Variations in the levels of acute-phase proteins and lactoferrin in serum and milk during bovine subclinical mastitis.

Variations in the levels of acute phase proteins and lactoferrin in serum and milk for diagnosis of subclinical mastitis in dairy cows are described in this research paper. Milking animals from two organized dairy farms in Kerala, India, were screened by California Mastitis Test (CMT), Electrical Conductivity test (EC) and Somatic Cell Count (SCC) test to identify animals affected with sub clinical mastitis (SCM). The concentrations of acute phase proteins (APP) Haptoglobin (Hp), C- reactive protein (CRP), Albumin, Lactoferrin (Lf) and α- 1 acid glycoprotein (AGP) in milk and Hp, Albumin, Serum Amyloid A (SAA) and CRP in the serum of 40 normal cows and 40 cows affected with sub clinical mastitis were assessed. Solid phase ELISA was employed for assessment of all parameters except the albumin levels, for which spectrophotometry was used. The values of Hp in milk; and SAA, AGP and Lf in serum, were significantly elevated in the group with sub clinical mastitis. Such variations were found to be independent of the specific bacterial organism causing the disease. These results show that significant variations exist in the levels of acute phase proteins Hp, AGP and Lf in milk, and SAA in serum of animals affected with subclinical bovine mastitis that are not affected by specific bacterial etiology.

Relationship Between Arteriovenous Fistula Stenosis and Circulating Levels of Neutrophil Granule Proteins in Chronic Hemodialysis Patients.

BACKGROUND: Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) stenosis leading to its failure is a major cause of morbidity in hemodialysis patients; however, detailed pathogenesis of AVF stenosis is still under investigation. To date, monocytes/macrophages have been considered pivotal players in chronic inflammation of vascular disease including atherosclerosis and AVF stenosis. However, recent evidence strongly suggests that neutrophils and neutrophil granule proteins are important contributors to vascular disease. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between AVF stenosis and neutrophil activation by measuring circulating levels of neutrophil elastase (NE) and lactoferrin, enzymes released on neutrophil activation, as well as other inflammation markers including neutrophil counts. METHODS: This was a single-center, prospective observational study conducted on 83 prevalent hemodialysis patients with AVF. Blood levels of biomarkers and sonography (US) measurement were assessed at baseline and 1 year after enrollment. Clinical follow-up continued for one more year (a total of 2 years for each patient) to observe any AVF events. RESULTS: Circulating levels of both NE and lactoferrin positively correlated with the degree of AVF stenosis. Patients with significant AVF stenosis had older AVFs, higher neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and higher circulating levels of NE and lactoferrin. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, both circulating levels of NE and NLR remained independent predictors of significant AVF stenosis. CONCLUSIONS: Circulating levels of NE and the NLR were identified as independent predictors of at-risk AVF with significant stenosis. Our data suggest the potential role of neutrophil and innate immunity activation on the development of AVF stenosis.

Lactoferrin in cerebrospinal fluid and saliva is not a diagnostic biomarker for Alzheimer's disease in a mixed memory clinic population.

BACKGROUND: The pathological changes in Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative disorders begin decades prior to their clinical expression. However, the clinical diagnosis of neurodegenerative dementias is not straightforward. Lactoferrin is an iron-binding, antimicrobial glycoprotein with a plethora of functions, including acting as an important immune modulator and by having a bacteriocidic effect. Two previous studies indicated that salivary lactoferrin could differentiate between neurodegenerative dementias. METHODS: A total of 222 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and saliva samples from a consecutive, mixed memory clinic population were analysed for lactoferrin. In addition, the association between lactoferrin in CSF and saliva and the concentration of tau, phosphorylated tau (p-tau) and amyloid 1-42 (Aß42) in CSF were addressed. FINDINGS: CSF lactoferrin was assessed for the first time in a cohort of patients with neurodegenerative dementias. No significant differences were found in the levels of CSF or saliva lactoferrin between the diagnostic groups. In addition, no significant relationships were found between lactoferrin levels and tau, p-tau and Aß42, respectively. INTERPRETATION: Neither CSF nor saliva lactoferrin could differentiate between neurodegenerative dementias in this study.

