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Frontiers in Bioscience (Elite Edition) Mar 2020Gastrointestinal (GI) health of newborns is maintained by the gastrointestinal microbiome, and the PNEI (psychoneuroendocrinoimmunology) system and can be altered by the... (Review)
Review
Gastrointestinal (GI) health of newborns is maintained by the gastrointestinal microbiome, and the PNEI (psychoneuroendocrinoimmunology) system and can be altered by the delivery mode of the milk to the newborn such as breast versus bottle feeding, exposure to antibiotics in the milk, or exposure to environmental pollutants. The health of GI tract is particularly is maintained by breast feeding since the maternal milk provides micro- and macronutrients essential to growth, as well as multifunctional small oligosaccharides, particularly, 2'-fucosyllactose which maintain the GI health.
Topics: Dietary Supplements; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Gastrointestinal Tract; Humans; Milk, Human; Oligosaccharides
PubMed: 32114457
DOI: 10.2741/E866 -
Carbohydrate Polymers May 2024Milk oligosaccharides (MOs), complex carbohydrates prevalent in human breast milk, play a vital role in infant nutrition. Serving as prebiotics, they inhibit pathogen... (Review)
Review
Milk oligosaccharides (MOs), complex carbohydrates prevalent in human breast milk, play a vital role in infant nutrition. Serving as prebiotics, they inhibit pathogen adherence, modulate the immune system, and support newborn brain development. Notably, MOs demonstrate significant variations in concentration and composition, both across different species and within the same species. These characteristics of MOs lead to several compelling questions: (i) What distinct beneficial functions do MOs offer and how do the functions vary along with their structural differences? (ii) In what ways do MOs in human milk differ from those in other mammals, and what factors drive these unique profiles? (iii) What are the emerging applications of MOs, particularly in the context of their incorporation into infant formula? This review delves into the structural characteristics, quantification methods, and species-specific concentration differences of MOs. It highlights the critical role of human MOs in infant growth and their potential applications, providing substantial evidence to enhance infant health and development.
Topics: Infant, Newborn; Animals; Female; Humans; Milk; Milk, Human; Oligosaccharides; Infant Formula; Prebiotics; Mammals
PubMed: 38431414
DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2024.121911 -
Proceedings of the National Academy of... Apr 2022Human breast milk (hBM) is a dynamic fluid that contains millions of cells, but their identities and phenotypic properties are poorly understood. We generated and...
Human breast milk (hBM) is a dynamic fluid that contains millions of cells, but their identities and phenotypic properties are poorly understood. We generated and analyzed single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) data to characterize the transcriptomes of cells from hBM across lactational time from 3 to 632 d postpartum in 15 donors. We found that the majority of cells in hBM are lactocytes, a specialized epithelial subset, and that cell-type frequencies shift over the course of lactation, yielding greater epithelial diversity at later points. Analysis of lactocytes reveals a continuum of cell states characterized by transcriptional changes in hormone-, growth factor-, and milk production-related pathways. Generalized additive models suggest that one subcluster, LC1 epithelial cells, increases as a function of time postpartum, daycare attendance, and the use of hormonal birth control. We identify several subclusters of macrophages in hBM that are enriched for tolerogenic functions, possibly playing a role in protecting the mammary gland during lactation. Our description of the cellular components of breast milk, their association with maternal–infant dyad metadata, and our quantification of alterations at the gene and pathway levels provide a detailed longitudinal picture of hBM cells across lactational time. This work paves the way for future investigations of how a potential division of cellular labor and differential hormone regulation might be leveraged therapeutically to support healthy lactation and potentially aid in milk production.
Topics: Breast Feeding; Female; Gene Expression Profiling; Humans; Lactation; Milk, Human; RNA-Seq; Transcriptome
PubMed: 35377806
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2121720119 -
Nutrients Feb 2019Complementary feeding transitions infants from a milk-based diet to solid foods, providing essential nutrients to the infant and the developing gut microbiome while... (Review)
Review
Complementary feeding transitions infants from a milk-based diet to solid foods, providing essential nutrients to the infant and the developing gut microbiome while influencing immune development. Some of the earliest microbial colonisers readily ferment select oligosaccharides, influencing the ongoing establishment of the microbiome. Non-digestible oligosaccharides in prebiotic-supplemented formula and human milk oligosaccharides promote commensal immune-modulating bacteria such as Bifidobacterium, which decrease in abundance during weaning. Incorporating complex, bifidogenic, non-digestible carbohydrates during the transition to solid foods may present an opportunity to feed commensal bacteria and promote balanced concentrations of beneficial short chain fatty acid concentrations and vitamins that support gut barrier maturation and immunity throughout the complementary feeding window.
