Abstract
Breast milk (BM) is beneficial due to its content in a wide range of different antioxidants, particularly relevant for preterm infants, who are at higher risk of oxidative stress. We hypothesize that BM antioxidants are adapted to gestational age and are negatively influenced by maternal age. Fifty breastfeeding women from two hospitals (Madrid, Spain) provided BM samples at days 7, 14 and 28 of lactation to assess total antioxidant capacity (ABTS), thiol groups, reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities, lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde, MDA + 4-Hydroxy-Trans-2-Nonenal, HNE), protein oxidation (carbonyl groups) (spectrophotometry) and melatonin (ELISA). Mixed random-effects linear regression models were used to study the influence of maternal and gestational ages on BM antioxidants, adjusted by days of lactation. Regression models evidenced a negative association between maternal age and BM melatonin levels (β = −7.4 ± 2.5; p-value = 0.005); and a negative association between gestational age and BM total antioxidant capacity (β = −0.008 ± 0.003; p-value = 0.006), SOD activity (β = −0.002 ± 0.001; p-value = 0.043) and protein oxidation (β = −0.22 ± 0.07; p-value = 0.001). In conclusion, BM antioxidants are adapted to gestational age providing higher levels to infants with lower degree of maturation; maternal ageing has a negative influence on melatonin, a key antioxidant hormone.
Highlights
It is well recognized that breastfeeding has many health benefits for the newborn, promoting development and providing protection against perinatal and long-term morbidities [1,2]
As we propose with sleep hygiene, it is possible that maternal diet is modified along lactation, in women with preterm infants, who spend time at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and may not be able to consume their regular diet
We propose that gestational age may be an important determinant of Breast milk (BM) antioxidant levels, which may be adapted, being higher in preterm infants matching their higher needs
Summary
It is well recognized that breastfeeding has many health benefits for the newborn, promoting development and providing protection against perinatal and long-term morbidities [1,2]. BM content in nutrients and bioactive molecules is dynamic and it depends on several factors, being the best characterized the period of lactation [3,5]. Maternal variables such as body composition, diet, exposure to toxic substances, maternal age or gestational age may modify the content of bioactive components in BM. Prematurity is associated with the development of important morbidities in the first weeks of life, including bronchopulmonary dysplasia, retinopathy of prematurity and necrotizing enterocolitis These complications are associated with oxidative stress, defined as the imbalance between pro-oxidants (mainly reactive oxygen species (ROS)) and antioxidant defenses [10]. BM contains many different antioxidants with synergic functions [4] and a global study addressing different types of antioxidant molecules in BM could provide a better picture
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