Estimation of numbers of mature and immature neutrophils in blood by a novel, rapid and simple technology.

Counting numbers of blood neutrophils is one of the most common laboratory tests in modern clinical medicine. In this report, we have tested the idea that immunoassay of major constituents of mature neutrophils might serve as proxy of cell counting and allow the development of rapid and simple point-of-care tests. The procedure may also allow for the estimate of the state of maturity of the circulating blood cells. Immunoassays for myeloperoxidase (MPO) and lactoferrin (LF) were used to measure the respective protein in whole blood extracts of 275 unselected hospitalized patient and in 51 healthy controls and leukemia patients of which eight were followed before, during and after remission treatment. MPO was correlated to neutrophil counts in the unselected hospitalized population (r = 0.95, p <.0001). Huge variations were seen in whole blood extracts of patients with AML with very high MPO/LF ratios in half of the AML patients and in all three patients with APL. In extracts from patients with ALL no difference was found in the ratio as compared to healthy persons. The monitoring of AML patients during remission treatment showed intriguing patterns one of which suggested the possibility to monitor the myelopoietic activity in the bone marrow during the recovery phase. We show a novel and easy technology to count mature neutrophils in blood and also to monitor myeloid cell maturity in the blood as well as myelopoietic activity in the bone marrow. The technology lends itself to the development of a rapid and simple point-of-care test.

Human milk immunomodulatory proteins are related to development of infant body composition during the first year of lactation.

BACKGROUND: To investigate relationships between infant body composition (BC) and human milk (HM) immunomodulatory proteins (IMPs) during the first 12 months of lactation. METHODS: BC of breastfeeding dyads (n = 20) was measured with ultrasound skinfolds (infants) and bioimpedance spectroscopy (infants/mothers) at 2, 5, 9, and/or 12 months post partum. Breastfeeding frequency, 24-h milk intake, and IMP concentrations (lactoferrin, lysozyme, secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA)) were measured, and calculated daily intakes (CDIs) were determined. We used linear regression/mixed-effects models and adjusted results for multiple comparisons. RESULTS: No associations were seen between maternal characteristics and IMP concentrations/CDIs or between IMP concentrations and infant BC. Lactoferrin CDI was negatively associated with infant fat-free mass index (P = 0.002); lysozyme CDI was positively associated with infant fat mass (P = 0.004) and fat mass index (P = 0.004) measured with ultrasound skinfolds. CONCLUSION: In this small cohort of infants breastfed on demand during first year of life, we report differential associations of HM IMPs with infant BC, showing that in addition to their critical role in shaping infant immunity, lactoferrin, and lysozyme also influence development of infant BC, highlighting the importance of breastfeeding for 12 months and beyond. IMPACT: HM IMPs (concentrations and, most importantly, daily intakes) time-dependently and differentially associate with development of infant lean mass and adiposity during first 12 months of lactation. There is no information on how intakes and concentrations of these components affect development of infant BC. HM contains IMPs-lactoferrin, lysozyme, and sIgA, which not only play a critical role in shaping infant's immunity, but also influence infant growth and development of BC, highlighting the importance of breastfeeding for 12 months and beyond and warranting careful consideration of the dose effects of supplemented formula.

Binding of lactoferrin to the surface of low-density lipoproteins modified by myeloperoxidase prevents intracellular cholesterol accumulation by human blood monocytes.

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is a unique heme-containing peroxidase that can catalyze the formation of hypochlorous acid (HOCl). The strong interaction of MPO with low-density lipoproteins (LDL) promotes proatherogenic modification of LDL by HOCl. The MPO-modified LDL (Mox-LDL) accumulate in macrophages, resulting in the formation of foam cells, which is the pathognomonic symptom of atherosclerosis. A promising approach to prophylaxis and atherosclerosis therapy is searching for remedies that prevent the modification or accumulation of LDL in macrophages. Lactoferrin (LF) has several application points in obesity pathogenesis. We aimed to study LF binding to Mox-LDL and their accumulation in monocytes transformed into macrophages. Using surface plasmon resonance and ELISA techniques, we observed no LF interaction with intact LDL, whereas Mox-LDL strongly interacted with LF. The affinity of Mox-LDL to LF increased with the degree of oxidative modification of LDL. Moreover, an excess of MPO did not prevent interaction of Mox-LDL with LF. LF inhibits accumulation of cholesterol in macrophages exposed to Mox-LDL. The results obtained reinforce the notion of LF potency as a remedy against atherosclerosis.

