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Critical Reviews in Biochemistry and... 2022Bifidobacteria are early colonizers of the human neonatal gut and provide multiple health benefits to the infant, including inhibiting the growth of enteropathogens and... (Review)
Review
Bifidobacteria are early colonizers of the human neonatal gut and provide multiple health benefits to the infant, including inhibiting the growth of enteropathogens and modulating the immune system. Certain species prevail in the gut of breastfed infants due to the ability of these microorganisms to selectively forage glycans present in human milk, specifically human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) and -linked glycans. Therefore, these carbohydrates serve as promising prebiotic dietary supplements to stimulate the growth of bifidobacteria in the guts of children suffering from impaired gut microbiota development. However, the rational formulation of milk glycan-based prebiotics requires a detailed understanding of how bifidobacteria metabolize these carbohydrates. Accumulating biochemical and genomic data suggest that HMO and -glycan assimilation abilities vary remarkably within the genus, both at the species and strain levels. This review focuses on the delineation and genome-based comparative analysis of differences in respective biochemical pathways, transport systems, and associated transcriptional regulatory networks, providing a foundation for genomics-based projection of milk glycan utilization capabilities across a rapidly growing number of sequenced bifidobacterial genomes and metagenomic datasets. This analysis also highlights remaining knowledge gaps and suggests directions for future studies to optimize the formulation of milk-glycan-based prebiotics that target bifidobacteria.
Topics: Infant; Infant, Newborn; Child; Humans; Bifidobacterium; Prebiotics; Milk, Human; Polysaccharides; Carbohydrates; Genomics
PubMed: 36866565
DOI: 10.1080/10409238.2023.2182272 -
Advances in Nutrition (Bethesda, Md.) Oct 2021Evolutionary selective pressure on lactation has resulted in milk that provides far more than simply essential nutrients, delivering a complex repertoire of agents from...
Evolutionary selective pressure on lactation has resulted in milk that provides far more than simply essential nutrients, delivering a complex repertoire of agents from hormones to intact cells. Human infants are born with low barrier integrity of their gut, which means that many of the complex biopolymer components of milk enter and circulate in lymph and blood, reaching organs throughout the body. Due to this state of gut maturation, all components of milk are potentially part of the crosstalk between mother and infants. This article highlights the functions of milk's complex biopolymers, more specifically the potential role of microRNAs (miRNAs) contained in extracellular vesicles in human milk. miRNAs are key effectors in the regulation of many biological processes during early-age development, and consequently milk-sourced miRNAs must be considered to provide unique biological assets to the infant during breastfeeding. This article interprets the evidence of the potential action of human milk miRNAs on infant development, taking into account their abundance in milk based on the literature and current knowledge. Human milk miRNAs appear to influence lipid and glucose metabolism, gut maturation, neurogenesis, and immunity. We also show growing evidence that human milk miRNAs are epigenetic modulators that play a pivotal role in the regulation of tissue-specific gene expression throughout life. Furthermore, this article addresses the ongoing debate regarding the potential influence of human milk miRNAs on viral infection as a new research area. This article highlights that these bioactive molecules are now being incorporated into our overall understanding of nutrient needs for healthy infant development, preparing each individual infant to succeed as a healthy and protected adult throughout its life. In essence, miRNAs are a new language in the Rosetta stone of health that is mammalian lactation.
Topics: Animals; Breast Feeding; Child Development; Female; Humans; Infant; Lactation; MicroRNAs; Milk; Milk, Human
PubMed: 34022770
DOI: 10.1093/advances/nmab059 -
Nutrients Dec 2022To explore the flavor characteristics of human milk, we constructed a three-tiered human milk flavor wheel based on 53 sensory descriptors belonging to different sensory...
To explore the flavor characteristics of human milk, we constructed a three-tiered human milk flavor wheel based on 53 sensory descriptors belonging to different sensory categories. Fifteen sensory descriptors were selected using M-value and multivariate statistical methods, and the corresponding references were set up to realize qualitative and quantitative sensory evaluation of the human milk samples. To ensure the accuracy and reliability of the sensory evaluation, the performance of the sensory panelists was also tested. The sensory profile analysis indicated that the established sensory descriptors could properly reflect the general sensory properties of the human milk and could also be used to distinguish different samples. Further investigation exposed that the fat content might be an important factor that influence the sensory properties of human milk. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the flavor wheel of human milk.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Taste; Milk, Human; Reproducibility of Results; Milk
PubMed: 36558546
DOI: 10.3390/nu14245387 -
Journal of Agricultural and Food... Sep 2023Milk is often regarded as the gold standard for the nourishment of all mammalian offspring. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for... (Review)
Review
Milk is often regarded as the gold standard for the nourishment of all mammalian offspring. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of the life of the infant, followed by a slow introduction of complementary foods to the breastfeeding routine for a period of approximately 2 years, whenever this is possible ( ; WHO, 2003). One of the most abundant components in all mammals' milk, which is associated with important health benefits, is the oligosaccharides. The milk oligosaccharides (MOS) of humans and other mammals differ in terms of their concentration and diversity. Among those, goat milk contains more oligosaccharides (MOS) than other domesticated dairy animals, as well as a greater range of structures. This review summarizes the biological functions of MOS found in both human and goat milk to identify the possible biological relevance of MOS in human health and development. Based on the existing literature, seven biological functions of MOS were identified, namely, MOS action as prebiotics, immune modulators, and pathogen traps; their modulation of intestinal cells; protective effect against necrotizing enterocolitis; improved brain development; and positive effects on stressor exposure. Overall, goat milk is a viable alternate supply of functional MOS that could be employed in a newborn formula.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Animals, Domestic; Goats; Infant Formula; Infant Health; Mammals; Milk; Milk, Human; Oligosaccharides
PubMed: 37691562
DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c02194 -
Electrophoresis Jun 2016Oligosaccharides in milk not only provide nutrition to the infants but also have significant immune biofunctions such as inhibition of pathogen binding to the host cell....
Oligosaccharides in milk not only provide nutrition to the infants but also have significant immune biofunctions such as inhibition of pathogen binding to the host cell. The main component in milk oligosaccharides is free oligosaccharides. Since the proteins in milk are highly glycosylated, N-glycans in milk also play an import role. In this study, we investigated the permethylated free oligosaccharides and N-glycans extracted from bovine, goat, and human milks using LC-MS/MS. Quantitation profiles of free oligosaccharides and N-glycans were reported. The number of free oligosaccharides observed in bovine, goat, and human milk samples (without isomeric consideration) were 11, 8, and 11, respectively. Human milk had more complex free oligosaccharides structures than the other two milk samples. Totally 58, 21, and 43 N-glycan structures (without isomeric consideration) were associated with whey proteins extracted from bovine, goat, and human milk samples, respectively. Bovine milk free oligosaccharides and N-glycans from whey proteins were highly sialylated and to a lesser extend fucosylated. Goat and human milk free oligosaccharides and N-glycans from whey proteins were both highly fucosylated. Also, the isomeric glycans in milk samples were determined by porous graphitic carbon LC at elevated temperatures. For example, separation of human milk free oligosaccharide Gal-GlcNAc-(Fuc)-Gal-Glc and Gal-GlcNAc-Gal-Glc-Fuc isomers was achieved using porous graphitic carbon column. Permethylation of the glycan structures facilitated the interpretation of MS/MS. For example, internal cleavage and glycosidic bond cleavage are readily distinguished in the tandem mass spectra of permethylated glycans. This feature resulted in the identification of several isomers.
