Maternal soybean diet during lactation alters breast milk composition and programs the lipid profile in adult male rat offspring

Quantification of phospholipids and glycerides in human milk using ultra-performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Human milk lipids, which are an important source of energy and affect growth and development of infants, require a comprehensive method for its qualitative and quantitative analysis. This work describes a method for the analysis of phospholipids, glycerides, free fatty acids and gangliosides in human milk by ultra-performance liquid chromatography using a C18 column with quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (Q-TOF-MS). The lipids were extracted by liquid-liquid extraction and phospholipids were separated by solid phase extraction (SPE). The chromatographic columns with two different specifications (4.6 mm × 150 mm, and 3 mm × 50 mm) were used to detect phospholipids and glycerides in human milk, respectively. The sphingolipids and glycerides were analyzed in positive ion mode, and the glycerophospholipids and free fatty acids were analyzed in negative ion mode. Both internal and external standards were used for absolute quantification in this experiment. 483 species of lipids, including phospholipids, glycerides, free fatty acids and gangliosides, in human milk were analyzed using UPLC-Q-TOF-MS with high sensitivity and good linearity, with coefficient of correlation above 0.99, the relative standard deviation of accuracy and precision less than 10%. The results in a large number of human milk samples showed that this method was suitable for qualitative and quantitative analysis of lipids in human milk, even for other mammalian milk and infant formulae.

Effect of Epidermal Growth Factor in Human Milk and Maternal Diet on Late-Onset Breast Milk Jaundice: A Case-Control Study in Beijing

Breast milk is crucial in the development of late-onset breast milk jaundice (BMJ), possibly due to the composition of breast milk and the lactating mother’s diet. To explore the possible nutritional pathogenesis of late-onset BMJ, we investigated the lactation diet and collected breast milk by following the 42-day postpartum mother−infants pairs in Beijing and a total of 94 pairs were enrolled. The macronutrient content of breast milk was measured, and the epidermal growth factor (EGF) content in breast milk was determined by ELISA. Data on in-hospital and out-of-hospital breastfeeding, infant growth, jaundice-related vaccination, and puerperium diet were collected. The BMJ group received the second dose of hepatitis B vaccine later than the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). The EGF concentration in breast milk was lower in the BMJ group than in the control group (p = 0.03). When EGF increased by 1 ng/mL, the transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) value decreased by 0.33 ng/mL and 0.27 ng/mL before and after the adjustment, respectively. A 1 g increase in oil intake led to a 0.38 ng/mL increase in EGF concentration before the adjustment. With a 1 g increase in oil intake, the TcB value decreased by 0.27 ng/mL before the adjustment, and with a 1 g increase in soybean and soybean product intake, the TcB value decreased by 0.34 ng/mL after the adjustment. Collectively, EGF in breast milk may inhibit the occurrence of late-onset BMJ, and the dietary intake of oil in lactating mothers may affect the level of EGF in breast milk, thus affecting the occurrence of late-onset BMJ. Finally, dietary oil intake may be a protective factor for the occurrence of late-onset BMJ by increasing EGF levels in breast milk.

Nutritional and in vitro antioxidant activity analyses of formulated soymilk dessert

Soymilk (SM) is nutritionally nearly equal to milk from cows and is free of cholesterol, gluten, and lactose. This study's objective was to formulate a cholesterol-free soymilk dessert (SOD) and compare it's to commercial desserts (CODs). Results indicated that the CODs contain substantial amounts of cholesterol while SOD does not. Soymilk dessert has more protein, and vitamin E than CODs, but less fat and calcium. In addition, the result also highlighted that SOD has higher number of amino acids compared to CODs. The total antioxidant, flavonoids and phenolics content of SOD were significantly higher than CODs. Furthermore, the in vitro antioxidant activity of SOD and CODs by DPPH and ABTS methods revealed that the IC50 of SODs significantly (p < 0.001) lower than CODs, and lower IC50 indicated the higher free radical scavenging power of SODs than CODs. These findings indicated that this non-dairy SOD may provide beneficial protein, as well as minerals, and antioxidants to support the body's various physiological functions.

Therapeutic Efficacy of Flavonoids in Allergies: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

Objective

To assess the clinical efficacy of flavonoid supplements on allergic diseases.

Design

Systematic review. Data Sources. MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase databases were searched from inception to September 2021. Eligibility Criteria for Selecting Studies. Eligible study designs were randomized controlled trials that investigated the effect of flavonoids applied to allergic diseases.