Study of correlation between biochemical indicators and radiological diagnostic parameters of breast cancer.

The aim of this work was to study the correlation between some biochemical parameters and parameters of radiological diagnostics for early diagnosis of breast cancer. 76 patients with breast cancer were examined. In 48 of them was diagnosed breast cancer, in 28 of them was diagnosed benign breast neoplasms. The age of patients ranged from 18 to 79 years. The control group consisted of 16 healthy women. Oncological markers (CEA, CA 15-3), some pro-inflammatory and inflammatory cytokines (IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and TNF-α) and lactoferrin were determined in serum by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. All patients underwent ultrasound with a combination of Doppler and X-ray mammography. Ultrasound examination assessed the estimation of tumor size, contours, echogenicity, echostructure, the presence and nature of vascularization of breast tumors, and also assessed the location of regional lymph nodes. During mammography, the contours and sizes of the detected tumor were determined, and the presence of microcalcifications was also taken into account. The results of the study showed that a statistically positive correlation between some biochemical parameters and parameters of radiological diagnostics was established.

Age and Location in Severity of COVID-19 Pathology: Do Lactoferrin and Pneumococcal Vaccination Explain Low Infant Mortality and Regional Differences?

Two conundrums puzzle COVID-19 investigators: 1) morbidity and mortality is rare among infants and young children and 2) rates of morbidity and mortality exhibit large variances across nations, locales, and even within cities. It is found that the higher the rate of pneumococcal vaccination in a nation (or city) the lower the COVID-19 morbidity and mortality. Vaccination rates with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin, poliovirus, and other vaccines do not correlate with COVID-19 risks, nor do COVID-19 case or death rates correlate with number of people in the population with diabetes, obesity, or adults over 65. Infant protection may be due to maternal antibodies and antiviral proteins in milk such as lactoferrin that are known to protect against coronavirus infections. Subsequent protection might then be conferred (and correlate with) rates of Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) (universal in infants) and pneumococcal vaccination, the latter varying widely by geography among infants, at-risk adults, and the elderly. Also see the video abstract here https://youtu.be/GODBYRbPL00.

Characterization of Bovine Lactoferrin Nanoparticle Prepared by Desolvation Technique.

Lactoferrin (Lf) nanoparticles have been developed as a carrier of drugs and gene. Two main methods, desolvation technique and emulsification method, for preparation of protein nanoparticles have been reported so far, but most of the previous reports of Lf nanoparticles preparation are limited to emulsification method. In this study, we investigated the optimal conditions by desolvation technique for the preparation of glutaraldehyde-crosslinked bovine Lf (bLf) nanoparticles within the size range of 100-200 nm, and evaluated their properties as a carrier for oral and intravenous drug delivery. The experimental results of dynamic light scattering and Transmission Electron Microscope suggested that glutaraldehyde-crosslinked bLf nanoparticles with 150 nm in size could be produced by addition of 2-propanol as the desolvating solvent into the bLf solution adjusted to pH 6, followed by crosslinking with glutaraldehyde. These cross-linked bLf nanoparticles were found to be compatible to blood components and resistant against rapid degradation by pepsin. Thus, cross-linked bLf nanoparticles prepared by desolvation technique can be applied as a drug carrier for intravenous administration and oral delivery.

Oral administration of bovine lactoferrin accelerates the healing of fracture in ovariectomized rats.

