scholarly journals Free and Total Amino Acids in Human Milk in Relation to Maternal and Infant Characteristics and Infant Health Outcomes: The Ulm SPATZ Health Study

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 2009
Author(s):  
Joris H.J. van Sadelhoff ◽  
Linda P. Siziba ◽  
Lisa Buchenauer ◽  
Marko Mank ◽  
Selma P. Wiertsema ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Human Milk ◽  
Infant Development ◽  
Infant Health ◽  
Child Growth ◽  
Health Study ◽  
Maternal Characteristics ◽  
Tract Infections ◽  
Total Amino Acids

Free amino acids (FAAs) are important regulators of key pathways necessary for growth, development, and immunity. Data on FAAs in human milk (HM) and their roles in infant development are limited. We investigated the levels of FAAs and total amino acids (TAA, i.e., the sum of conjugated amino acids and FAAs) in HM in relation to infant and maternal characteristics and immunological conditions. FAA and TAA levels in HM sampled at 6 weeks (n = 671) and 6 months (n = 441) of lactation were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography. Child growth was ascertained at 4–5 weeks and at 6–7 months of age. Child allergy and lower respiratory tract infections were assessed in the first years of life. Associations of amino acid (AA) levels in HM with child growth and health outcomes were determined by Spearman correlation and modified Poisson regression, respectively. Free glutamine, glutamate, and serine in 6-week HM positively correlated with infant weight gain in the first 4–5 weeks of age. Maternal pre-pregnancy weight and body mass index (BMI) were negatively correlated with free glutamine and asparagine in 6-week and 6-month HM and positively correlated with the sum of TAAs in 6-month HM, but significance was lost following confounder adjustment. Free glutamine was lower in 6-month HM of mothers with an allergy (either active or non-active). No consistent associations were found between FAAs in HM and child health outcomes. However, potential negative associations were observed between specific FAAs and the risk of food allergy. These results suggest that specific FAAs play a role in infant growth. Moreover, these findings warrant further investigations into the relation of FAAs in HM with infant health outcomes and maternal allergy.

scholarly journals Human Milk Oligosaccharide Profiles over 12 Months of Lactation: The Ulm SPATZ Health Study

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1973
Author(s):  
Linda P. Siziba ◽  
Marko Mank ◽  
Bernd Stahl ◽  
John Gonsalves ◽  
Bernadet Blijenberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Child Health ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Human Milk ◽  
Health Study ◽  
Birth Cohort Study ◽  
Maternal Characteristics ◽  
Time Points ◽  
Child Health Outcomes ◽  
Secretor Status ◽  
Dose Dependent

Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) have specific dose-dependent effects on child health outcomes. The HMO profile differs across mothers and is largely dependent on gene expression of specific transferase enzymes in the lactocytes. This study investigated the trajectories of absolute HMO concentrations at three time points during lactation, using a more accurate, robust, and extensively validated method for HMO quantification. We analyzed human milk sampled at 6 weeks (n = 682), 6 months (n = 448), and 12 months (n = 73) of lactation in a birth cohort study conducted in south Germany, using label-free targeted liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS2). We assessed trajectories of HMO concentrations over time and used linear mixed models to explore the effect of secretor status and milk group on these trajectories. Generalized linear model-based analysis was used to examine associations between HMOs measured at 6 weeks of lactation and maternal characteristics. Results: Overall, 74%, 18%, 7%, and 1% of human milk samples were attributed to milk groups I, II, III, and IV, respectively. Most HMO concentrations declined over lactation, but some increased. Cross-sectionally, HMOs presented high variations within milk groups and secretor groups. The trajectories of HMO concentrations during lactation were largely attributed to the milk group and secretor status. None of the other maternal characteristics were associated with the HMO concentrations. The observed changes in the HMO concentrations at different time points during lactation and variations of HMOs between milk groups warrant further investigation of their potential impact on child health outcomes. These results will aid in the evaluation and determination of adequate nutrient intakes, as well as further (or future) investigation of the dose-dependent impact of these biological components on infant and child health outcomes.

scholarly journals Short Communication: Differences in Levels of Free Amino Acids and Total Protein in Human Foremilk and Hindmilk