Results

This review included 15 randomized controlled trials, including allergic rhinitis/cedar pollinosis (n = 10), asthma (n = 3), and atopic dermatitis (n = 2). A total of 990 participants aged 6 to 69 years were included in these studies. Globally, 12 studies (80%) revealed some benefits of flavonoids (isolate or combined with other compounds) in allergic patients, while three studies (20%) reported no statistically significant impact on symptom scores and/or lung function. No severe adverse events related to treatment were reported. According to the GRADE system, the outcomes evaluated were of low to moderate quality of evidence.

Conclusions

Overall, this review suggests that the administration of flavonoids may provide a viable strategy for mitigating allergic symptoms. Future trials with high methodological quality are needed to establish definitive conclusions. This trial is registered with PROSPERO registration no. CRD42021237403.

Different Protein Sources in the Maternal Diet of the Rat during Gestation and Lactation Affect Milk Composition and Male Offspring Development during Adulthood

Protein sources in maternal diet are important for mammary gland differentiation and milk protein; however, few studies have examined the metabolic and cellular adaptations of mothers based on protein source diets during pregnancy and lactation, and leptin concentration in offspring. We evaluated metabolic parameters and maternal key organs and milk components in mothers at the end of lactation, who were fed different sources of proteins. In postnatal day 110 and 250, we studied development parameters and leptin in male offspring. Female rats received a Vegetal (V) or Animal (A) diet during pregnancy and lactation. After weaning, male offspring ate V diet until postnatal day 250, which yielded two groups: Vv and Av. Milk dry, protein and fat were analyzed. Maternal metabolic parameters, leptin, and liver, adipose tissue and mammary gland histological analyses were studied. Body weight, food intake and leptin were analyzed in offspring at two ages. Adipose tissue weight and cells size and liver fat, mammary gland apoptosis, weight, milk protein and leptin were higher in A vs V. Maternal liver and milk dry were lower in A vs V. All offspring parameters were higher in Av vs Vv at postnatal day 110; however, at postnatal day 250, leptin was higher in Av vs Vv. Maternal serum and milk leptin had a positive correlation with offspring serum leptin at both ages. Consumption of animal protein-based diets by mothers during developmental periods affects specific maternal organs and changes milk composition during lactation, leading to a hyperleptinemic phenotype in male offsprings.

Maternal soy protein isolate diet during lactation programs deleterious effects on hepatic lipid metabolism, atherogenic indices, and function of adrenal in adult rat offspring

The benefits of consuming soy and its protein have been reported in many studies. However, its phytoestrogen content raises concerns about consumption during lactation and gestation We therefore examined the effects of soybean or soy protein isolate on the parameters-related cardiovascular pathophysiology in lactating mothers and their offsprings at weaning and adulthood. Lactating rats were divided: casein control (C); soy protein isolate (SPI); and soybean (S). At weaning, half of the litter received commercial ration up to 150 days. The levels of 17-β-estradiol and superoxide dismutase were low in the S mothers. For the SPI mothers, we observed a reduction of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). At weaning, atherogenic indices [1 = total cholesterol (TC)/HDL; 2 = LDL/HDL; 3 = TC-HDL/HDL)] decreased in the S and SPI offsprings compared to the casein control group; TBARS and antioxidant enzymes increased in the S offspring, while reduced/oxidized glutathione ratio increased in the SPI offspring, indicating lower oxidative stress. In adulthood, the SPI offspring showed an increase in liver cholesterol and atherogenic index 1 and 3 (vs. C and S) and 2 (vs. S). In addition, we found a decrease in catecholamines in the adrenal medulla and an increase in caffeine-stimulated secretion, but tyrosine hydroxylase expression remained constant. Maternal consumption of SPI during lactation worsened atherogenic indices of the offsprings in adulthood, which was associated with increased liver cholesterol and decreased catecholamines in the adrenal medulla. Soy consumption had no consistent long-term effects on the evaluated parameters compared to casein consumption. The data suggest that the consumption of SPI during lactation should be done with caution.

Animal Models for In Vivo Lactation Studies: Anatomy, Physiology and Milk Compositions in the Most Used Non-Clinical Species: A Contribution from the ConcePTION Project

Simple Summary

Nowadays, the importance of breastfeeding has been very well recognized not only by the scientific world but also by public opinion. Such awareness has nonetheless put a lot of pressure on women under chronic pharmacological medication, or that simply need to alleviate common post-partum health issues, due to the lack of scientific data regarding the potential transfer to the offspring during lactation. In such a scenario, the ConcePTION project aims at creating a trusted ecosystem that can efficiently generate and disseminate reliable evidence-based information regarding the effects of medications used during pregnancy and breastfeeding to women and their healthcare providers. Due to the need for a reliable animal species to obtain scientific data, the present review summarizes the main features contributing to the lactation process in the most commonly used laboratory animal species.