INTRODUCTION: Lactoferrin has recently been reported for its potent bone growth effects. However, the effects of lactoferrin on the healing process of fragility fracture have not yet been studied, so the purpose of this study is to investigate whether oral administration of lactoferrin can promote the fracture healing in an OVX animal model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three months after bilateral ovariectomy, all rats underwent unilateral tibial osteotomy and were then randomly divided into control group and bovine lactoferrin (bLF) group. At 4 and 8 weeks post-fracture, animals were sacrificed, and the fractured tibiae and serum samples were collected for evaluation. RESULTS: Our results showed that bLF treatment not only accelerated the bone growth at an early stage of OPF healing but also shortened the remolding process of OPF healing. When compared to control group, bLF treatment induced a significant rise in callus BMD (by 35.0% at 4 weeks and by 39.7% at 8 weeks; both p < 0.05) consistent with enhanced biomechanical strength of the callus, with ultimate force increased by 3.39-fold at 4 weeks (p < 0.05) and 1.95-fold at 8 weeks (p < 0.05). Besides, bLF administration resulted in a substantial increase in serum levels of BALP and a significant decrease in serum levels of TRAP 5b and TNF-α. Moreover, both the RANKL/OPG mRNA ratio and the expression of TNF-α in the callus of bLF-treated group were markedly lower than those in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: At a dose of 85mg/kg/day orally administrated bLF potently promoted the bone healing following tibial fracture in OVX rats.

Hepcidin and Erythroferrone Correlate with Hepatic Iron Transporters in Rats Supplemented with Multispecies Probiotics.

The influence of probiotic supplementation on iron metabolism remains poorly investigated. However, a range of studies, especially on Lactobacillus plantarum 299v (Lp229v), have indicated a possible positive impact of probiotics on iron absorption. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of multistrain probiotic supply on iron balance. Thirty Wistar rats were randomized into three groups: placebo (KK group), and multistrain probiotic per os in a daily dose of 2.5 × 109 colony forming units (CFU) (PA group) or 1 × 1010 CFU (PB group). Multistrain probiotic consisted of nine bacterial strains: Bifidobacterium bifidum W23, B. lactis W51, B. lactis W52, Lactobacillus acidophilus W37, L. brevis W63, L. casei W56, L. salivarius W24, Lactococcus lactis W19, and Lc. lactis W58, in equal proportions. After six weeks, blood and organ samples were collected. No differences were found between the three groups in terms of serum concentrations of hepcidin (HEPC), lactoferrin (LTF), homocysteine (HCY), ferritin (Ft), or erythroferrone (ErFe), or in liver content of divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1), transferrin receptors 1 and 2 (TfR), or ZRT/IRT-like protein 14 (ZIP14) proteins. In the overall sample, positive correlations were noted between the serum concentrations of hepcidin and lactoferrin, and hepcidin and ferritin; serum concentration of hepcidin and DMT1 and TfR1 in the liver; and serum concentration of erythroferrone and TfR2 in the liver. The correlations of serum hepcidin and erythroferrone with liver DMT1 and TfR represent significant mechanisms of Fe homeostasis. Our study has shown that multistrain probiotic supplementation used in the experiment did not disrupt the biochemical and hepatic regulatory processes of Fe balance and did not demonstrate significant influence on selected parameters of Fe metabolism.

Changes in C-reactive protein, neopterin and lactoferrin differ after conservative and surgical weight loss in individuals with morbid obesity.

C-reactive protein, neopterin and lactoferrin are biomarkers of atherosclerotic disease. We aimed to assess changes in these biomarkers after conservative and surgical weight loss interventions in individuals with morbid obesity, to evaluate associations between biomarker changes and changes in body mass index and HbA1c, and to study associations between changes in the biomarkers. C-reactive protein, neopterin and lactoferrin were measured before and after conservative weight loss intervention and bariatric surgery. Data were analysed with mixed models. 137 individuals (mean age 43 years) were included. Body mass index decreased from 42.1 kg/m2 to 38.9 kg/m2 after the conservative intervention, and further to 30.5 kg/m2 after bariatric surgery. All biomarkers decreased after the conservative weight loss intervention. C-reactive protein and lactoferrin continued to decrease following bariatric surgery whereas neopterin remained stable. After adjustments for change in body mass index and HbA1c, all biomarkers decreased significantly after the conservative weight loss intervention, whereas none changed after bariatric surgery. There were no consistent correlations between changes in C-reactive protein, neopterin and lactoferrin. In conclusion, biomarkers of atherosclerosis decreased after weight loss interventions but had different trajectories. Neopterin, a marker related to atherosclerotic plaque stability, decreased after conservative weight loss but not following bariatric surgery.