Nutrients ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 1828 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joris van Sadelhoff ◽  
Dimitra Mastorakou ◽  
Hugo Weenen ◽  
Bernd Stahl ◽  
Johan Garssen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Human Milk ◽  
Protein Content ◽  
Total Protein ◽  
Free Amino Acids ◽  
Free Amino ◽  
Infant Development ◽  
Low Birthweight ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Total Protein Content

Free amino acids (FAAs) in human milk are indicated to have specific functional roles in infant development. Studies have shown differences between human milk that is expressed at the beginning of a feed (i.e., foremilk) and the remainder of the milk expressed (i.e., hindmilk). For example, it is well established that human hindmilk is richer in fat and energy than foremilk. Hence, exclusively feeding hindmilk is used to enhance weight gain of preterm, low birthweight infants. Whether FAAs occur differently between foremilk and hindmilk has never been reported, but given their bioactive capacities, this is relevant to consider especially in situations where hindmilk is fed exclusively. Therefore, this study analyzed and compared the FAA and total protein content in human foremilk and hindmilk samples donated by 30 healthy lactating women. The total protein content was found to be significantly higher in hindmilk (p < 0.001), whereas foremilk contained a significantly higher total content of FAAs (p = 0.015). With regards to individual FAAs, foremilk contained significantly higher levels of phenylalanine (p = 0.009), threonine (p = 0.003), valine (p = 0.018), alanine (p = 0.004), glutamine (p < 0.001), and serine (p = 0.012) than hindmilk. Although statistical significance was reached, effect size analysis of the milk fraction on FAA levels in milk revealed that the observed differences were only small. To what extent these differences are of physiological importance for infant development remains to be examined in future research.

Maternal Dietary Fatty Acids and Their Relationship to Derived Endocannabinoids in Human Milk

2021 ◽  
pp. 089033442199346
Author(s):  
Adriana V. Gaitán ◽  
JodiAnne T. Wood ◽  
Yingpeng Liu ◽  
Lipin Ji ◽  
Spyros P. Nikas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Docosahexaenoic Acid ◽  
Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids ◽  
Human Milk ◽  
Dietary Intake ◽  
Infant Development ◽  
Infant Health ◽  
Dietary Fatty Acids ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Long Chain

Background Dietary long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids are known to benefit infant development. After birth, human milk provides arachidonic, eicosapentaenoic, and docosahexaenoic acids to the infant. Endocannabinoids are endogenous lipid mediators derived from the long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Although the roles and the mechanisms of action are not fully understood, previous researchers have suggested that endocannabinoids might play a role in infant feeding behavior. Research Aims To assess (i) maternal dietary intake of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and (ii) their relationship to concentrations of fatty acids and derived endocannabinoids in human milk. Methods For this exploratory-longitudinal study, participants ( N = 24) provided dietary intake data and milk samples. Fatty acids and derived endocannabinoids: Arachidonylethanolamide, arachidonoylglycerol, docosahexaenoyl glycerol, eicosapentaenoyl ethanolamide, and eicosapenaenoyl glycerol were identified in their milk by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and correlations to dietary fatty acids were assessed. Results Participants were not consuming recommended amounts of docosahexaenoic acid. Significant correlations ( p ≤ .05) were only found between dietary docosahexaenoic and eicosapentaenoic acids and the concentrations of these in human milk. Moreover, only dietary docosahexaenoic acid was correlated ( p = .031) with its corresponding endocannabinoid, docosahexaenoyl glycerol. Conclusions To the best of our knowledge, this may be one of the first studies evaluating relationships between dietary long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and multiple endocannabinoids in human milk. Our findings suggest that endocannabinoid concentrations could be modulated by dietary precursors. Future research studies can be designed based on these data to better elucidate the roles of endocannabinoids in human milk for infant health and development.

scholarly journals Untargeted Metabolomic Analysis of Gestationally Matched Human and Bovine Milk Samples at 2-Weeks Postnatal

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 1025-1025
Author(s):  
Dominick Lemas ◽  
Xinsong Du ◽  
Bethany Dado-Senn ◽  
Marina Magalhães ◽  
Larissa Iapicca ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Human Milk ◽  
Infant Health ◽  
High Resolution Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Bovine Milk ◽  
Normal Weight ◽  
Untargeted Metabolomics ◽  
Human Breast Milk ◽  
Metabolomic Analysis ◽  
Milk Samples

