Otto Loewi Forschungszentrum

Research focus: Metabolism and the gut

PI: Sandra Holasek

Focus: The Nutrition and Metabolism research unit addresses nutritional assessment in eating disorders, mental illness, food intolerances, and athletes using various methods to standardize nutritional interventions, measure body composition, nutrient intake, and relevant metabolites with a focus on adipocyte biology. The role of plant-based ingredients in nutritional immunometabolism is being investigated in dendritic cells and T cells in a translational manner. Another focus is the influence of food quality and the gut microbiome on the immune system in connection with eating disorders, lifestyle, body fat, and age.

Networking: We conduct cross-team research at the Otto Loewi Research Center with Herbert Strobl (DC models) and Johannes Fessler (clinical collectives), Gunther Marsche (lipid metabolism), Max Moser (heart rate variability), at the Gottfried Schatz Center with Wolfram Müller (body fat analysis), and at the Diagnostic & Research Center for Molecular Biomedicine with Christine Moissl-Eichinger (microbiome analysis). In addition, various interdisciplinary collaborations are underway with departments of psychiatry, laboratory medicine, the Institute of Sports Science, and the Institute of Psychology at the University of Graz and Graz University of Technology, FH Joanneum, the University of Vienna, and international partners.

Projekte

Immunomodulatory aspects of polyphenol-rich foods in different BMI groups (ESAN II)

  • Fat mass is directly linked to inflammatory processes and the diversity of the gut microbiota. Recent studies have clearly demonstrated that polyphenols act at different sites along the digestive tract and have postbiotic relevance. The project focuses on dark berries with high polyphenol and low glucose content. In addition to a human intervention study, mechanisms of action are being investigated in cell models, including in the context of regulatory T cell differentiation.
  • Duration: 2019-2022
  • Funded by: Styrian Chamber of Agriculture, MEFO
  • Project partners: Herbert Strobl (Immunology), Sabrina Leal Garcia (Division of Medical Psychology, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapeutic Medicine), Christine Moissl-Eichinger (Diagnostic and Research Institute of Hygiene, Microbiology and Environmental Medicine)

Iron deficiency in female athletes and depression (OLEOvital study)

  • Female athletes have an increased risk of iron deficiency. Nutritional data is lacking, and nutritional iron deficiency (nEM) can lead to chronic immunological and neurological disorders. nEM is primarily treated with oral supplements. Depressive symptoms can be improved with iron supplements before blood counts normalize. This appears to be explained by improved neurotransmitter levels. The results of this project are crucial for planning follow-up studies in female athletes and people with depression who frequently suffer from nEM caused by nutritional and fluid loss.
  • Duration: 2019-2021
  • Funded by: Fresenius Kabi
  • Project partners: Herbert Strobl (Immunology), Sabrina Leal Garcia (Division of Medical Psychology, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapeutic Medicine)

 

Food intolerances and polyamine metabolism

  • Symptom cluster analyses for food intolerances reveal similarities that can also be linked to the results of stress tests. The symptoms of non-celiac wheat sensitivity (NCWS) are very similar to those of histamine intolerance. The permeability of the intestinal membrane and the resulting immunological reactions are influenced by various nutritional factors. The usefulness of a gluten-free diet is being investigated in relation to the associated lack of fiber and polyamines. The latter are involved in the expression of adherence junctions (AJs), among other things.
  • Duration: 2019-2023
  • Funded by: Medical University of Graz
  • Project partners: Johannes Fessler (Immunology), Wolfgang Schnedl (Center of Metabolic Diseases Bruck/Mur)

 

 

 

Division of Immunology

Sandra Johanna Holasek 
T: +43 316 385 71153

Team

Members

Gesunde Ernährung

Video aus der Reihe "Wissenswert"