Cytokine distribution in mothers and breastfed children after omega-3 LCPUFAs supplementation during the last trimester of pregnancy and the lactation period: A randomized, controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether maternal diet supplementation with omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3 LC-PUFAs) during the last trimester of pregnancy and the breastfeeding period influences the levels of inflammatory cytokines in mother and infants. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This registered, double-blind randomized study included 46 pregnant women, who were randomly allocated to either an experimental group receiving 400mL/day of a fish oil-enriched dairy drink [320mg docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) + 72mg eicoapentaenoic acid] (FO group, n = 24) or to a control group receiving 400mL/day of a non-supplemented dairy drink (CT group, n = 22), from week 28 of pregnancy until the fourth month of lactation. During the study, maternal dietary patterns were monitored by a nutritionist, who encouraged compliance with current recommendations of fatty acids intake. DHA concentrations and cytokine levels (GM-CSF, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, INF-γ and TNF-α) were measured in maternal plasma at the moment of recruitment and in maternal (n = 46) and infant (n = 46) plasma at birth and 2.5 months after birth. RESULTS: Maternal plasmatic IL-4 levels were higher in FO than in CT subjects (p = 0.009). Additionally, a tendency was observed to higher IL-10 and IL-2 in the FO group. Plasmatic IL-6 however, was higher in CT mothers (p = 0.001). TNF-α was higher in CT infants at birth and 2.5 months after birth (p = 0.005). An analysis of possible relationships between DHA and the concentrations of different cytokines revealed negative correlation between maternal plasmatic IL-6 and DHA (higher plasmatic DHA corresponded to lower IL-6). CONCLUSIONS: Maternal dietary omega-3 LC-PUFAs supplementation during critical periods like pregnancy, lactation and early newborn development may influence the levels of certain inflammatory cytokines, reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines and promoting an anti-inflammatory "environment".

Efectos beneficiosos de los probióticos de la leche materna / Beneficial effects of the probiotics of breast milk

La leche materna es el mejor alimento para los bebés durante sus fases de rápido desarrollo, puesto que no sólo aporta todos los nutrientes necesarios, sino que además contiene importantes factores funcionales implicados en el desarrollo y la maduración del sistema inmunitario neonatal, así como en la protección frente a infecciones. Entre estos factores cabe incluir también las bacterias comensales de la leche materna. Este trabajo pretende mostrar los posibles efectos beneficiosos ejercidos por las bacterias presentes en la leche materna, así como de cepas probióticas aisladas de dicha fuente. Entre ellos, cabe resaltar los efectos antimicrobianos, antiinflamatorios y/o moduladores de la respuesta inmunitaria, tanto en modelos de experimentación animal como en estudios clínicos .La demostración de la existencia de bacterias en la leche materna y los efectos beneficiosos potencialmente ejercidos por éstas en el lactante ofrecen nuevas ideas para la sustentación de las propuestas dirigidas a la inclusión de determinadas cepas probióticas en las fórmulas infantiles(AU)

Breast milk is the best food for the neonate because it provides a unique combination of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, minerals and vitamins that ensures the correct growth and development of infants. In addition, it also contains bioactive compounds responsible for a wide range of beneficial effects, such as the promotion of immune system maturation and protection against infections. Among these bioactive agents, probiotic bacteria have recently been isolated from human milk. The present report reviews the beneficial effects of these bacteria both in animal models and in clinical trials. The promotion of immune system maturation and defence against infections, as well as the anti-inflammatory properties, are among the major health effects of these bacteria. The isolation of probiotic bacteria with beneficial effects for the host provides scientific support for the supplementation of infant formula with these bacteria, in order to advance toward the main target of these formula, to mimic the functional effects observed in breastfed infants(AU)

[Beneficial effects of consumption of a dairy product containing two probiotic strains, Lactobacillus coryniformis CECT5711 and Lactobacillus gasseri CECT5714 in healthy children]. / Efectos beneficiosos en niños sanos del consumo de un producto lácteo que contiene dos cepas probióticas. Lactobacillus coryniformis CECT5711 y Lactobacillus gasseri CECT5714.

OBJECTIVE: In the last decades there has been an increasing interest in the manipulation of intestinal microbiota with probiotics for the prevention and treatment of certain paediatric diseases. In addition, it has been suggested that probiotics could play a role in the development of immune system. Recent studies suggest that the administration of two probiotic strains, Lactobacillus coryniformis CECT5711 and Lactobacillus gasseri CECT5714 improves intestinal function of healthy adults and enhances the immune response. Since there are few studies reporting the use of probiotic in children, the main consumers of these products, the aim of the present study was to analyze the effects of the administration of the mentioned probiotic strains in healthy children. INTERVENTIONS: 30 children (age range 3-12) with no gastrointestinal pathology were included in the study. In addition to their usual diet, during the first 3 weeks they received 200 ml of a conventional yogurt containing Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus. During the following three weeks this yogurt was substi-tuted for 80 ml of a probiotic product (Max Defensas, Puleva Food S.L.) containing the same amounts of Streptococcus thermophilus and the L. bulgaricus was substituted by a mixture of the target probiotic strains: L. coryniformis CECT5711 and L. gasseri CECT5714. Samples of faeces and saliva were taken at the beginning of the protocol, at week 3 and at the end of the study. Intestinal microbiota, faecal citotoxicity and the inhibition of Salmonella cholerasusis ssp. cholerasuis adhesion to intestinal mucins by the faeces were analyzed. Finally, IgA concentration was determined in the faecal and saliva samples. RESULTS: Tolerance of the probiotic product was good in all the children included in the study. An increase in faecal lactobacilli counts was shown at the end of the experimental protocol (P < 0,05). In addition citotoxicity of faecal samples was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced after probiotic consumption. The inhibition of S. cholerasuis adhesion to intestinal mucins was significantly higher (P < 0.05) for faecal waters from children in week 6 compared to samples form week 0 and 3. Probiotic consumption was also shown to increase IgA concentration in faeces and saliva (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The consumption of a probiotic product containing L. coryniformis CECT5711 and L. gasseri CECT5714 improves intestinal flora of healthy children, enhancing the defence against gastrointestinal aggressions and infections both by inhibiting pathogen adhesion to intestinal mucins and enhancing the immune function.