Abstract Objectives Human breast milk is the ideal nutrition source for infant development during the first year of life. Epidemiological data demonstrates that bovine whole milk is often substituted for human milk during the first 12-months of life and may be associated with adverse infant outcomes. The goal of this project is to interrogate the human and bovine milk metabolome at 2-weeks postnatal to identify unique and overlapping metabolites that may impact infant health outcomes. Methods Human milk (n = 10) was collected at 2-weeks postpartum from normal weight mothers (pre-pregnant BMI &lt;25 kg/m2) that vaginally delivered term infants and planned to exclusively breastfeed for at least 2-months. Similarly, bovine milk (n = 10) was collected 2-weeks postpartum from normal weight primiparous Holstein dairy cows. Dairy cattle were housed in sand-bedded, shaded barns with access to fans and water soakers and fed a common transition cow total mixed ration. Untargeted metabolomics was completed on all milk samples using high-resolution mass spectrometry. Metabolomic analysis was implemented using an open-source containerized metabolomics pipeline. Data processing was completed using MZmine, mummichog and Python were used for statistical analysis. Results We detected 716 metabolomic features in human and bovine milk samples after quality control. Our analysis also revealed that 43% (312) of metabolomics features were present in both human and bovine milk, 23% (167) of metabolomics features were unique to human milk and 33% (237) of metabolomics features existed only in bovine milk samples. Pathway analysis revealed that sialic acid and glycosphingolipid metabolism (P &lt; 0.0009) were common to human and bovine milk samples. We also found that amino acid (tryptophan, tyrosine, purine) metabolism (P &lt; 0.005) was unique to bovine samples and vitamin B3 pathways (P = 0.03) was unique to human samples. Conclusions Our analysis revealed a core milk metabolome shared between human and bovine samples. Collectively, these results highlight untargeted metabolomics as a potential strategy to identify unique and overlapping metabolites in bovine and human milk that may impact infant health outcomes. Funding Sources Research was supported by NIDDK/K01; SECIM P&F; CTSI Pilot Award; Robin Hood Foundation; NIH Loan Repayment Program.

scholarly journals Infant Intakes of Human Milk Amino Acids Are Associated With Maternal Obesity and Infant Growth

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 810-810
Author(s):  
Jessica Saben ◽  
Clark Sims ◽  
Lindsay Pack ◽  
Renny Lan ◽  
Aline Andres
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Human Milk ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Maternal Obesity ◽  
Child Growth ◽  
Infant Growth ◽  
Formula Milk ◽  
Mixed Effect ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Maternal Bmi

Abstract Objectives Branched chain amino acids (AA) (BCAAs: leucine (Leu), isoleucine (Ile), and valine) and aromatic AA (AAAs: phenylalanine (Phe) and tyrosine (Tyr)) have been hypothesized to take part in early-life metabolic programing. To date studies testing the effect of early-life AA consumption on metabolic programing have been focused on formula milk proteins, where increased consumption was associated with obesity risk. However, a knowledge gap exists regarding how variations in human milk (HM) free AA concentrations might impact child growth. Here, we aimed to characterize HM free AA concentrations and infant intakes of HM AAs from women with obesity (OB) compared to those with normal weight (NW). We hypothesized that infants born to women with OB would consume greater amounts of HM BCAAs and AAAs, which would be positively associated with their growth. Methods HM samples were collected at 0.5 months (0.5M; n = 151), 2 months (2M; n = 129), and 6 months (6M; n = 93) postpartum from NW (body mass index (BMI) = 18.5 – 24.9 kg/m2) and OB (BMI &gt; 30 kg/m2) mothers. HM free AA were quantified at each timepoint via mass spectrometry. Infant HM intake, anthropometrics and body composition were assessed at each timepoint. Linear mixed effect models examined the relationships between maternal BMI and HM AA composition, HM AA intake, and infant growth over the first 6Ms postpartum. Models were adjusted for maternal race, breastfeeding exclusivity, infant sex and infant age. Results Concentrations of Ile, Leu, and AAAs were higher (p &lt; 0.05) across all timepoints in HM from women with OB compared to those with NW. Infant intakes, normalized to kg body weight, of these AAs were only significantly higher at 2M. Maternal BMI was negatively associated (p &lt; 0.05) with infant intakes of HM asparagine, cystine, and histidine and positively associated with Ile, Leu, and AAAs intakes across timepoints. Infant intakes of HM Ile (b = −0.083), Leu (b = −0.045), and proline (b = -0.024) were negative predictors of infant weight-for-age z-scores over the first 6M postpartum (p &lt; 0.05). Conclusions Maternal obesity is associated with increased BCAA and AAA infant exposures over the first 6M of life. However, the impact of these AAs on infant growth are not consistent with observations made with infant formulas. Funding Sources USDA ARS Project # 6026-51,000-010-05S and 6026-51,000-012-06S.

