Longitudinal study of vitamins A, E and lipid oxidative damage in human milk throughout lactation.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the intensity of oxidative damage in human milk resulting from maternal oxidative stress. The aim of our study was to explore the changes in Total Antioxidant Status (TAS) and concentrations of antioxidative vitamins and isoprostanes (markers of oxidative stress) in human colostrum and mature milk. METHODS: The study included 49 postpartum women with normal, spontaneous full term delivery. The exclusion criteria included active and passive smoking, acute and chronic disorders, and pharmacotherapy other than vitamin supplementation. Colostrum samples were collected on the 3rd day after delivery and breast milk samples between the 30th and the 32nd day after delivery. TAS of colostrum/breast milk was determined by Rice-Evans and Miller method. The amount of vitamins A and E was measured by HPLC. Isoprostane concentrations in colostrum/mature milk and urine were determined immunoenzymatically. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed in maternal dietary intakes of vitamins A and E determined prior to the colostrum and mature milk sampling. The TAS of mature milk was significantly higher compared to colostrum (P=0.002), while vitamin A and E concentrations were significantly lower (P=0.003 and P=0.001). Although the isoprostane concentration of mature milk was significantly higher than the colostrum concentration, this difference was not significant (P=0.129). CONCLUSION: Human milk is a source of antioxidative vitamins and their concentrations decrease throughout the lactation, while their total antioxidative properties increase. The phase of lactation does not affect the degree of human milk's lipid oxidative damage.

[Reliability of self-reported maternal smoking during early lactation period]. / Ocena wiarygodnosci badan ankietowych dotyczacych palenia tytoniu przez kobiety we wczesnym okresie laktacji.

UNLABELLED: Smoking cigarettes is very common among lactating women. The objective evaluation of an exposure to cigarette smoke is needed, as cotinine concentration. On many research a questionnaire is the only determinant of fact and intensification of smoking. The aim of this research was to establish a reliability of the questionnaire concerning cigarette smoking among lactating mothers by analyzing cotinine/creatinine ratio. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In 51 lactating mothers (participants of the research on oxidative stress in Obstetrics Departments on 3rd day post partum) during check-up visit, on 30th day post partum a questionnaire concerning smoking cigarettes before, during pregnancy and after childbirth, and amount of cigarettes smoked was made. Samples of matutinal urine were deep freezed in - 700 till cotinine was evaluated immunoenzymatically. Women were divided into groups: I of non-smokers (32 women), II of smokers (19 women). Statistical analysis was made by means of unparametric test U Mann-Whitney. RESULTS: Average cotinine/creatinine ratio was 33,8 ng/mg in group I; 1275.9 ng/mg in group II. Specificity and sensitivity of data earned by virtue of statement of correspondents was 81% and 89%. Test of cotinine concentration in urine demonstrated 100% sensitivity and 94% specificity compared to the cotinine/creatinine ratio. Directly proportional relationship was stated between amount of cigarette smoked and concentration of cotinine in urine (55.9 ng/ ml cotinine/cigarette). CONCLUSIONS: A questionnaire should not be the only method evaluating smoking among lactating women. The concentration of cotinine shows slightly lower specificity than cotinine/creatinine ratio. Both tests can be dealt equivalent.

Cystic fibrosis is a risk factor for celiac disease.

BACKGROUND: The coexistence of cystic fibrosis (CF) and celiac disease (CD) has been reported. To our knowledge there is no study directly comparing the incidence of CD in CF patients to that in the general population at the same time. There is no published data on genetic predisposition to CD in CF patients either. Therefore, in the present study we aimed to assess the genetic predisposition to CD and its incidence in CF patients comparing it to data from the general population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two hundred eighty-two CF patients were enrolled in the study. In 230 CF patients the genetic predisposition to CD (the presence of HLA-DQ2/ DQ8) was assessed. In all CF patients, serological screening for CD was conducted. In patients with positive antiendomysial antibodies (EMA) gastroduenoscopy was offered. Intestinal histology was classified according to modified Marsh criteria. The results of serological CD screening in 3235 Polish schoolchildren and HLA-DQ typing in 200 healthy subjects (HS) were used for comparison. RESULTS: Positive EMA was found in 2.84% of the studied CF patients. The incidence of proven CD was 2.13%. The incidence of CD as well as positive serological screening were significantly more frequent in the CF group than in the general population. The frequency of CD-related HLA-DQ alleles in CF and HS did not differ. CONCLUSIONS: Genetic predisposition to celiac disease in cystic fibrosis patients is similar to that of the general population. However, our results suggest that cystic fibrosis is a risk factor for celiac disease development.

