title: Mammary epithelial paracellular permeability in atopic and non-atopic mothers versus childhood atopy.
abstract: Sodium/potassium (Na/K) ratios are considered to be a marker of mammary epithelial paracellular permeability. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between maternal atopy and Na/K ratios in breast milk and the association between Na/K ratios in breast milk and the development of atopy in the offspring. Early and mature milk samples were obtained from 30 atopic and 43 non-atopic women. We found no differences in the Na/K ratios between atopic and non-atopic women. At 18 months of age, 22 (30%) of the children had a positive skin prick test (SPT) and 26 (36%) had symptoms of atopic diseases. Overall, high levels of Na/K compared with low and slightly raised levels of Na/K in the maternal milk tended to be associated with a positive SPT and atopic disease. However, if the mother was atopic, high levels of Na/K in early or mature milk were associated with a significantly increased risk of a positive SPT or atopic disease in the offspring [RR = 4.8 (1.9-12)] whereas no such association was observed in non-atopic mothers [RR = 0.8 (0.4-1.7), p for interaction = 0.001]. Thus, high Na/K levels in the breast milk may be associated with the development of atopy and atopic diseases in the offspring of atopic mothers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology Research, Danish Epidemiology Science Centre, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark. cb@ssi.dk
authors.forename: Christine S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Benn
authors.forename: Malin F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Böttcher
authors.forename: Bo V
authors.initials: BV
authors.lastname: Pedersen
authors.forename: Suzanne M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Filteau
authors.forename: Karel
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Duchén
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D002463:Cell Membrane Permeability / Q000276:immunology*; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology*; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D042361:Mammary Glands, Human / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D011188:Potassium / Q000032:analysis; D012882:Skin Tests / Q000379:methods; D012964:Sodium / Q000032:analysis; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory; D016209:Interleukin-8; D012964:Sodium; D011188:Potassium