title: Administration of a multistrain probiotic product (VSL#3) to women in the perinatal period differentially affects breast milk beneficial microbiota in relation to mode of delivery.
abstract: Probiotic supplementation to a mother during the perinatal period can have a positive impact on the breast milk composition. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of oral supplementation with the probiotic VSL#3, during late pregnancy and lactation, on breast milk levels of beneficial bacteria and some functional components (oligosaccharides and lactoferrin) potentially able to have a positive influence on the microbiota. Breast milk microbiota was analyzed by conventional and quantitative real-time PCR. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial, 66 women took daily either the probiotic (n=33) or a placebo (n=33). Intergroup analysis demonstrated that the amounts of both lactobacilli and bifidobacteria were significantly higher in the colostrum and mature milk of the mothers taking VSL#3 in comparison to those taking placebo. The analysis of bacterial strains and species present in breast milk of VSL#3 supplemented mothers indicated that the administered probiotic microorganisms did not pass from maternal gut to mammary gland. In women with vaginal delivery, significantly higher amounts of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria were detected in colostrum and mature milk of probiotic treated group in comparison to placebo group, whereas no significant difference was observed between groups in women who had caesarean section, neither in colostrum nor in mature milk. Milk levels of oligosaccharides and lactoferrin were similar in placebo and probiotic supplemented groups at all timepoints and regardless of the mode of delivery. Our results indicate a probiotic-dependent modulation of breast milk microbiota in vaginally delivering women, possibly exerted through a systemic effect.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Section of Microbiology, Sapienza University, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, I-00185 Rome, Italy. Electronic address: paola.mastromarino@uniroma1.it.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mastromarino
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Section of Microbiology, Sapienza University, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, I-00185 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Capobianco
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, I-00185 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Alfredo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Miccheli
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, I-00185 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Praticò
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, I-00185 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Campagna
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Science and Oncology, Section of Neonatology and NICU, University of Bari, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Laforgia
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Science and Oncology, Section of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University of Bari, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Capursi
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Science and Oncology, Section of Neonatology and NICU, University of Bari, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Baldassarre
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001644:Bifidobacterium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000302:isolation & purification; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000379:methods*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D064307:Microbiota / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D008875:Middle Aged; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000382:microbiology*; D018743:Perinatal Care / Q000379:methods*; D011247:Pregnancy; D019936:Probiotics / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial
keywords: Breast milk; Milk functional components; Milk microbiota; Mode of delivery; Probiotic