Alkaline phosphatase activity in human colostrum as a valuable predictive biomarker for lactational mastitis in nursing mothers.
OBJECTIVE
Biochemical investigations have shown that an indigenous milk enzyme - alkaline phosphatase (ALP) - which is detectable in the lactocytes, plays a very important diagnostic role in clinical medicine, since its activity varies in different tissues and serves as a specific indicator of disease states. The purpose of this study was to evaluate ALP activity in human colostrum as a possible early predictive biomarker for lactational mastitis in nursing mothers.


METHODS
During a period from May to July 2010, a total of 60 healthy nursing mothers were recruited for this study.


RESULTS
The mean level of colostrum ALP activity from the affected breasts was significantly higher when compared with ALP activity from the contralateral asymptomatic as well as 'healthy' breasts (p < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Determining ALP activity in colostrum could be a valuable biochemical marker for an early prediction of mastitis in nursing mothers.
Department of Hygiene, Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Nis, Čarnojevića street 10, Nis, Serbia. ljilja975@gmail.com
Ljiljana
L
Bjelakovic
Gordana
G
Kocic
Bojko
B
Bjelakovic
Nikola
N
Zivkovic
Dusica
D
Stojanović
Danka
D
Sokolovic
Ivana
I
Mladenovic-Ciric
Dusan
D
Sokolovic
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000032:analysis*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D001942:Breast Feeding; D003126:Colostrum / Q000201:enzymology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007774:Lactation; D008413:Mastitis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D009035:Mothers; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy
D015415:Biomarkers; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase