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Nutrients Sep 2021Human breast milk (HBM) is not only an indispensable source of nutrients for early human growth and development, supplying components that support infant growth and... (Review)
Review
Human breast milk (HBM) is not only an indispensable source of nutrients for early human growth and development, supplying components that support infant growth and development, but also contains various essential immunologic components with anti-infectious activities and critical roles in the formation of immunity. It is also known that HBM contains its own unique microbiome, including beneficial, commensal, and potentially probiotic bacteria, that can contribute to infant gut colonization. In addition, HBM-derived extracellular vesicles, exosomes, and microRNA are attracting increasing interest for their potential to transfer to the infant and their role in infant development. In this article, we examine some of the various constituents in HBM and review the evidence supporting their associated health effects and their potential applications in human health.
Topics: Child Development; Female; Health Status; Humans; Immune System; Infant; Infant, Newborn; MicroRNAs; Microbiota; Milk, Human; Nutritive Value
PubMed: 34578971
DOI: 10.3390/nu13093094 -
Nutrients Apr 2020Human breast milk is considered the optimum feeding regime for newborn infants due to its ability to provide complete nutrition and many bioactive health factors. Breast... (Review)
Review
Human breast milk is considered the optimum feeding regime for newborn infants due to its ability to provide complete nutrition and many bioactive health factors. Breast feeding is associated with improved infant health and immune development, less incidences of gastrointestinal disease and lower mortality rates than formula fed infants. As well as providing fundamental nutrients to the growing infant, breast milk is a source of commensal bacteria which further enhance infant health by preventing pathogen adhesion and promoting gut colonisation of beneficial microbes. While breast milk was initially considered a sterile fluid and microbes isolated were considered contaminants, it is now widely accepted that breast milk is home to its own unique microbiome. The origins of bacteria in breast milk have been subject to much debate, however, the possibility of an entero-mammary pathway allowing for transfer of microbes from maternal gut to the mammary gland is one potential pathway. Human milk derived strains can be regarded as potential probiotics; therefore, many studies have focused on isolating strains from milk for subsequent use in infant health and nutrition markets. This review aims to discuss mammary gland development in preparation for lactation as well as explore the microbial composition and origins of the human milk microbiota with a focus on probiotic development.
Topics: Breast Feeding; Female; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Humans; Infant; Infant Health; Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Infant, Newborn; Male; Milk, Human; Probiotics
PubMed: 32283875
DOI: 10.3390/nu12041039 -
Nutrients May 2020Human milk is considered the optimal nutrition for infants as it provides additional attributes other than nutritional support for the infant and contributes to the... (Review)
Review
Human milk is considered the optimal nutrition for infants as it provides additional attributes other than nutritional support for the infant and contributes to the mother's health as well. Although breastfeeding is the most natural modality to feed infants, nowadays, many mothers complain about breastfeeding difficulties. In addition to environmental factors that may influence lactation outcomes including maternal nutrition status, partner's support, stress, and latching ability of the infant, intrinsic factors such as maternal genetics may also affect the quantitative production and qualitative content of human milk. These genetic factors, which may largely affect the infant's growth and development, as well as the mother's breastfeeding experience, are the subject of the present review. We specifically describe genetic variations that were shown to affect quantitative human milk supply and/or its qualitative content. We further discuss possible implications and methods for diagnosis as well as treatment modalities. Although cases of nutrient-deficient human milk are considered rare, in some ethnic groups, genetic variations that affect human milk content are more abundant, and they should receive greater attention for diagnosis and treatment when necessary. From a future perspective, early genetic diagnosis should be directed to target and treat breastfeeding difficulties in real time.
