Relevance of rhein excretion into breast milk.
The excretion of rhein, a laxatively active metabolite of sennosides, was investigated in 100 breast milk samples of 20 post-partum women after intake of a standardized senna laxative (Agiolax), which also contains seeds of Plantago ovata as bulk substances. After daily doses of 5 g of the senna laxative containing 15 mg sennosides for 3 days, the rhein concentration in milk samples from every lactation during 24 h post-dose varied between 0 and 27 ng/ml with values below 10 ng/ml in 94%. Based on median values, 0.007% of the sennoside intake (calculated as rhein) was excreted in breast milk. None of the breast-fed infants had an abnormal stool consistency. Assuming a (theoretical) complete metabolism of sennosides to rhein in the mother, the amount of rhein delivered to the infant (ng/kg b.w.) is by the factor 10(-3) below the rhein intake of the mother.
Faber
P
P
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Prosper-Klinik, Recklinghausen, FRG.
Strenge-Hesse
A
A
D000880:Anthraquinones / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D001693:Biological Transport, Active; D002400:Cathartics / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007774:Lactation / Q000378:metabolism; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012676:Senna Extract / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
D000880:Anthraquinones; D002400:Cathartics; D012676:Senna Extract; C020491:rhein