Abstract
COVID-19 pandemic since the end of 2019 spreads worldwide, counting millions of victims. The viral invasion, systemic inflammation, and consequent organ failure are the gravest features of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and they are associated with a high mortality rate. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of breast milk in the COVID-19 pandemic, analyzing its antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and immunoregulatory effects due to its bioactive components, so numerous and important for the protection of infants. The study tried to demonstrate that all the components of human milk are capable of performing functions on all the pathogenic events recognized and described in COVID-19 disease. Those human milk factors are well-tolerated and practically free of side effects, so breast milk should become a research topic to discover therapies even in this epidemic. In the first part, the mechanisms of protection and defense of the breast milk elements will be delineated; in the second section, it will describe the human milk effects in viral infections and it will be hypothesized how the known mechanisms could act in COVID infection.
Highlights
Since the end of 2019, an acute severe viral infection has emerged with rapid transmission around the world to over a million people within a few months
The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of breast milk in the COVID-19 pandemic, analyzing its antiviral, antiinflammatory, and immunoregulatory effects due to the bioactive components
The puzzle of the COVID infection is being put together over this period of months; the knowledge of breast milk is a much larger and complex puzzle, which is missing several pieces, and that is why we talk about the “mystery of breast milk,” and who knows, possibly from the study of this mystery, answers can be gained to help with the great epidemics of humanity
Summary
Since the end of 2019, an acute severe viral infection has emerged with rapid transmission around the world to over a million people within a few months. Breast milk contains several hundred proteins, which play functional roles in the protection of the child; they provide nutrition, stimulate the absorption of nutrients, and provide biological activities, ranging from antimicrobial effects to immunostimulatory These molecules have broad-spectrum anti-infective power against bacteria, viruses, and fungi, as well as synergic activity with conventional antibiotics [104, 105]. The average concentration in breast milk is comparatively high (∼140 mg/L) and about half maximal levels are maintained beyond 1 year of lactation [160] It plays an important role in immune activation and immune regulation by acting as chemotactic agent and stimulates both pro- and anti-inflammatory processes. The puzzle of the COVID infection is being put together over this period of months; the knowledge of breast milk is a much larger and complex puzzle, which is missing several pieces, and that is why we talk about the “mystery of breast milk,” and who knows, possibly from the study of this mystery, answers can be gained to help with the great epidemics of humanity
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