Immune status of patients with frontal basilar trauma having bc "syntekost" applied in the surgical treatment. report 1. the state of the systemic cellular and humoral immunity factors of patients with frontal basilar trauma in the acute posttraumatic period prior to surgical treatment.

OBJECTIVE: Introduction: At present biocomposite materials are used in the surgical treatment of frontal bone fracture. They improve osteogenesis, reduce the number of complications. Immunologic aspects of application of these materials are studied insufficiently, therefore this report presents the results of immunoassay of patients with frontal bone fracture in the proximate posttraumatic period before implanting preparation "Syntekost". The aim: To define the role of immune mechanisms in the realization of the biocomposite material's positive influence on the development of effective posstraumatic rehabilitation schemes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: 16 patients with frontal bone fracture (FBF) were examined on admission to the Otolaryngology Clinics of Vinnitsa Region Hospital. Additionally, 10 patients of the similar age were examined as a control group. The content of cells with markers of surface antigens-CD3,14,16,20,25, concentration of immunoglobulins of classes M,G,A,E, С4 complement component and lactoferrin was determined in blood. Immunoenzyme methods were applied. Nonparametric Wilcoxon - Mann - Whitney test, computer programme WIN Pepi were used for statistical measurements. RESULTS: Results: A decrease in the level of IgM in comparison with practically healthy donors and an increase in the concentration of lactoferrin were identified as humoral immunity factors of patients with frontal basilar trauma. The most significant deviation in the peripheral blood cellular makeup in CD-markers was an increase in cells with markers CD14 and CD16. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: The level of cells and prodefensin-lactoferrin that maintain inborn immunity increases and the concentration of coarse defensive protein decreases in the initial period after frontal bone fracture, which must be taken into consideration during post-surgical treatment.

No Difference in Lactoferrin Levels between Metabolically Healthy and Unhealthy Obese Women.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to compare serum lactoferrin concentrations in metabolically healthy obese (MHO) and metabolically unhealthy obese (MUHO) women. METHODS: Three hundred (101 MHO and 199 MUHO) women were recruited to the study. Basic anthropometric parameters and blood pressure were measured. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Fat mass and visceral adipose tissue mass were assessed using dual X-ray absorptiometry scan. Fasting glucose, insulin, lipid profile, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and lactoferrin levels were determined. RESULTS: Lactoferrin levels did not differ between MHO and MUHO subjects (median (interquartile range): 1639 (1055-2396) vs. 1622 (1009-23345) ng/mL). However, in the total population insulin (r = 0.131, p = 0.0234) and hs-CRP (r = 0.165, p = 0.0045) levels were correlated with lactoferrin concentrations. In addition, a weak positive association between serum lactoferrin concentrations and anthropometric parameters was also detected, and predominantly referred to MHO group (body weight: r = 0.231, p = 0.0201; BMI: r = 0.286, p = 0.0037; waist circumference: r = 0.258, p = 0.0092). In addition, serum lactoferrin concentrations were negatively correlated with fasting glucose (r = -0.250, p = 0.0115) and HDL-C levels (r = -0.203, p = 0.0411) in MHO subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Lactoferrin levels did not differ between MHO and MUHO women. However, some mild correlations between lactoferrin concentrations and anthropometric and metabolic parameters were observed mostly in MHO subjects.

[Immunoregulatory proteins and cytokines in the blood of patients with Graves' disease].