Topics: Animals; Cattle; Chromatography, Liquid; Fucose; Goats; Humans; Isomerism; Methylation; Milk; Milk, Human; N-Acetylneuraminic Acid; Oligosaccharides; Polysaccharides; Tandem Mass Spectrometry; Whey Proteins
PubMed: 26959529
DOI: 10.1002/elps.201500561 -
Nutrients May 2019Human milk not only contains all nutritional elements that an infant requires, but is also the source of components whose regulatory role was confirmed by demonstrating... (Review)
Review
Human milk not only contains all nutritional elements that an infant requires, but is also the source of components whose regulatory role was confirmed by demonstrating health-related deficiencies in formula-fed children. A human milk diet is especially important for premature babies in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). In cases where breastfeeding is not possible and the mother's own milk is insufficient in volume, the most preferred food is pasteurized donor milk. The number of human milk banks has increased recently but their technical infrastructure is continuously developing. Heat treatment at a low temperature and long time, also known as holder pasteurization (62.5 °C, 30 min), is the most widespread method of human milk processing, whose effects on the quality of donor milk is well documented. Holder pasteurization destroys vegetative forms of bacteria and most viruses including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) herpes and cytomegalovirus (CMV). The macronutrients remain relatively intact but various beneficial components are destroyed completely or compromised. Enzymes and immune cells are the most heat sensitive elements. The bactericidal capacity of heat-pasteurized milk is lower than that of untreated milk. The aim of the study was for a comprehensive comparison of currently tested methods of improving the preservation stage. Innovative techniques of milk processing should minimize the risk of milk-borne infections and preserve the bioactivity of this complex biological fluid better than the holder method. In the present paper, the most promising thermal pasteurization condition (72 °C-75 °C,) and a few non-thermal processes were discussed (high pressure processing, microwave irradiation). This narrative review presents an overview of methods of human milk preservation that have been explored to improve the safety and quality of donor milk.
Topics: Age Factors; Breast Milk Expression; Child Development; Female; Humans; Infant; Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Infant, Low Birth Weight; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Premature; Milk Banks; Milk, Human; Nutritional Status; Nutritive Value; Pasteurization; Pregnancy
PubMed: 31137691
DOI: 10.3390/nu11051169 -
The Journal of Nutrition Jan 2017Extracellular vesicles (EVs) in milk harbor a variety of compounds, including lipids, proteins, noncoding RNAs, and mRNAs. Among the various classes of EVs, exosomes are... (Review)
Review
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) in milk harbor a variety of compounds, including lipids, proteins, noncoding RNAs, and mRNAs. Among the various classes of EVs, exosomes are of particular interest, because cargo sorting in exosomes is a regulated, nonrandom process and exosomes play essential roles in cell-to-cell communication. Encapsulation in exosomes confers protection against enzymatic and nonenzymatic degradation of cargos and provides a pathway for cellular uptake of cargos by endocytosis of exosomes. Compelling evidence suggests that exosomes in bovine milk are transported by intestinal cells, vascular endothelial cells, and macrophages in human and rodent cell cultures, and bovine-milk exosomes are delivered to peripheral tissues in mice. Evidence also suggests that cargos in bovine-milk exosomes, in particular RNAs, are delivered to circulating immune cells in humans. Some microRNAs and mRNAs in bovine-milk exosomes may regulate the expression of human genes and be translated into protein, respectively. Some exosome cargos are quantitatively minor in the diet compared with endogenous synthesis. However, noncanonical pathways have been identified through which low concentrations of dietary microRNAs may alter gene expression, such as the accumulation of exosomes in the immune cell microenvironment and the binding of microRNAs to Toll-like receptors. Phenotypes observed in infant-feeding studies include higher Mental Developmental Index, Psychomotor Development Index, and Preschool Language Scale-3 scores in breastfed infants than in those fed various formulas. In mice, supplementation with plant-derived MIR-2911 improved the antiviral response compared with controls. Porcine-milk exosomes promote the proliferation of intestinal cells in mice. This article discusses the above-mentioned advances in research concerning milk exosomes and their cargos in human nutrition. Implications for infant nutrition are emphasized, where permitted, but data in infants are limited.
Topics: Animals; Cattle; Extracellular Vesicles; Humans; Infant; Milk; Milk, Human; Species Specificity
PubMed: 27852870
DOI: 10.3945/jn.116.238949 -
The American Journal of Clinical... Apr 2020Breastfeeding modulates infant growth and protects against the development of obesity. However, whether or not maternal variation in human milk components, such as human...
BACKGROUND
Breastfeeding modulates infant growth and protects against the development of obesity. However, whether or not maternal variation in human milk components, such as human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), is associated with programming of child growth remains unknown.
OBJECTIVE
Our objective was to determine the association between maternal HMO composition and child growth during the first 5 y of life. In addition, the association between maternal prepregnancy BMI and HMO composition was assessed.
