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The effect of supplementation with fish oil during pregnancy on breast milk immunoglobulin A, soluble CD14, cytokine levels and fatty acid composition.
- Source :
- Clinical & Experimental Allergy; Aug2004, Vol. 34 Issue 8, p1237-1242, 6p
- Publication Year :
- 2004
-
Abstract
- Breast milk contains many immunomodulatory factors (soluble CD14 (sCD14), IgA and cytokines) with the potential to influence infant immune development. To determine if changes in breast milk ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 PUFA) composition as a result of maternal dietary fish oil supplementation during pregnancy can modify levels of these immunological parameters in breast milk. In a randomized controlled trial, 83 atopic women received either 4 g fish oil capsules (containing 3.7 g n-3 PUFA) ( n=40) or 4 g olive oil capsules ( n=43) from 20 weeks gestation until delivery. Breast milk was collected 3 days post-partum and fatty acids were analysed by gas liquid chromatography and IgA, sCD14 and cytokines (IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α and IFN-γ) were quantitated by ELISA or time resolved fluorescence (TRF). ω-3 docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n-3) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5n-3) levels were significantly higher ( P<0.001) in breast milk from women supplemented with fish oil ( n=33, DHA mean 1.15%, SD 0.47% and EPA mean 0.16%, SD 0.07%) than in samples from the control group ( n=40, DHA mean 0.50%, SD 0.17% and EPA mean 0.05%, SD 0.02%). Breast milk arachidonic acid (AA; 20:4n-6) levels were significantly lower ( P=0.045) in the fish oil group (mean 0.55%, SD 0.12%) compared with the control group (mean 0.61%, SD 0.14%). Breast milk IgA was positively correlated with DHA ( P=0.046) and 22:5n-3 ( P=0.003), but inversely correlated with linoleic acid (LA; 18:2n-6) ( P=0.034). Levels of sCD14 were also positively correlated with 22:5n-3 ( P=0.009). Cytokines involved in IgA synthesis (IL-10 and IL-6) were also significantly correlated with both IgA and n-3 PUFA levels, although there were no differences in the levels of breast milk IgA, sCD14 or cytokines between study groups. Supplementation with fish oil during pregnancy significantly alters early post-partum breast milk fatty acid composition. ω-3 PUFA levels were positively associated with IgA and sCD14 levels, suggesting a relationship between fatty acid status and mucosal immune function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 09547894
- Volume :
- 34
- Issue :
- 8
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Clinical & Experimental Allergy
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 14032856
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2222.2004.02028.x