scholarly journals The Shared Pleasure Paradigm: A study in an observational birth cohort in South Africa

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anusha Lachman ◽  
Esme R. Jordaan ◽  
Micky Stern ◽  
Kirsten A. Donald ◽  
Nadia Hoffman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Child Health ◽  
Birth Cohort ◽  
Infant Development ◽  
Infant Health ◽  
Health Study ◽  
Birth Cohort Study ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Infant Birth

AbstractMother–infant dyads in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) may be exposed to a range of factors associated with suboptimal development. Optimal infant development is likely supported by synchronicity in the early mother–infant relationship, but limited corroborative research is available in LMICs. The Drakenstein Child Health Study (DCHS) provided an opportunity to study this synchronicity and its associations in South Africa. A South African birth cohort study investigating early-life determinants of child health in a LMIC context provided participants. The Shared Pleasure (SP) paradigm helped assess early mother–infant synchronicity in videos of a sub-set of 291 mother–infant dyads at their 14-week well baby visit. General linear regression models investigated the relationship between selected maternal and infant characteristics and the presence of Shared Pleasure moments. Out of a possible 291 dyads, 82% (n = 239) yielded Shared Pleasure moments. The mean age of mothers was 27 years, while infant sex distribution comprised 54% females and 46% males. The shortest single Shared Pleasure moment lasted at least 0.5 s and the longest 28 s. Shared Pleasure moments were associated with higher gestation age at delivery (p = 0.008) and higher infant birth weight (p = 0.006), but were not related to mother's mental health and infant health outcomes at 14 weeks. The high frequency of positive Shared Pleasure moments in reciprocal dyadic interactions in this sample suggests that significant disruption in shared pleasure may be present only in extreme cases (e.g. mothers with severe mental disorders). Further work is needed to investigate the mechanisms underlying the associations between early mother–infant synchronicity and better outcomes noted here, and to assess whether SP may serve as a culturally appropriate screen for assessing connectedness.

scholarly journals Human milk extracellular vesicle miRNA expression and associations with maternal characteristics in a population-based cohort from the Faroe Islands

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Allison Kupsco ◽  
Diddier Prada ◽  
Damaskini Valvi ◽  
Lisa Hu ◽  
Maria Skaalum Petersen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Milk ◽  
Mirna Expression ◽  
Infant Development ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Endocrine System ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Small Rna Sequencing ◽  
Maternal Body Mass Index ◽  
Faroe Islands ◽  
Maternal Characteristics

AbstractHuman milk plays a critical role in infant development and health, particularly in cognitive, immune, and cardiometabolic functions. Milk contains extracellular vesicles (EVs) that can transport biologically relevant cargo from mother to infant, including microRNAs (miRNAs). We aimed to characterize milk EV-miRNA profiles in a human population cohort, assess potential pathways and ontology, and investigate associations with maternal characteristics. We conducted the first study to describe the EV miRNA profile of human milk in 364 mothers from a population-based mother-infant cohort in the Faroe Islands using small RNA sequencing. We detected 1523 miRNAs with ≥ one read in 70% of samples. Using hierarchical clustering, we determined five EV-miRNA clusters, the top three consisting of 15, 27 and 67 miRNAs. Correlation coefficients indicated that the expression of many miRNAs within the top three clusters was highly correlated. Top-cluster human milk EV-miRNAs were involved in pathways enriched for the endocrine system, cellular community, neurodevelopment, and cancers. miRNA expression was associated with time to milk collection post-delivery, maternal body mass index, and maternal smoking, but not maternal parity. Future studies investigating determinants of human EV-miRNAs and associated health outcomes are needed to elucidate the role of human milk EV-miRNAs in health and disease.