Topics: Breast Feeding; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Humans; Infant; Infant Formula; Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Milk, Human; Oligosaccharides; Prebiotics; Weaning
PubMed: 30744134
DOI: 10.3390/nu11020364 -
Expert Review of Proteomics 2019: Among the OMICS technologies, that have emerged in recent years, metabolomics has allowed relevant step forwards in clinical research. Several improvements in disease... (Review)
Review
: Among the OMICS technologies, that have emerged in recent years, metabolomics has allowed relevant step forwards in clinical research. Several improvements in disease diagnosis and clinical management have been permitted, even in neonatology. Among potentially evaluable biofluids, breast milk (BM) results are highly interesting, representing a fluid of conjunction between mothers newborns, describing their interaction.: in this review, updating a previous review article, we discuss research articles and reviews on BM metabolomics and found in MEDLINE using metabolomics, breast milk, neonatal nutrition, breastfeeding, human milk composition, and preterm neonates as keywords.: Our research group has a profound interest in metabolomics research. In 2012, we published the first metabolomic analysis on BM samples, reporting interesting data on its composition and relevant differences with formula milk (FM), useful to improve FM composition. As confirmed by successive studies, such technology can detect the specific BM composition and its dependence on several variables, including lactation stage, gestational age, maternal or environmental conditions. Moreover, since BM contaminants or drug levels can be detected, metabolomics also results useful to determine BM safety. These are only a few practical applications of BM analysis, which will be reviewed in this paper.
Topics: Breast Feeding; Female; Humans; Infant Formula; Infant, Newborn; Metabolomics; Milk, Human; Mothers; Nutritional Sciences
PubMed: 31825672
DOI: 10.1080/14789450.2019.1703679 -
Environment International Jun 2022Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are non-degradable, man-made-chemicals with an elimination half-life of multiple years, causing accumulation in the...
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are non-degradable, man-made-chemicals with an elimination half-life of multiple years, causing accumulation in the environment and humans with potential harmful effects. However, longitudinal PFAS levels in human milk, daily PFAS intake and the association with infant plasma PFAS levels have never been reported. We investigated longitudinal PFOA and PFOS levels in human milk and the daily PFAS intake through infant feeding in the first 3 months of life, the most important determinants and the correlation with PFAS plasma levels at age 3 months and 2 years.
METHODS
In 372 healthy term-born Dutch infants, we determined PFOA and PFOS levels in human milk given at age 1 and 3 months, in 6 infant formula brands and in infant plasma at 3 months and 2 years, using liquid-chromatography-electrospray-ionization-tandem-mass-spectrometry(LC-ESI-MS/MS). We studied the associations between daily PFAS intake and predictive characteristics by multiple regression models.
RESULTS
PFOA and PFOS levels in human milk decreased between 1 and 3 months after delivery, regardless whether breastfeeding was given exclusively(EBF) or in combination with formula feeding. PFOA and PFOS could not be detected in any formula feeding. Daily PFAS intake(ng/kg) was highest in EBF-infants. Higher amount of human milk, older maternal age, lower parity and first-time breastfeeding were associated with higher daily intake. Daily PFAS intake in early life was strongly correlated with PFAS plasma levels at age 3 months and 2 years(R = 0.642-0.875, p < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
Human milk contains PFOA and PFOS, in contrast to formula feeding. Daily PFOA and PFOS intake in early life is highest in exclusively breastfed infants and it is highly correlated with infant's plasma levels throughout infancy. Our findings show that breastfeeding is an important PFAS exposure pathway in the first months of life, with unknown but potential adverse effects. Knowing the important health benefits of breastfeeding, our findings warrant more research about the health outcomes in later life.
Topics: Alkanesulfonic Acids; Breast Feeding; Environmental Pollutants; Female; Fluorocarbons; Humans; Infant; Milk, Human; Pregnancy; Tandem Mass Spectrometry
PubMed: 35524998
DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107274 -
Clinics in Perinatology Jun 2022Lipids are a major source of energy during the fetal/neonatal period. Most are received from the mother, transplacentally during the intrauterine period or via maternal... (Review)
Review
Lipids are a major source of energy during the fetal/neonatal period. Most are received from the mother, transplacentally during the intrauterine period or via maternal milk after birth. However, in addition to the known nutritional roles, lipids are now known to bind a variety of cellular receptors to regulate specific patterns in metabolism and gene expression. The expression of these receptors is regulated by various genetic and environmental stimuli, and ligation can activate positive-feedback loops in the expression and the activity of downstream signaling pathways. The authors summarize the role of lipid ligands, cognate receptors, epigenetic regulation, and downstream signaling.
Topics: Epigenesis, Genetic; Fetus; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Lipids; Milk, Human
PubMed: 35659090
DOI: 10.1016/j.clp.2022.02.006 -
Maternal & Child Nutrition Jan 2021Exposure to unsafe level of aflatoxin in early life may lead to growth faltering. However, the extent of contamination of breast milk and complementary foods is poorly...