BACKGROUND: Immunoregulatory proteins (alpha-2-macroglobulin, lactoferrin) actively participate in inflammatory and autoimmune processes, affect synthesis and transport of hormones and cytokines, and control cell proliferation and apoptosis. However, the role of these proteins in the pathogenesis of Graves' disease (GD) is poorly understood. Objective - the study objective was to determine blood levels of alpha-2-macroglobulin (α2-MG), lactoferrin (LF), and cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, and IFN-γ) in GD. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We determined blood levels of TSH, free T4, TSH receptor antibodies, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, IFN-γ, and LF by ELISA as well as α2-MG by quantitative rocket immunoelectrophoresis in 50 patients with decompensated and compensated (4-6 months and 1.5-2 years after treatment onset) GD and 25 healthy females (control group). RESULTS: GD clinically manifested by body weight l in 84% of patients, sinus tachycardia in almost all patients, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in 18% of cases, endocrine ophthalmopathy in 12% of patients, and neurological changes. In decompensated GD, there was a statistically significant increase in levels of IFN-γ, IL-6, and α2-MG and an especially significant increase in levels of IL-8 and LF. At 4-6 months after treatment onset, clinical manifestations were stopped in all patients, levels of IL-6 and α2-MG decreased, but the concentrations of TSH receptor antibodies (TSHR-Abs), IL-8, IFN-γ, and LF remained elevated. At 1.5-2 years, levels of the studied proteins and cytokines did not differ from those in the control group. CONCLUSION: An increase in blood levels of IL-8, LF, IL-6, and α2-MG in incident or recurrent GD and a decrease in the levels during treatment confirm involvement of immunoregulatory proteins in pathogenesis of the disease.

Neutrophil count as the centerpiece in the joined association networks of inflammatory and cell damage markers, and neuroendocrine stress markers in patients with stable angina pectoris following stenting.

OBJECTIVE: The primary aim of this study was to examine whether markers of cell damage and of the psycho-neuroendocrino-inflammatory/immune (PNI) system could be associated in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) on the next day following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Blood samples of 23 patients (18 men and five women, mean age 62.9 ± 10.6 years), were collected immediately before (pre-PCI), immediately after (post-PCI), and on the day following PCI (1d-PCI). Lactoferrin, LL-37 and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were assayed in plasma, in addition to cortisol and chromogranin A (CgA), as well as CK, ASAT and ALAT. Total and differential leukocyte counts were also analysed. RESULTS: At all the three time points, the monocyte fractions, the monocyte-to-lymphocyte and the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios and CgA levels were elevated. We detected significant peri-procedural changes in the plasma levels of our PNI markers: IL-6 (p<0.05), lactoferrin, LL-37 (both: p <0.0001), CgA, (p<0.05), and cortisol (p<0.01). On the first day after PCI, highly significant associations were found of ASAT with IL-6 and neutrophil count (both: r>0.75, p<0.0001), and of CgA with neutrophil count and monocyte count (both: r>0.79, p<0.0001); furthermore, cortisol was also associated with neutrophil count (r>0.7, p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that myocardial damage could correlate not only with an inflammatory reaction but, via neutrophil count, also with increased level of stress in stable CAD after PCI. Furthermore, 1d-PCI neutrophil count may serve as an easy-to-obtain integrative PNI measure in stable CAD.

Inflammation Is Strongly Associated With Cardiorespiratory Fitness, Sex, BMI, and the Metabolic Syndrome in a Self-reported Healthy Population: HUNT3 Fitness Study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether C-reactive protein (CRP, a general marker of inflammation), neopterin (activated macrophages), lactoferrin (activated neutrophils), and endothelial function (flow-mediated vasodilation [FMD]) are associated with cardiorespiratory fitness (peak oxygen uptake [VO2peak]), sex, body mass index (BMI), and the metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) in a healthy adult population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional association study based on the population-based HUNT3 Fitness Study performed from May 15, 2007, through June 23, 2008. Seven hundred forty self-reported healthy respondents (327 women) identified as having the MetSyn were age- and sex-matched with 692 controls (307 women) from the same cohort. Associations between the inflammatory biomarkers and VO2peak, FMD, and the MetSyn were analyzed by multivariate linear regression. RESULTS: The CRP level was negatively associated with VO2peak (P<.001), positively associated with the MetSyn (with a stronger effect in men) (P<.001) and BMI (with a stronger effect in women) (P<.01), but not with FMD (P=.34). Lactoferrin was positively associated with the MetSyn (P<.001), but neither neopterin nor lactoferrin were associated with VO2peak or FMD. CONCLUSION: The CRP level was strongly associated with VO2peak and the MetSyn, but not with FMD. The associations among inflammation, VO2peak, and the MetSyn were strongly influenced by sex and BMI. These data support that low cardiorespiratory fitness should be considered an etiologic factor contributing to systemic inflammation and that reducing body weight and improving VO2peak are methods that may positively affect CRP levels.