Research Regarding Content in Amino-acids and Biological Value of Proteins from Polyodon spathula Sturgeon Meat

2017 ◽  
Vol 68 (5) ◽  
pp. 1063-1069
Author(s):  
Cristina Simeanu ◽  
Daniel Simeanu ◽  
Anca Popa ◽  
Alexandru Usturoi ◽  
Dan Bodescu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Essential Amino Acids ◽  
Meat Production ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Chemical Methods ◽  
Biological Value ◽  
Polyodon Spathula ◽  
The One ◽  
Total Amino Acids

Polyodon spathula sturgeon breed is successfully reared in Romania in many fishery farms for meat production and it is capitalized on domestic market as consumption fish. In the current paper were studied a number of 1400 sturgeons from Polyodon spathula breed (1200 individuals of one summer - P.s.0+ and 200 individuals of fourth summers - P.s.3+). From this flock were weighted around 10%, for each age group, and for laboratory determinations were chosen 10 fishes for each age with the corporal mass close to the group mean. After analysing the fillets gathered from the studied fishes for establishing the chemical characteristics, nutritive and biological values of proteins were drawn some interesting conclusions. So, regarding chemical composition we notice that in the meat of analysed fishes water is in a rate of 75.41% at P.s.3+ and 78.37% for P.s.0+; proteins - between 18.08% for P.s.0+ and 19.89% for P.s.3+, values which place those fishes in the group of protein fishes; lipids - between 2.45% and 3.45%, values which situated those sturgeons in category of fishes with a low content in lipids; collagen � 3.83% at P.s.0+ and 4.14% at P.s.3+ which indicate low values for proteins of weak quality in the meat of those sturgeons. Study of nutritive value for the analysed fishes indicate the fact that fishes P.s.0+ have a mediocre nutritive value, having the ratio w/p of 4.33 while sturgeons P.s.3+ were placed in the 2nd category � fishes with a good nutritive value (rate w/p = 3.79). Energetic value of the studied fillets was 97.39 kcal/100 g for P.s.0+ and 114.31 kcal/100 g for P.s.3+, which enlightened an increase of nutritive value with aging, fact especially due to accumulation of adipose tissue. Study of proteins quality, through the presence of those 8 essential amino-acids in the meat of analysed fishes, show the fact that at sturgeons P.s.0+ proportion of essential amino-acids was 20.88% from total amino-acids, while at sturgeons P.s.3+ was 26.23%, fact which enlightened an increasing of proteins� biological value with fish aging. This fact was also shown by calculation of proteins� biological value through chemical methods (EAA index); calculated value for sturgeons P.s.0+ was a little bit lower (118.73) than the one calculated for sturgeons P.s.3+ (118.79).

scholarly journals More Than Shelter: Housing for Urban Maternal and Infant Health

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (7) ◽  
pp. 3331
Author(s):  
Jason Reece
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Maternal Health ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
City Planning ◽  
Infant Health ◽  
The United States ◽  
Housing Quality ◽  
Housing Discrimination ◽  
Maternal Health Outcomes ◽  
The Impact

Housing quality, stability, and affordability have a direct relationship to socioemotional and physical health. Both city planning and public health have long recognized the role of housing in health, but the complexity of this relationship in regard to infant and maternal health is less understood. Focusing on literature specifically relevant to U.S. metropolitan areas, I conduct a multidisciplinary literature review to understand the influence of housing factors and interventions that impact infant and maternal health. The paper seeks to achieve three primary goals. First, to identify the primary “pathways” by which housing influences infant and maternal health. Second, the review focuses on the role and influence of historical housing discrimination on maternal health outcomes. Third, the review identifies emergent practice-based housing interventions in planning and public health practice to support infant and maternal health. The literature suggests that the impact of housing on infant health is complex, multifaceted, and intergenerational. Historical housing discrimination also directly impacts contemporary infant and maternal health outcomes. Policy interventions to support infant health through housing are just emerging but demonstrate promising outcomes. Structural barriers to housing affordability in the United States will require new resources to foster greater collaboration between the housing and the health sectors.

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