Exposure to unsafe level of aflatoxin in early life may lead to growth faltering. However, the extent of contamination of breast milk and complementary foods is poorly examined. We determined aflatoxin M (AFM ) and B (AFB ) contamination of human breast milk and cereal-based cooked complementary foods, respectively, among households having children 6-23 months of age in Sidama zone, southern Ethiopia. Data were collected through two cross-sectional surveys implemented in the wet (n = 180) and dry (n = 180) seasons. Eligible households (n = 360) were recruited from three agroecological zones (lowland, midland and highland, each with sample size of 120) using a multistage sampling technique. AFB and AFM levels were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests were performed to compare aflatoxin levels between seasons and across the agroecological zones. Among 360 breast milk samples tested, 64.4% had detectable AFM and 5.3% exceeded the 0.025 parts per billion (ppb) limit set by the European Union for infant milk. The median AFM in the lowlands was significantly higher than in the other agroecological settings (P < 0.001). By season, AFM was higher in breast milk samples collected in the dry season (P = 0.041). AFB was detected in 96.4% of the food samples tested, and 95.0% had concentration exceeding the permissible European Union limit of 0.1 ppb. The median AFB was significantly higher in the lowland (P = 0.002), but there was no difference between the seasons (P = 0.386). The study indicated that, in southern Ethiopia, foods intended for infants are heavily contaminated with AFB . Contamination of breast milk is also a significant health concern.
Topics: Aflatoxins; Animals; Child; Cross-Sectional Studies; Ethiopia; Female; Food Contamination; Humans; Infant; Milk; Milk, Human
PubMed: 32954680
DOI: 10.1111/mcn.13081 -
Revista Chilena de Pediatria Apr 2018The mammary gland and maternal milk are the product of millions of years of evolution that resul ted in an optimal composition that sustains the growth and development... (Review)
Review
The mammary gland and maternal milk are the product of millions of years of evolution that resul ted in an optimal composition that sustains the growth and development of newborns and infants. Maternal milk supports the growth, adaptation and survival of this immature organism. Recent studies have detected 1606 different proteins in human milk, most of them synthesized in the acini of the glandular tissue while others originate from distant organs such as the lymphoid tissue and the digestive tract. Maternal milk enzymes modify its proteins and liberate peptides with antimicrobial, antihypertensive or stimulatory activities. This proteolytic activity occurs at specific sites in peptide chains. To prevent the extemporaneous activation of these proteolytic enzymes, that would result in inflammatory processes, maternal milk also contains inhibitory peptides that together with the stimulatory peptides conform a complex regulatory system. Some enzymes in maternal milk main tain their activity in the gastrointestinal tract of infants and compensate for the decreased activity of digestive tract enzymes in newborns. Thus, the milk enterokynase stimulates the release of pancreatic proteases as it induces the liberation of cholecystokynin/pancreozymin. The bile salt-activated lipase of human milk is activated in the duodenum by the infants' bile salts and partially compensates for the low levels of pancreatic lipase in newborns. These milk enzymes probably contribute to the nutrition of premature infants as they increase the availability of amino acids and peptides in their upper gastrointestinal tract; furthermore, as their intestinal epithelium is more permeable to peptides and partially digested protein this may help induce immune tolerance. The most relevant issues in the physiology and composition of the maternal milk are presented in this review.
Topics: Biological Evolution; Humans; Mammary Glands, Human; Milk Proteins; Milk, Human; Proteome
PubMed: 29799897
DOI: 10.4067/S0370-41062018000200261 -
Journal of Dairy Science Apr 2020Oligosaccharides are the third most abundant component in human milk. It is widely accepted that they play several important protective, physiological, and biological... (Review)
Review
Oligosaccharides are the third most abundant component in human milk. It is widely accepted that they play several important protective, physiological, and biological roles, including selective growth stimulation of beneficial gut microbiota, inhibition of pathogen adhesion, and immune modulation. However, until recently, very few commercial products on the market have capitalized on these functions. This is mainly because the quantities of human milk oligosaccharides required for clinical trials have been unavailable. Recently, clinical studies have tested the potential beneficial effects of feeding infants formula containing 2'-fucosyllactose, which is the most abundant oligosaccharide in human milk. These studies have opened this field for further well-designed studies, which are required to fully understand the role of human milk oligosaccharides. However, one of the most striking features of human milk is its diversity of oligosaccharides, with over 200 identified to date. It may be that a mixture of oligosaccharides is even more beneficial to infants than a single structure. For this reason, the milk of domestic animals has become a focal point in recent years as an alternative source of complex oligosaccharides with associated biological activity. This review will focus specifically on free oligosaccharides found in bovine and caprine milk and the biological roles associated with such structures. These dairy streams are ideal sources of oligosaccharides, given their wide availability and use in so many regularly consumed dairy products. The aim of this review was to provide an overview of research into the functional role of bovine and caprine milk oligosaccharides in host-microbial interactions in the gut and provide current knowledge related to the isolation of oligosaccharides as ingredients for incorporation in functional or medical foods.
Topics: Animals; Cattle; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Gastrointestinal Tract; Goats; Humans; Infant; Milk; Milk, Human; Oligosaccharides; Trisaccharides
PubMed: 32089300
DOI: 10.3168/jds.2019-17645