Effect of breast milk feeding from allergic and non-allergic mothers on allergic induced cytokine production

Abstract

Rationale Breast milk contains several components that provide specific immunity and affect the maturation of the infant's immune system. Allergic disease (AD), including atopic eczema, asthma, allergic rhinitis, and food allergy is characterized by an imbalance between cytokines produced by distinct T-helper cell subtypes. The objective was to investigate the concentrations and interactions of nutritional and inflammatory factors in breast milk. Methods The questionnaire survey about mother and their infant. And then breast milk samples were collected from mothers with AD (n=40) and without AD (n=40). Breast milk was collected at the second day and two or four weeks later. At the same time blood samples were collected. The level of cytokines (IL-4, IL-8, IL-10, IL-16, et al) and fatty acid (ω-3, ω-6) in breast milk were determined by commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits according to the manufacturer's instructions. From the blood samples we measured eosinophil counts, total IgE, specific IgE (milk, egg, et al). Results Mothers with AD had a higher concentration of Interlukine (IL)-4 in breast milk compared with those without AD ( p>0.001), and also IL-8, IL-16 was higher concentration in AD mother ( p>0.001). Whereas other cytokines concentrations or fatty acid composition were not significantly different between the groups. The high level of IL-16 had higher eosinophil level ( p>0.03). Conclusions Mother with AD had a higher concentration of IL-4 in breast milk. The IL-4 is the most important factor for induction of Th2-cell development and thereby production of Th2-cell cytokines. Further studies are necessary to evaluate longer follow up of breast milk components.