Topics: ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily G, Member 2; Breast Feeding; Cation Transport Proteins; Delta-5 Fatty Acid Desaturase; Fatty Acid Desaturases; Female; Fucosyltransferases; Genetic Variation; Humans; Lactation; Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Methylenetetrahydrofolate Dehydrogenase (NADP); Milk, Human; Minor Histocompatibility Antigens; Neoplasm Proteins; Nutrigenomics; Nutritional Status; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Symporters; Galactoside 2-alpha-L-fucosyltransferase
PubMed: 32455695
DOI: 10.3390/nu12051500 -
Nutrients Mar 2021Human milk represents a cornerstone for growth and development of infants, with extensive array of benefits. In addition to exceptionally nutritive and bioactive... (Review)
Review
Human milk represents a cornerstone for growth and development of infants, with extensive array of benefits. In addition to exceptionally nutritive and bioactive components, human milk encompasses a complex community of signature bacteria that helps establish infant gut microbiota, contributes to maturation of infant immune system, and competitively interferes with pathogens. Among bioactive constituents of milk, human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are particularly significant. These are non-digestible carbohydrates forming the third largest solid component in human milk. Valuable effects of HMOs include shaping intestinal microbiota, imparting antimicrobial effects, developing intestinal barrier, and modulating immune response. Moreover, recent investigations suggest correlations between HMOs and milk microbiota, with complex links possibly existing with environmental factors, genetics, geographical location, and other factors. In this review, and from a physiological and health implications perspective, milk benefits for newborns and mothers are highlighted. From a microbiological perspective, a focused insight into milk microbiota, including origins, diversity, benefits, and effect of maternal diet is presented. From a metabolic perspective, biochemical, physiological, and genetic significance of HMOs, and their probable relations to milk microbiota, are addressed. Ongoing research into mechanistic processes through which the rich biological assets of milk promote development, shaping of microbiota, and immunity is tackled.
Topics: Bacteria; Female; Humans; Microbiota; Milk, Human; Oligosaccharides
PubMed: 33805503
DOI: 10.3390/nu13041123 -
Nutrients Mar 2020The intestinal microbiome plays an important role in maintaining health throughout life. The microbiota develops progressively after birth and is influenced by many... (Review)
Review
The intestinal microbiome plays an important role in maintaining health throughout life. The microbiota develops progressively after birth and is influenced by many factors, including the mode of delivery, antibiotics, and diet. Maternal milk is critically important to the development of the neonatal intestinal microbiota. Different bioactive components of milk, such as human milk oligosaccharides, lactoferrin, and secretory immunoglobulins, modify the composition of the neonatal microbiota. In this article, we review the role of each of these maternal milk-derived bioactive factors on the microbiota and how this modulation of intestinal bacteria shapes health, and disease.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Biodiversity; Breast Feeding; Female; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Humans; Immunoglobulin A, Secretory; Infant, Newborn; Lactoferrin; Milk Proteins; Milk, Human; Nutrients; Oligosaccharides
PubMed: 32244880
DOI: 10.3390/nu12030823 -
Journal of Perinatology : Official... Jan 2023Fortification of human milk is the standard of care for very low birth weight (VLBW) infants and is required to support adequate postnatal growth and development.... (Review)
Review
Fortification of human milk is the standard of care for very low birth weight (VLBW) infants and is required to support adequate postnatal growth and development. Achieving adequate growth velocity and preventing growth faltering is critical for the developing neonatal brain and optimizing long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes. Mother's milk is the gold standard nutrition to feed preterm infants, however, it does not provide the nutrients needed to support the growth of VLBW infants. After the decision is made to use mother's milk (if available) or alternatively, donor human milk, many dilemmas exist with regards to additional treatment decisions surrounding the type of fortification to use, when to fortify, and the duration of fortification. In this article, we will review the differences in mother's milk compared to donor milk, the different types of human milk fortifiers, the optimal timing of fortification, and discuss when to discontinue human milk fortification.
Topics: Infant; Infant, Newborn; Humans; Milk, Human; Infant, Premature; Food, Fortified; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; Nutritional Status; Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
PubMed: 36097287
DOI: 10.1038/s41372-022-01502-6 -
Nutrients Dec 2021This Special Issue of "Leptin and Metabolic Programming" includes one review article regarding the function of leptin throughout the entire life on cardiometabolic...
This Special Issue of "Leptin and Metabolic Programming" includes one review article regarding the function of leptin throughout the entire life on cardiometabolic fates and four original articles related to the new function of leptin present in milk and liquid amniotic, its possible relation with other components of breast milk, and how environmental conditions may impact on leptin action and metabolic programming [...].
Topics: Female; Humans; Leptin; Male; Metabolic Networks and Pathways; Milk, Human
PubMed: 35010989
DOI: 10.3390/nu14010114 -
Digestive Diseases and Sciences Mar 2020This review summarizes the key results of recently published studies on the effects of dietary change and nutritional intervention on the human microbiome from around... (Review)
Review
This review summarizes the key results of recently published studies on the effects of dietary change and nutritional intervention on the human microbiome from around the world, focusing on the USA, Canada, Europe, Asia, and Africa. It first explores mechanisms that might explain the ability of fiber-rich foods to suppress the incidence and mortality from westernized diseases, notably cancers of the colon, breast, liver, cardiovascular, infectious, and respiratory diseases, diabetes, and obesity (O'Keefe in Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol 4(12):984-996, 2019; Am J Clin Nutr 110:265-266, 2019). It summarizes studies from Africa which suggest that disturbance of the colonic microbiome may exacerbate chronic malnutrition and growth failure in impoverished communities and highlights the importance of breast feeding. The American section discusses the role of the microbiome in the swelling population of patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes and examines the effects of race, ethnicity, geography, and climate on microbial diversity and metabolism. The studies from Europe and Asia extoll the benefits of whole foods and plant-based diets. The Asian studies examine the worrying changes from low-fat, high-carbohydrate diets to high-fat, low-carbohydrate ones and the increasing appearance of westernized diseases as in Africa and documents the ability of high-fiber traditional Chinese diets to reverse type 2 diabetes and control weight loss. In conclusion, most of the studies reviewed demonstrate clear changes in microbe abundances and in the production of fermentation products, such as short-chain fatty acids and phytochemicals following dietary change, but the significance of the microbiota changes to human health, with the possible exception of the stimulation of butyrogenic taxa by fiber-rich foods, is generally implied and not measured. Further studies are needed to determine how these changes in microbiota composition and metabolism can improve our health and be used to prevent and treat disease.
Topics: Diet; Diet, Western; Dietary Fiber; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Humans; Internationality; Milk, Human
PubMed: 32060812
DOI: 10.1007/s10620-020-06112-w -
Nutrients May 2021Breast milk components contribute to the infant's immune development and protection, and among other immune factors, immunoglobulins (Igs) are the most studied. The... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Breast milk components contribute to the infant's immune development and protection, and among other immune factors, immunoglobulins (Igs) are the most studied. The presence of IgA in milk has been known for a long time; however, less information is available about the presence of other Igs such as IgM, IgG, and their subtypes (IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, and IgG4) or even IgE or IgD. The total Ig concentration and profile will change during the course of lactation; however, there is a great variability among studies due to several variables that limit establishing a clear pattern. In this context, the aim of this review was firstly to shed light on the Ig concentration in breast milk based on scientific evidence and secondly to study the main factors contributing to such variability. A search strategy provided only 75 studies with the prespecified eligibility criteria. The concentrations and proportions found have been established based on the intrinsic factors of the study-such as the sampling time and quantification technique-as well as participant-dependent factors, such as lifestyle and environment. All these factors contribute to the variability of the immunoglobulinome described in the literature and should be carefully addressed for further well-designed studies and data interpretation.
Topics: Breast Feeding; Female; Humans; Immunoglobulin A; Immunoglobulin G; Immunoglobulins; Infant; Lactation; Life Style; Milk, Human; Specimen Handling
PubMed: 34073540
DOI: 10.3390/nu13061810 -
Nutrients Jan 2023The objective of this narrative review was to synthesize the literature on human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) and neurodevelopmental outcomes in human milk-fed infants.... (Review)
Review
The objective of this narrative review was to synthesize the literature on human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) and neurodevelopmental outcomes in human milk-fed infants. We conducted a scoping review of the literature indexed in PubMed reporting observational or interventional studies on HMO exposure in relation to psychometric measures in infants. Studies were characterized based on study design and definitions of HMO exposure and neurodevelopmental outcomes. Six studies were identified; all were observational in design, and five were conducted in full-term infants. Sample sizes ranged from 35-659 infants. HMOs were defined as individual concentrations or relative abundances assessed at 1 and/or 6 months of age. Studies accounted for differences in HMO exposure based on maternal secretor status. Neurodevelopmental outcomes were assessed between 6 and 24 months of age and included four domains. Studies in full-term infants reported that total and individual fucosylated and sialylated HMOs were positively associated with cognitive, language, and motor skill domains between 18 and 24 months of age, while the single study in preterm infants reported no statistically significant findings in the full cohort. The presence of a maternal secretor did not consistently alter the associations between HMO exposure and neurodevelopmental outcomes. Emerging evidence from observational studies suggests that HMO exposure may be beneficial for neurodevelopment in infants.
Topics: Humans; Infant, Newborn; Infant; Female; Milk, Human; Infant, Premature; Oligosaccharides; Motor Skills; Breast Feeding
PubMed: 36771425
DOI: 10.3390/nu15030719