Association between FADS Gene Expression and Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Breast Milk.

Huimin Tian,Wenhui Xu,Yiqi Lin,Guoliang Liu,Yiru Chen,Lin Xie,Haitao Yu,Yueting Li

doi:10.3390/nu14030457

Huimin Tian, Wenhui Xu + Show 6 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14030457

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Abstract

Polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) in breast milk provides physiological benefits for offspring and is closely related to endogenous biosynthesis in lactating women. Few studies have addressed the association between fatty acid desaturase (FADS) gene expression patterns and fatty acids in breast milk. This research aimed to explore the differences in PUFA levels among breast milk groups with different levels of FADS gene expression and provide a scientific basis for precision nutrition strategies. A total of 50 healthy women 42–45 days postpartum were included in this study. A basic information questionnaire and breast milk samples were collected. Eight types of PUFA were detected, and RNA was extracted from breast milk. The transcription level of the FADS gene was detected using real-time quantitative PCR. Significant differences in the content of gamma-linolenic acid and eicosatrienoic acid (C20:3n6) were found in breast milk among FADS1 gene transcription groups (p = 0.009, p = 0.042, respectively). No significant differences in PUFA were found among the FADS2 and FADS3 gene expression groups. The results demonstrated that n-6 PUFA was associated with the mRNA expression levels of the FADS1 gene. They are of great significance in developing new methods and diets to optimize infant feeding using breast milk.

Highlights

Breast milk, known as “white blood”, provides critical nutrients such as beneficial microbes, and it is an ideal food source for breastfeeding babies [1]
Studies have shown that the macronutrients present in breast milk are relatively consistent among lactating women [3], while fatty acids (FAs) content varies greatly [2,4,5]
FAs in breast milk are classified into saturated FA (SFA), monounsaturated FA (MUFA), and polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) according to the number of unsaturated double bonds in their chemical structure

Summary

Introduction

Known as “white blood”, provides critical nutrients such as beneficial microbes, and it is an ideal food source for breastfeeding babies [1]. FAs in breast milk are classified into saturated FA (SFA), monounsaturated FA (MUFA), and polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) according to the number of unsaturated double bonds in their chemical structure. N-3-series and n-6-series FAs exist in PUFA according to the position of their unsaturated double bonds [6]. These three types of FAs play different roles in the body. PUFA, in particular eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), plays a beneficial physiological role in offspring receiving this FA during critical periods of development [9]. It is well known that DHA plays an important role in the growth and development of the brain and retina in infants [10,11,12]

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