLUSIONS Social support is in a specific way important in the context of work other than concerning general mental health outside the work-context. Job-anxiety is a domain-specific clinical phenomenon and independent from perceived social support outside the workplace.