Human Milk Retains Important Immunologic Properties After Defatting

Abstract

Background: In neonatal chylothorax, thoracic lymphatic drainage is ineffective. The resultant effusions often require drainage, leading to a loss of immune components. Affected infants can be managed with formula or defatted human milk feedings low in long chain triglycerides to decrease lymph production. We hypothesized that there is no significant difference in the immunological profile or antibacterial effect of full fat and defatted human milk. Methods: Milk from lactating mothers was divided into one aliquot that was defatted via centrifugation with the full fat aliquot as control. Macronutrient content was analyzed with mid-infrared spectroscopy. Flow cytometry was used to measure immune cell populations. Lactoferrin, lysozyme, IgA and IgG values were determined using ELISA. The antibacterial properties were determined by inoculating paired full fat and defatted milk samples with Escherichia coli or Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria and performing colony counts. Results: Compared to full fat milk, defatted milk demonstrated decreased total energy and fat and increased carbohydrate concentrations. Defatted milk demonstrated a significant decrease in all immune cell populations. There was no difference in IgA, IgG, lysozyme or lactoferrin concentrations. Both aliquots demonstrated equivalent

Hmgcs2-mediated ketogenesis modulates high-fat diet-induced hepatosteatosis

“…Thus, our early-weaning study in postnatal ketogenic deficient mice suggests that a modified form of this treatment may be helpful in treating mHS and mHL patients, especially those presenting with fatty liver. As breast milk contains important nutrients for the development of the newborn [ 70 ], complete removal of the breast milk diet may not be feasible, instead defatted breast milk [ 71 ] or occasionally supplementing with low-fat milk formulations and high-carbohydrate dietary alternatives to reduce the overall intake of the high-fat breast milk, can be tested. Moreover, supplementation with ketone ester formulations, which have previously shown benefits in patients with FAO disorders (i.e., MAD, CACT, CPT2 deficiencies) [ [72] , [73] , [74] ] and inborn errors of ketogenesis (i.e., mHL deficiency) [ 74 ], as well as a low-fat maternal diet during pregnancy and lactation, would be interesting avenues to explore in the treatment and prevention of fatty liver in our postnatal ketogenic deficient mice.…”

Influence of Defatting and Pasteurization on Nutrients and Oxidative Stress Markers in Human Milk

“…Our findings were similar to those of Friend and Perrin (2020), who reported a mean protein concentration of about 0.9 (0.1) g/dl. Other researchers have reported higher concentrations (Jackson et al, 2020). Albumin is also an essential protein.…”

“…This is of fundamental importance, as human milk's proteins hold beneficial properties. Indeed, beside the developmental and immunological benefits, proteins like κ-casein, lactoferrin, lysozyme, haptocorrin, α-lactalbumin, and lactoperoxidase, possess antimicrobial properties (Jackson et al, 2020). Since they are relatively resistant against proteolysis in the gastrointestinal tract in an intact or partially digested form, they could contribute to the host defense of breastfed infants against pathogenic bacteria and viruses.…”

Growth of cardiac infants with post-surgical chylothorax can be supported using modified fat breast milk with proactive nutrient-enrichment and advancement feeding protocols; an open-label trial

“…While this work was motivated by our desire to facilitate the provision of bioactive and immunological components of breast milk to infants with postsurgical chylothorax, it is acknowledged that centrifuging and defatting breast milk may alter some immunological components. A study by Drewniak et al found that defatting breast milk decreased its IgA levels [39], while Jackson et al found there to be no difference in IgA, IgG, lactoferrin or lysozyme levels in breast milk after defatting [40]. They did however, find a decrease in immune cells (leukocytes), but despite this, the defatted breast milk was still able to retain its antimicrobial function by inhibiting Escherichia coli and Streptococcus pneumoniae bacterial growth [40].…”

“…A study by Drewniak et al found that defatting breast milk decreased its IgA levels [39], while Jackson et al found there to be no difference in IgA, IgG, lactoferrin or lysozyme levels in breast milk after defatting [40]. They did however, find a decrease in immune cells (leukocytes), but despite this, the defatted breast milk was still able to retain its antimicrobial function by inhibiting Escherichia coli and Streptococcus pneumoniae bacterial growth [40]. The impact of these changes on infant health outcomes is unknown.…”