4‐Hydroxynonenol is present in human milk and related to gestational age at delivery and excessive infant weight gain (247.6)

Abstract

4‐hydroxynonenol (HNE; a protein adduct product of lipid peroxidation) may serve as a novel marker of oxidative stress in human milk (HM). We investigated the determinants of HNE in HM and relationships between HNE and maternal BMI, HM cytokines, and infant growth.Anthropometry was performed on 36 mothers and their healthy term (37‐42 weeks) exclusively breastfed infants at T1 (2 weeks), T2 (4 months) and T3 (6 months). HM was collected at T1 and T2 for macronutrient, HNE, IL‐6, IL‐8, and TNF‐α analysis. Infants gaining more than 0.66 weight‐for‐length Z‐scores from T1 to T3 were considered over‐gainers.HNE in HM decreased from T1 to T2 (p<0.01); this decrease was attenuated when controlling for total protein in HM (HNE:PRO) (p=0.09). HNE concentrations at T1 were positively associated with those at T2 (p=0.02, R2=0.16). Gestational age at delivery was inversely associated with HNE:PRO (p=0.02; R2=0.16). HNE:PRO (but not unadjusted HNE) was higher in HM of female infants at T1 (p=0.02) and T2 (p=0.09). HNE in HM was not related to maternal BMI or HM cytokine or macronutrient composition. HM of over‐gainers at T2 exhibited a trend for higher HNE:PRO (p=0.095) (but no difference in unadjusted HNE).These preliminary results suggest that HNE in HM may be impacted by length of gestation. HM HNE may affect infant weight gain patterns. Further research is warranted to fully characterize effects of this pro‐oxidant marker.Grant Funding Source: Supported by NIH T32 DK007658‐21, 5K24DK083772; Thrasher Research Fund; University of Colorado CCTSI