scholarly journals Components of human breast milk: from macronutrient to microbiome and microRNA

2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (8) ◽  
pp. 301-309 ◽  
Author(s):  
Su Yeong Kim ◽  
Dae Yong Yi
Keyword(s):  
Breast Milk ◽  
Maternal Diet ◽  
Endocrine System ◽  
Normal Growth ◽  
Human Breast Milk ◽  
Intestinal Epithelial ◽  
Human Breast ◽  
Bioactive Proteins ◽  
The One ◽  
Infant’S Growth

Human breast milk (HBM) is essential for the infant’s growth and development right after birth and is an irreplaceable source of nutrition for early human survival. Various infant formulas have many similarities to HBM in many components, but there is no perfect substitute for HBM. Recently, various breast milk components and their roles have been studied according to the development of various analysis techniques. As is already well known, HBM contains about 87%–88% water, and 124- g/L solid components as macronutrients, including about 7% (60–70 g/L) carbohydrates, 1% (8–10 g/L) protein, and 3.8% (35–40 g/L) fat. The composition may vary depending on the environmental factors, including maternal diet. Colostrum is low in fat but high in protein and relatively rich in immuneprotective components. Although HBM contains enough vitamins to ensure normal growth of the infant, vitamins D and K may be insufficient, and the infant may require their supplementation. Growth factors in HBM also serve as various bioactive proteins and peptides on the intestinal tract, vasculature, nervous system, and endocrine system. In the past, HBM of a healthy mother was thought to be sterile. However, several subsequent studies have confirmed the presence of rich and diverse microbial communities in HBM. Some studies suggested that the genera <i>Staphylococcus</i> and <i>Streptococcus</i> may be universally predominant in HBM, but the origin of microbiota still remains controversial. Lastly, milk is the one of most abundant body fluid of microRNAs, which are known to play a role in various functions, such as immunoprotection and developmental programming, through delivering from HBM and absorption by intestinal epithelial cells. In conclusion, HBM is the most important source of nutrition for infants and includes microbiomes and miRNAs for growth, development, and immunity.

scholarly journals Association of DHA Concentration in Human Breast Milk with Maternal Diet and Use of Supplements: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Data from the Japanese Human Milk Study Cohort

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroshi M Ueno ◽  
Satoshi Higurashi ◽  
Yuzuka Shimomura ◽  
Ryota Wakui ◽  
Hiroaki Matsuura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Milk ◽  
Human Milk ◽  
Maternal Diet ◽  
Sociodemographic Factors ◽  
Dietary Habit ◽  
Study Cohort ◽  
Human Breast Milk ◽  
Human Breast ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Infant Birth

ABSTRACT Background DHA (22:6n–3) is essential for neurodevelopment in children, and its concentration in human breast milk is historically high in Japan. Dietary patterns in Japan might affect the fatty acid (FA) composition among lactating mothers. Objectives This study aimed to characterize the composition of milk FAs and to identify any dietary and sociodemographic factors associated with the variability of DHA concentration in breast milk in the Japanese population. Methods This cross-sectional study was performed as part of the Japanese Human Milk Study. Milk FAs were analyzed by GC at 1–6 mo postpartum, and maternal diet was estimated using an FFQ, including 11 types and cooking methods of seafoods, and the use of DHA supplements. The association of milk DHA with maternal diet and sociodemographic factors was investigated. Results Milk FA concentrations were measured in 78 mothers, including 24 who routinely used DHA supplements. The DHA concentration in milk (overall median: 0.62%; IQR: 0.47%–0.78%) was higher in women who took DHA supplements than in women who had never used DHA supplements (0.74%compared with 0.55%; P = 0.011). A linear regression model showed the association of milk DHA concentration with maternal dietary intake of grilled fish (β ± SE: 0.006 ± 0.003; standardized β: 0.234; r2 = 0.232, P = 0.036) after adjustment for DHA supplementation status, maternal and infant age, maternal BMI, and infant birth weight. Other FA concentrations were consistent, whereas caproic acid (6:0), undecylic acid (11:0), pentadecylic acid (15:0), palmitoleic acid (16:1n–7), and vaccenic acid (18:1n–7) varied by DHA supplementation status. Conclusions The DHA concentration in human milk may be influenced by maternal grilled fish consumption and frequent DHA supplementation in lactating Japanese women. Milk DHA concentrations may reflect a dietary habit in Japanese mothers. This trial was registered at www.umin.ac.jp/ctr as UMIN000015494.

scholarly journals Human breast milk-derived exosomes attenuate cell death in intestinal epithelial cells

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 278-284 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colin Martin ◽  
Mikita Patel ◽  
Sparkle Williams ◽  
Hamish Arora ◽  
Brian Sims
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Cell Death ◽  
Breast Milk ◽  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Protective Effect ◽  
Cell Viability ◽  
Intestinal Epithelial Cells ◽  
Human Breast Milk ◽  
Intestinal Epithelial ◽  
Human Breast

Human breast milk has been shown to reduce the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Breast milk has many components (immunoglobulins, proteins, fat, and, of recent interest, exosomes), but the specific component that affords protection against NEC is not known. Exosomes are small-nanometer vesicles that are rich in protein, lipid, and microRNA. Here, we hypothesized that human breast milk-derived exosomes can protect intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) from cell death. Human breast milk was collected, separated using ultracentrifugation, and quantified using NanoSight tracking analysis. Purified exosomes were added to IECs that had been treated with varying concentrations of H2O2. Cells were then incubated overnight with the human breast milk-derived exosomes and assessed for cell viability. Western blot analysis showed that both clathrin and CD81 were present in the purified sample. Oxidative stress using H2O2 caused a 50% decrease in cell viability and human breast milk-derived exosomes had a protective effect in IECs. In the presence of H2O2, exosomes had a statistically significant protective effect. The protection seen by human breast milk-derived exosomes was not attenuated by cycloheximide. Thus, human breast milk-derived exosomes allow IECs to be protected from oxidative stress, but the mechanism is still not clear. Exosomes derived from human breast milk are an attractive treatment concept for children with intestinal injury.

scholarly journals Human breast milk as source of sphingolipids for newborns: comparison with infant formulas and commercial cow’s milk

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michele Dei Cas ◽  
Rita Paroni ◽  
Paola Signorelli ◽  
Alessandra Mirarchi ◽  
Laura Cerquiglini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Milk ◽  
Maternal Diet ◽  
Bioactive Molecules ◽  
Human Breast Milk ◽  
Infant Formulas ◽  
Human Breast ◽  
Ceramide Content ◽  
Vegetarian Diets ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
The Brain

Abstract Background In the past two decades, sphingolipids have become increasingly appreciated as bioactive molecules playing important roles in a wide array of pathophysiology mechanisms. Despite advances in the field, sphingolipids as nutrients remain little explored. Today the research is starting to move towards the study of the sphingomyelin content in human breast milk, recommended for feeding infants. Methods In the present study, we performed a lipidomic analysis in human breast milk in relation with maternal diet during pregnancy, in infant formulas, and in commercial whole and semi-skimmed milks for adults. Mediterranean, carnivorous and vegetarian diets were considered. Results The results showed that total sphingomyelin, ceramide and dihydroceramide species are independent on the diet. Interestingly, the milk sphingolipid composition is species-specific. In fact, infant formulas and commercial milks for adults have a lower level of total sphingomyelin and ceramide content than human breast milk with very different composition of each sphingolipid species. Conclusions We conclude that human breast milk is a better source of sphingolipids than infant formulas for baby nutrition with potential implications for the brain development and cognitive functions.

scholarly journals Relationship between Fatty Acids Composition/Antioxidant Potential of Breast Milk and Maternal Diet: Comparison with Infant Formulas

Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (12) ◽  
pp. 2910 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michela Codini ◽  
Carmela Tringaniello ◽  
Lina Cossignani ◽  
Antonio Boccuto ◽  
Alessandra Mirarchi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Breast Milk ◽  
Human Milk ◽  
Maternal Diet ◽  
Antioxidant Potential ◽  
Human Breast Milk ◽  
Infant Formulas ◽  
Fatty Acids Composition ◽  
Human Breast

The fatty acid composition of human breast milk is relevant for the energy, immunity and eicosanoid production in infants. Additionally, the antioxidant properties of foods are essential for human health. Therefore, in the present study we aimed to investigate the relationship between maternal diet and fatty acids composition as well as the antioxidant potential of breast milk from donors to human milk bank of Perugia’s hospital, Italy. Results were compared with infant formulas. We observed increased levels of total fatty acids and, in particular, saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids in milk from mothers fed on a vegetable and fruit-rich diet compared with a Mediterranean diet. In the same milk, a reduced antioxidant potential was found. All infant formulas resulted in richer total fatty acid content than human breast milk. Only some formulas were qualitatively similar to breast milk. Of note, the antioxidant potential of the formulas was higher or lower than the human milk with the exception of one sample. The antioxidant potential of four formulas was very high. Dietary supplementation with antioxidants has been shown to have a teratogenic effect and to increase the formation of metastases in adult. There are no data on the effects of excess antioxidants in the infants, but the possibility that they can be harmful cannot be excluded.

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