Abstract

The present review aims to summarize the main features of mammary gland anatomy, and the physiology of lactation and colostrum/milk in the most commonly used animal species for regulatory toxicity. The final goal is the selection of a preferred animal species to be enrolled in studies investigating the potential transfer of drugs and exogenous molecules through milk, within the Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI) funded project ConcePTION. Reference data regarding humans were also collected and analyzed in order to highlight critical similarities and differences with the studied species. Additional practical considerations were also taken into account, such as ethical consideration regarding the chosen species which affects the group size, financial implications and technical feasibility of lactation trials (e.g., ease of sampling, volume of sampling, husbandry requirements and scientific recognition). In conclusion, the present analysis of the literature confirms the complexity of the decisional process behind the choice of an animal model for in vivo trials. For some of the evaluated species, data were either poor or missing, highlighting the necessity to generate more physiological background studies for species that are routinely used in laboratory settings. Overall, when taking into consideration ethical factors, feasible group size, milk volume and ease of milk collection, and physiological similarities with humans, minipigs seem to represent the most appropriate choice.

Quantitative profiling of glycerides, glycerophosphatides and sphingolipids in Chinese human milk with ultra-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Human milk lipids are an important energy source and essential nutrients for the growth and development of infants. The UPLC/Q-TOF-MS was used to qualitatively and quantitatively analyze human milk lipids. Totally, 411 species of lipids were identified, in which the content of OPL was generally higher than that of OPO; SM (75.38 mg/L, 40.39%), PE (51.12 mg/L, 27.39%) and PC (40.10 mg/L, 21.49%) had the highest contents among polar lipids, mainly including SM42:2:2 (22.24 mg/L), PE36:2 (C18:0-C18:2, 21.39 mg/L) and PC36:2 (C18:0-C18:2, 19.80 mg/L). In human milk, TAG56:7 (137.14 mg/L), TAG56:8 (59.49 mg/L), TAG58:8 (65.90 mg/L) and TAG58:9 (49.99 mg/L) were the main sources of AA and DHA; PE was an important source of AA and DHA in polar lipids; and linoleic acyl in glycerides and phospholipids had higher contents than other polyunsaturated fatty acyls. These results provided the scientific basis for the simulation of human milk at molecular level.

Preclinical Evidence of Probiotics in Colorectal Carcinogenesis: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer, the second major cause of cancer deaths, imposes a major health burden worldwide. There is growing evidence that supports that the use of probiotics is effective against various diseases, especially in gastrointestinal diseases, including the colorectal cancer, but the differences between the strains, dose, and frequency used are not yet clear.

AIMS

To perform a systematic review to compile the results of studies carried out in animal models and investigated the effect of probiotics on colorectal carcinogenesis.

METHODS

Studies were selected in PubMed/MEDLINE and Scopus according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Search filters were developed using three parameters: probiotics, colorectal cancer, and animal model.

RESULTS

From a structured search, we discovered 34 original articles and submitted them to a risk of bias analysis using SYRCLE's tool. The studies show a great diversity of models, most were conducted in rats (55.8%) and used 1,2 dimethylhydrazine as the drug to induce colorectal carcinogenesis (61.7%). The vast majority of trials investigated Lactobacillus (64%) and Bifidobacterium (29.4%) strains. Twenty-six (86.6%) studies found significant reduction in lesions or tumors in the animals that received probiotics. The main methodological limitation was the insufficient amount of information for the adequate reproducibility of the trials, which indicated a high risk of bias due to incomplete characterization of the experimental design.

CONCLUSIONS

The different probiotics' strains showed anti-carcinogenic effect, reduced the development of lesions and intestinal tumors, antioxidant and immunomodulatory activity, and reduced fecal bacterial enzymes.

Importance of the lactation period in developmental programming in rodents

Lactation is a critical period during which maternal nutritional and environmental challenges affect milk composition and, therefore, organ differentiation, structure, and function in offspring during the early postnatal period. Evidence to date shows that lactation is a vulnerable time during which transient insults can have lasting effects, resulting in altered health outcomes in offspring in adult life. Despite the importance of the developmental programming that occurs during this plastic period of neonatal life, there are few comprehensive reviews of the multiple challenges—especially to the dam—during lactation. This review presents milk data from rodent studies involving maternal nutritional challenges and offspring outcome data from studies involving maternal manipulations during lactation. Among the topics addressed are maternal nutritional challenges and the effects of litter size and artificial rearing on offspring metabolism and neural and endocrine outcomes. The lactation period is an opportunity to correct certain functional deficits resulting from prenatal challenges to the fetus, but, if not personalized, can also lead to undesirable outcomes related to catch up-growth and overnutrition.

