Folic Acid Effect on Arginase Activity in Human Colostrum and Mature Milk

Abstract

Abstract Folic acid, or folates are available from a large variety of sources, such as green leafy vegetables (spinach, beans) and liver. The importance of folates is based on their requirement as coenzymes in the transfer and utilization of one-carbon units in a variety of biosynthetic reactions. Folate is an essential cofactor for the de novo biosynthesis of purine nucleotides and thymine, thus influencing RNA and DNA synthesis. Therefore, during periods of rapid cell regeneration and growth, such as pregnancy and infancy, increased amounts of folate are required. Folate has the roles in the prevention of neural tube defects, an important cause of infant mortality and disability. The periconceptional folic acid intake reduces the risk of neural tube defects. Arginase, as part of the urea cycle, detoxifies human body from ammonia. Its activity is important in the production of ornithine, subsequently leading to the production of polyamines (spermine and spermidine), glutamate or proline, and nitric oxide. Arginase is normally present in mother's milk. In the present study, the effect of folic acid supplementation during pregnancy on the dynamics of arginase activity and malondialdehyde concentration in human colostrum and mature milk was studied. The obtained results suggest that in breastfeeding mothers' colostrum and mature human milk samples, supplemented with folic acid during pregnancy (400mg/daily periconceptionaly), the arginase activity increases compared with the enzyme activity in milk samples taken from mothers who did not take folic acid. At the same time, the supplementation with folic acid causes malondialdehyde decrease in colostrum and mature milk.