Abstract
Term human milk contains a lipase which hydrolyzes milk lipid in the infant's intestine after activation by bile salts. Since this lipase (BSSL) could play an important role in fat digestion in preterm infants (by compensating for low pancreatic lipase), we have measured its activity-(hydrolysis of tri-3H olein, expressed as μmol free fatty acid (FFA) released/ml milk/min)-in milk collected for 3 months from 47 women who delivered after 26-36 wks of pregnancy (P). Since this lipase also has bile salt stimulated esterase (BSSE) activity, we have compared the ontogeny of BSSL and BSSE-hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl acetate. The data show: 1. BSSL activity did not change with length of gestation or lactation, suggesting that the fat in preterm milk can be extensively hydrolyzed by its endogenous BSSL. 2. BSSE activity was higher in preterm milk and colostrum and decreased thereafter suggesting that esterolytic activity develops earlier than lipolytic activity. 3. Storage at 4° leads to progressive loss for its bile salt requirement, suggesting that BSSE might be associated with breast milk jaundice.(NIH grants HD10823 and AM26641)
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