La expresión de IL-10 interviene en la regulación de la respuesta inflamatoria por los ácidos grasos omega 3 / IL-10 expression is involved in the regulation of the immune response by omega 3 fatty acids

Objetivo o antecedente: Los ácidos grasos poliinsaturados son importantes para el organismo humano debido a su implicación en numerosas funciones biológicas. Las dietas occidentales se caracterizan por ser excesivamente ricas en ácidos grasos w-6 y pobres en ácidos grasos w-3.Los ácidos grasos de la serie w-3 son necesarios para el normal crecimiento y desarrollo del individuo así como para la regulación de la respuesta inmunológica. El objetivo de este estudio es analizar el efecto de una dieta enriquecida en ácidos grasos w-3 frente a un proceso inflamatorio así como el estudio de los mecanismos implicados en dicho efecto. Intervenciones: Para ello, ratones Balb/c fueron alimentados durante un mes con una dieta cuya fuente lipídica era 100 por ciento aceite de girasol (control), o con la misma dieta en la que el 12 por ciento de la grasa era aceite de pescado y el resto aceite de girasol (W-3). Doce horas antes de su sacrificio se indujo en una de las orejas de cada animal una dermatitis de contacto que cursó con inflamación y edema. Como agente inflamatorio se utilizó 2,4 dinitrofluorobenceno. Tras el sacrificio se tomaron diversas muestras y se analizaron. Resultados: La inflamación, medida como peso y contenido de agua de las orejas, disminuyó significativamente en los ratones alimentados con w-3. La medida de la infiltración leucocitaria y los parámetros de oxidación revelaron también la mejora en el proceso inflamatorio de dichos ratones. Para explicar estos hechos se analizó la expresión de diversas citocinas, observándose un incremento de IL-10 y una disminución de citocinas tanto Th1 como Th2.Conclusiones: Los ácidos grasos w-3 poseen un efecto inmunomodulador al actuar como antiinflamatorios y antialérgicos, al tiempo que aumentan algunas defensas del organismo. La citocina reguladora IL-10 podría ser la responsable del efecto antiinflamatorio ejercido por los ácidos grasos w-3 (AU)

Introduction: Polyunsaturated fatty acids play a key role in a huge number of biological functions. Western diets are highly rich in w-6 fatty acids. However the content of w-3 fatty acids is not suitable in those diets, despite of their importance in normal development of the human body and regulation of immune response. 
The aim of this work is to examine the effect of w-3 fatty acids enriched diet in the regulation of inflammatory response. Material and methods: Balb/c mice were fed either w-6 fatty acids rich diet (100% sunflower oil) or w-3 fatty acids fortified diet (12% fish oil plus 88% sunflower oil) during 28 days. Twelve hours prior to sacrifice, the mice were treated with 2,4-ninitro-1-fluorobezene on the left ear to induce the inflammatory reaction. Afterwards the mice were sacrificed and the different samples collected were analized. Results: Ear inflammation of mice fed the w-3 diet was significantly lower. Leukocyte infiltration and oxidative stress were also lower in those mice. To explain these results, cytokine expression and plasma eicosanoid concentration were measured. An increase in IL-10 levels and a down regulation of Th1 and Th2 responses were observed in mice fed the w-3 diet. Conclusion: Not only n-3 fatty acids exerts an antiinflammatory and an antialergical role but also they enhance some of the organism defenses. Our data suggest that w-3 fatty acids down regulate the inflammatory response by enhancing IL10 expression (AU)

[Il-10 expression is involved in the regulation of the immune response by omega 3 fatty acids]. / La expresión de IL-10 interviene en la regulación de la respuesta inflamatoria por los acidos grasos omega 3.

INTRODUCTION: Polyunsaturated fatty acids play a key role in a huge number of biological functions. Western diets are highly rich in w-6 fatty acids. However the content of w-3 fatty acids is not suitable in those diets, despite of their importance in normal development of the human body and regulation of immune response. The aim of this work is to examine the effect of w-3 fatty acids enriched diet in the regulation of inflammatory response. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Balb/c mice were fed either w-6 fatty acids rich diet (100% sunflower oil) or w-3 fatty acids fortified diet (12% fish oil plus 88% sunflower oil) during 28 days. Twelve hours prior to sacrifice, the mice were treated with 2,4-ninitro-1-fluorobezene on the left ear to induce the inflammatory reaction. Afterwards the mice were sacrificed and the different samples collected were analized. RESULTS: Ear inflammation of mice fed the w-3 diet was significantly lower. Leukocyte infiltration and oxidative stress were also lower in those mice. To explain these results, cytokine expression and plasma eicosanoid concentration were measured. An increase in IL-10 levels and a down regulation of Th1 and Th2 responses were observed in mice fed the w-3 diet. CONCLUSION: Not only n-3 fatty acids exerts an antiinflammatory and an antialergical role but also they enhance some of the organism defenses. Our data suggest that w-3 fatty acids downregulate the inflammatory response by enhancing IL10 expression.