Enhancement of immune response mediated by oropharyngeal colostrum administration in preterm neonates.

BACKGROUND: The immune system of preterm infants is immature, being a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly in the preterm infant. Oropharyngeal colostrum administration could be an immunomodulatory aid. Our aim was to evaluate the effect of oropharyngeal colostrum on the serum levels of immunoglobulins, lactoferrin, and resistin during the first month of life and to track the clinical outcome of the neonates. METHODS: One hundred preterm neonates born at <32 weeks of gestation and/or weighing < 1500 g and assisted in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit were enrolled and divided into two groups: colostrum (n = 48) and control (n = 52). The subjects assigned to the colostrum group received 0.2 mL of colostrum (oropharyngeal route) every 4 hours for the first 15 days of life, and if mothers have inability to breastfeed, they were included in the control group (no oropharyngeal colostrum). Serum concentrations of IgA, IgM, and IgG1, lactoferrin, and resistin were assessed in both groups at 1, 3, 15, and 30 days of life. Clinical data during hospitalization were collected. RESULTS: IgA and IgM increased in preterm neonates who were administered colostrum for 15 and 30 days. Lactoferrin increased after 30 days, and resistin increased after 15 days of supplying oropharyngeal colostrum. The colostrum group underwent full enteral nutrition before, and no differences were observed in the common neonatal morbidities. CONCLUSION: Oropharyngeal colostrum administration is safe in preterm neonates and improves their immunologic profile, showing a potential role as an immunomodulatory agent.

The Antisecretory Factor in Plasma and Breast Milk in Breastfeeding Mothers-A Prospective Cohort Study in Sweden.

Inflammation and infection postpartum threaten the mother and her infant. Human milk provides a defense for the infant, but inflammatory complications like mastitis may lead to the cessation of breastfeeding. Antisecretory factor (AF) has a role in the regulation of secretory processes and inflammation. The objective of the study was to describe AF-levels in plasma and breast milk, and in relation to breast complications. Breastfeeding mothers (n = 95) were consecutively recruited at a Well Baby Clinic in Umeå, Sweden. At inclusion four weeks postpartum, samples of venous blood (10 mL) and breast milk (10 mL) were collected. Active AF was analyzed with ELISA using a monoclonal antibody mAb43, and was detected in all samples of plasma and breast milk with a positive correlation (Spearman coefficient = 0.40, p < 0.001; Pearson correlation = 0.34, p < 0.01). High AF-levels in plasma correlated with high AF-levels in breast milk. The results suggest a co-regulation between active AF in plasma and breastmilk, and/or a local regulation of AF in the breast. Further studies are needed to determine the pathways for the activation of AF-levels in breast milk and plasma.

Variation in the Protein Composition of Human Milk during Extended Lactation: A Narrative Review.

The aim of this review is to evaluate changes in protein parameters in the second year postpartum. There is considerable agreement among authors about the declining trend of human milk protein concentrations, but most research on protein content in breast milk focuses on the first year of life and comes from developed countries. Whereas this is the case for exclusive breastfeeding or for breastfeeding into the first year of life, the opposite applies to weaning or extended breastfeeding. This review is predominantly based on observational epidemiological evidence and on comparative research linking breast milk composition with cutting down on breastfeeding. Studies dating back several decades have shown an increase in the proportion of immunoglobulins, lactoferrin, and serum albumin during weaning. According to the limited data available, it seems likely that the regulation of milk protein composition during involution can be ascribed to alterations in tight junctions. In studies on humans and other mammalian species, offspring suckle more from mothers that produce more dilute milk and the increase in milk protein concentration is positively correlated to a decrease in suckling frequency during weaning. High milk protein contents were first reported in nonindustrial communities where breastfeeding is sustained the longest, but recent papers from urbanized communities have taken credit for rediscovering the increase in protein content of human milk that becomes evident with prolonged breastfeeding. This review presents an overview of the changes in breast milk protein parameters in the second year postpartum to enable milk banks' practitioners to make informed nutritional decisions on preterm infants.