title: Influence of postpartum supplementation with vitamin A on the levels of immunoglobulin A in human colostrum.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the influence of supplementation with retinyl palmitate in the immediate postpartum period on the levels of secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) in colostrum.
  
  
  METHODS
  A clinical trial was conducted among 96 recently-delivered mothers treated at a public maternity hospital, divided into control group, which was not supplemented (n = 44), and test group, supplemented on the first day postpartum (n = 52). Samples of 2 mL of colostrum were collected on the first 2 days postpartum. SIgA was measured by turbidimetry and data were analyzed by the Student t test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Before supplementation, the average SIgA was 829.1±337.6 mg/dL in the control group and 827.3±249.8 mg/dL in the test group (p = 0.52). After supplementation, the average SIgA was 343.9±177.2 mg/dL in the unsupplemented group and 501.2±54.5 mg/dL in the supplemented group (p < 0.00001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The colostrum of women supplemented with retinyl palmitate has higher levels of SIgA, which suggests that the production of antibodies is modulated by vitamin A.
authors.affiliation: Acadêmica de Nutrição, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Departamento de Nutrição, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil.
authors.forename: Mayara S R
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Lima
authors.forename: Penha P C
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Ribeiro
authors.forename: Jovilma M S
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Medeiros
authors.forename: Isabelle F
authors.initials: IF
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Ana C P
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Medeiros
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dimenstein
mesh_terms: D003126:Colostrum / Q000276:immunology*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004224:Diterpenes; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D000084562:Retinyl Esters; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D004224:Diterpenes; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory; D000084562:Retinyl Esters; D014815:Vitamins; D014801:Vitamin A; C014794:retinol palmitate