Maternal soy protein isolate diet during lactation programmes to higher metabolic risk in adult male offspring

Soy consumption and its components, including its protein, are related to the beneficial effects of the lipid profile, decreased insulin resistance and glycaemia. However, the safety of the consumption of products containing phytoestrogens in critical stages of development has been questioned, since they may be associated with endocrine-metabolic dysfunctions in adult life. The purpose is to evaluate the effects of maternal dietary soy protein isolate (SPI) during lactation on the breast milk composition, body composition, lipid and glycaemic profiles, and thyroid hormones of dams and offspring at weaning (21 days) and in adulthood (150 days). Lactating rats were divided into casein control (C) and SPI diet groups. At 150 days, the SPI offspring presented lower body protein mass and total mineral content, higher serum FT4, insulin, TC and TG. Maternal consumption of SPI during lactation programmes the progeny to higher metabolic risk profile.

Enhanced hepatic cholesterol accumulation induced by maternal betaine exposure is associated with hypermethylation of CYP7A1 gene promoter

PURPOSE

Betaine contains three methyl groups and plays a critical role in regulating glucose and lipid metabolism via epigenetic modifications. However, it is unclear whether prenatal betaine intake could affect cholesterol metabolism of progeny through DNA methylation.

METHODS

Hence, pregnant rats were randomly divided into control and betaine groups fed standard diet or 1% betaine supplementation diet, respectively, throughout gestation and lactation.

RESULTS

Maternal betaine exposure significantly (P < 0.05) increased serum and hepatic cholesterol contents but not triglyceride levels in offspring rats. Accordantly, maternal intake of betaine markedly downregulated (P < 0.05) hepatic cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) expression at both the mRNA and protein level, while the protein content of low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) was upregulated in the liver of betaine-exposed rats. In addition, prenatal betaine supplementation extremely increased (P < 0.05) hepatic betaine-homocysteine methyltransferase (BHMT) expression at the mRNA and protein level but not affected the expression of other key enzymes involved in methionine metabolism. Furthermore, hepatic hypermethylation of CYP7A1 gene promoter was observed in progeny rats derived from betaine-supplemented dams.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results provide evidence that maternal betaine supplementation significantly enhances hepatic cholesterol contents accompanied with alterations of cholesterol metabolic genes and hypermethylation in offspring rats at weaning.

Maternal high-fat diet impairs follicular development of offspring through intraovarian kisspeptin/GPR54 system

BACKGROUND

Excessive gestational weight gain (GWG), which is associated with adverse long-term effects on the health of the offspring, has become a major clinical problem. Accumulating evidence indicates that the ovary kisspeptin/GPR54 system directly participates in a series of physiological activities. We used a model of high-fat diet (HFD) during gestational to investigate offspring's ovarian function and whether kisspeptin/GPR54 system is involved.

METHODS

After introducing the male and confirmation of mating by checking a vaginal sperm plug, female rats were randomized into two groups: control diet called NCD group and high-fat diet called HFD group. After birth, all rats were changed into a control diet and litter size was adjusted to 12 pups per litter. Ovaries were collected for assessment at postnatal day (PND) 4 and PND 30. The timing of vaginal opening was recorded, and the estrous cyclicity was monitored for 2 consecutive weeks immediately. Primary granulosa cells and ovaries which were taken from PND 4 were collected for determination of the direct effect of kisspeptin-10 (kp-10) in vitro.

RESULTS

Neonatal rats exposed to HFD during gestation had a lower number of secondary follicles in the ovary. The expression of follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) and kisspeptin was not altered. At prepuberty, the number of antral follicles and preovulatory follicles was elevated with decreased type III follicles in the HFD group. While the expression of ovulation-related genes was decreased, the expression levels of follicular growth-related genes and steroidogenesis synthesis related genes were elevated. A significant increase in kiss1 mRNA and kisspeptin protein was detected without changes in kiss1r mRNA and GPR54. Maternal high-fat diet during gestation resulted in a significant advanced puberty onset and an irregular estrous cycle in offspring rats. In addition, the administration of kp-10 produced an increase in viability of primary granulosa cells and enlarged the size of oocytes.

CONCLUSIONS

HFD exposure during maternal gestation had a long-term effect on reproductive function in the offspring and the increased ovarian kisspeptin/GPR54 system might be involved.