title: Immune factors and fatty acid composition in human milk from river/lake, coastal and inland regions of China.
abstract: Breast milk fatty acid composition may be affected by the maternal diet during gestation and lactation. The influence of dietary and breastmilk fatty acids on breast milk immune factors is poorly defined. We determined the fatty acid composition and immune factor concentrations of breast milk from women residing in river/lake, coastal and inland regions of China, which differ in their consumption of lean fish and oily fish. Breast milk samples were collected on days 3–5 (colostrum), 14 and 28 post-partum (PP) and analysed for soluble CD14 (sCD14), transforming growth factor (TGF)-b1, TGF-b2, secretory IgA (sIgA) and fatty acids. The fatty acid composition of breast milk differed between the regions and with time PP. The concentrations of all four immune factors in breast milk decreased over time, with sCD14, sIgA and TGF-b1 being highest in the colostrum in the river and lake region. Breast milk DHA and arachidonic acid (AA) were positively associated, and g-linolenic acid and EPA negatively associated, with the concentrations of each of the four immune factors. In conclusion, breast milk fatty acids and immune factors differ between the regions in China characterised by different patterns of fish consumption and change during the course of lactation. A higher breast milk DHA and AA concentration is associated with higher concentrations of immune factors in breast milk, suggesting a role for these fatty acids in promoting gastrointestinal and immune maturation of the infant.
authors.affiliation: Hugh Sinclair Unit of Human Nutrition, Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Whiteknights, PO Box 226, The University of Reading, Reading RG6 6AP, UK.
authors.forename: Heidi J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Urwin
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Yixiong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Chunrong
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Lixiang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Pengkun
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Qingqing
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Man
authors.forename: Liping
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Meng
authors.forename: Livar
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Frøyland
authors.forename: Elizabeth A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Miles
authors.forename: Philip C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Calder
authors.forename: Parveen
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Yaqoob
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002681:China; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003710:Demography; D004032:Diet; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005504:Food Analysis; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D060106:Lakes; D008894:Milk Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D009792:Oceans and Seas; D011247:Pregnancy; D045483:Rivers; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D005227:Fatty Acids; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D008894:Milk Proteins