METHODS
Human milk samples from 802 mothers were obtained from a prospective population-based birth cohort study, Steps to healthy development of Children (STEPS), conducted in Turku, Finland. HMO composition in these milk samples was analyzed by HPLC. Child growth data from 3 mo to 5 y were collected from municipal well-baby clinics and linked to maternal HMO composition data to test for associations.
RESULTS
Maternal HMO composition 3 mo after delivery was associated with height and weight during the first 5 y of life in children of secretor mothers. Specifically, HMO diversity and the concentration of lacto-N-neo-tetraose (LNnT) were inversely associated and that of 2'-fucosyllactose (2'FL) was directly associated with child height and weight z scores in a model adjusted for maternal prepregnancy BMI, mode of delivery, birthweight z score, sex, and time. Maternal prepregnancy BMI was associated with HMO composition.
CONCLUSIONS
The association between maternal HMO composition and childhood growth may imply a causal relation, which warrants additional testing in preclinical and clinical studies, especially since 2'FL and LNnT are among the HMOs now being added to infant formula. Furthermore, altered HMO composition may mediate the impact of maternal prepregnancy BMI on childhood obesity, which warrants further investigation to establish the cause-and-effect relation.
Topics: Adult; Body Height; Body Weight; Breast Feeding; Child Development; Child, Preschool; Female; Finland; Humans; Infant; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Milk, Human; Oligosaccharides; Prospective Studies; Young Adult
PubMed: 32068776
DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/nqaa010 -
Maternal & Child Nutrition Dec 2018Expressed human milk can be donated or sold through a variety of channels, including human milk banks, corporations or individuals, or peer-to-peer milk sharing. There...
Expressed human milk can be donated or sold through a variety of channels, including human milk banks, corporations or individuals, or peer-to-peer milk sharing. There is a paucity of research regarding the nutrient and bioactive profiles of expressed human milk exchanged through commerce-free scenarios, including peer-to-peer milk sharing. The study objective was to evaluate the macronutrient, antimicrobial protein, and bacteria composition in expressed human milk acquired via commerce-free arrangements. Expressed human milk samples were collected from the following commerce-free scenarios: milk expressed for a mother's or parent's own infant (MOM; N = 30); unpasteurized milk donated to a non-profit milk bank (BANKED; N = 30); milk expressed for peer-to-peer milk sharing (SHARED; N = 31); and health professional-facilitated milk sharing where donors are serologically screened and milk is dispensed raw (SCREENED; N = 30). Analyses were conducted for total protein, lactose, percent fat and water, lysozyme activity, immunoglobulin A (IgA) activity, total aerobic bacteria, coliform, and Staphylococcus aureus. No bacterial growth was observed in 52/121 samples, and 15/121 had growth greater than 5.0 log colony-forming units/mL. There was no evidence of differences by groups (p > .05) in lactose, fat, water, lysozyme activity, sIgA activity, aerobic bacteria, coliforms, and S. aureus. Mean protein values (95% confidence interval) were 1.5 g/dL (1.4, 1.6) for BANKED, 1.4 g/dL (1.3, 1.5) for MOM, 1.6 g/dL (1.5, 1.7) for SCREENED, and 1.5 g/dL (1.4, 1.6) for SHARED, which was not significantly different (p = .081). This research contributes to growing literature on the risks and benefits of uncompensated, peer-to-peer milk sharing.
Topics: Anti-Infective Agents; Bacteria, Aerobic; Breast Milk Expression; Enterobacteriaceae; Fats; Female; Humans; Immunoglobulin A; Lactose; Milk Banks; Milk Proteins; Milk, Human; Muramidase; Nutrients; Pilot Projects; Staphylococcus aureus; Tissue Donors
PubMed: 30592165
DOI: 10.1111/mcn.12566 -
Nutrients Dec 2019Human milk is recommended as the natural feeding for both term and preterm infants for the several health benefits associated with its consumption [...].
Human milk is recommended as the natural feeding for both term and preterm infants for the several health benefits associated with its consumption [...].
Topics: Humans; Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Premature; Infant, Premature, Diseases; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; Milk, Human
PubMed: 31877960
DOI: 10.3390/nu12010044