In TraceAge, we demonstrated that low dietary supply of the trace elements Cu, Fe, I, Mn, Se, and Zn in mice led to growth retardation and an increased spleen weight compared with mice receiving adequate trace element intake, highlighting the high sensitivity of the immune system to changes in trace element supply. We also identified Nrf2 as an important regulator of trace element homeostasis and interrelated trace element pathways. Moreover, murine age-related trace element profiles proved to be highly stable and could not be altered by age-adapted diets designed to adjust trace element intake according to age-dependent changes in serum concentrations. Finally, we identified a novel interaction between selenium and copper, showing that elevated hepatic copper levels impair the release of SELENOP.
Key publications:
Lossow K, Maares M, Heinze T, Pellowski D, Richter E, Schröder K, Dahmen L, Schüßler C, Renko K, Schwerdtle T, Haase H, Kipp AP (2026). Distribution interactions of the trace elements zinc, copper, and selenium under conditions of their parallel deficiency, Redox Biol. 89:103963. doi: 10.1016/j.redox.2025.103963Externer Link.
Herpich C, Heinze T, Moskiou V, Kalymon M, Göger L, Faust L, Lossow K, Müller-Werdan U, Schwerdtle T, Schomburg L, Kipp AP, Norman K (2026). Three-dimensional trace element profile reflecting aging, disease, and frailty. Geroscience. doi: 10.1007/s11357-026-02181-3Externer Link.
Schwarz M, Meyer CE, Löser A, Lossow K, Hackler J, Ott C, Jäger S, Mohr I, Eklund EA, Patel AAH, Gul N, Alvarez S, Altinonder I, Wiel C, Maares M, Haase H, Härtlova A, Grune T, Schulze MB, Schwerdtle T, Merle U, Zischka H, Sayin VI, Schomburg L, Kipp AP (2023). Excessive copper impairs intrahepatocyte trafficking and secretion of selenoprotein P, Nat. Commun. 14(1):3479. doi: 10.1038/s41467-023-39245-3.Externer Link
Lossow K, Renko K, Schwarz M, Schomburg L, Schwerdtle T*, Kipp AP* (2021). The Nutritional Supply of Iodine and Selenium Affects Thyroid Hormone Axis Related Endpoints in Mice, Nutri-ents, 13:3773. doi: 10.3390/nu13113773Externer Link.
Wandt VK, Winkelbeiner N, Lossow K, Kopp JF, Schwarz M, Alker W, Nicolai M, Simon L, Dietzele C, Zimmermann S, Hertel B, Pohl G, Ebert F, Schomburg L, Haase H, Bornhorst J, Kipp AP*, Schwerdtle T* (2021). Aging-associated effects of a long-term dietary modulation of four trace elements in mice, Redox Biol., 46:102083. doi: 10.1016/j.redox.2021.102083Externer Link
Schwarz M, Lossow K, Schirl K, Hackler J, Kopp JF, Renko K, Schwerdtle T, Schomburg L, Kipp AP (2020). Copper interferes with selenoprotein synthesis and activity, Redox Biol., 37: DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2020.101746Externer Link
Lossow K, Kopp J, Schwarz M, Finke H, Winkelbeiner NL, Renko K, Meci X, Ott C, Alker W, Hackler J, Grune T, Schomburg L, Haase H, Schwerdtle T, Kipp AP (2020). Ageing affects sex- and organ-specific trace element profiles in mice, Aging US, 12: 13762-13790; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32620712/Externer Link
Baudry J, Kopp JF, Boeing H, Kipp AP, Schwerdtle T, Schulze MB (2019). Changes of trace element status during aging: results of the EPIC-Potsdam cohort study, Eur. J. Nutr., doi: 10.1007/s00394-019-02143-wExterner Link
Schwarz M, Lossow K, Kopp JF, Schwerdtle T, Kipp AP (2019). Crosstalk of Nrf2 with the trace elements selenium, iron, zinc, and copper, Nutrients, Sep 5;11(9); https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31491970/Externer Link
Bornhorst J, Kipp AP, Haase H, Meyer S, Schwerdtle T (2017). Trace elements risks and benefits; the crux of biomarkers, Trends in Analytical Chemistry, available online 15 November 2017, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trac.2017.11.007Externer Link