TGF-beta(1), IL-10 and IL-4 in colostrum of allergic and nonallergic mothers.

OBJECTIVE: To determine transforming growth factor (TGF) beta(1), interleukin (IL) 4, and IL-10 concentrations in human milk and to assess the relationship between allergic disorders in mothers and the content of the interleukins in their milk. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty allergic and 46 healthy mothers were included in the study. Colostrum was collected 2-3 days after delivery. Cytokine concentrations were determined with commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent systems. RESULTS: TGF-beta(1)was found in milk from 23 women in the control group (53.49%) and 11 in the allergy group (37.93%). When TGF-beta(1) was present, the median concentration was higher in the allergy group than in the control (61.5 and 30.4 pg/mL, respectively; P < 0.004). IL-10 was present in the colostrum of all the women and the median IL-10 concentration did not differ between the allergy (50.5 pg/mL) and control (51.5 pg/mL) groups. The probability of occurrence of a positive IL-4 value in the allergy group was greater than in the control group (chi-squared [df=1] = 2.60, P < 0.053). Median IL-4 level did not differ significantly between the two groups (0.5 and 0.5 pg/mL respectively). CONCLUSIONS: TGF-beta(1) was detected less often in the colostrum of allergic mothers than in that of mothers without allergy (but the difference was not statistically significant). IL-4 was found more often in the colostrum of allergic mothers than nonallergic ones. The allergy status did not correlate with IL-10 concentration.

[Milk in the diet of children between 7 and 24 months of age]. / Mleko w diecie dzieci miedzy 7 a 24 miesiacem zycia.

THE AIM OF THIS STUDY: was to estimate what kind of milk is administrated to children between 7-23 months of age in Poland. MATERIAL AND METHODS: the study included 1390 children 13-36 months of age, from 4 different regions in Poland. Data were obtained on the basis of questionnaires filled in by mothers visiting the outpatient clinic. RESULTS: 16.7% of studied population were fed with human milk (9.l% only with human milk, 7.6% received both human milk and formula); 0.03% were fed with cow milk. Regional differences were observed. In the second year of life, 11.44% children were still given human milk, 60.3% -formula and 28.6% - cow milk. CONCLUSIONS: in Poland, only small percentage of children, older than 6 months, are still breastfed. Considering WHO recommendations, that children should be given human milk till 2nd year of age, breastfeeding recommendations are still to be promoted in our country.

[Total antioxidative status in colostrum. The influence of maternal smoking]. / Badanie calkowitej zdolnosci przeciwutleniajacej w siarze. Czy palenie papierosów przez matke wplywa na calkowita zdolnosc przeciwutleniajaca w siarze?

UNLABELLED: Oxidative stress is implicated in the pathogenesis of many diseases. The purpose of the antioxidative defense is to inactivate reactive oxygen particles. Human milk has antioxidative properties. The antioxidative barrier is impaired in smokers. THE AIM of the study was to evaluate the influence of maternal smoking during pregnancy and lactation on total antioxidative status (TAS) in colostrum. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 57 healthy women after natural delivery were included in the study. Group I - consisted of non-smokers (median 29 years; range 22-36 yrs), group 11-25 smokers (median 25 years; range 18-31 yrs). Milk samples were collected between 2nd and 4th day after delivery. RESULTS: Total antioxidative status in milk of non-smoking group (group I) was 4.55 mmol/l (range: 1.5-19.0) and 2.61 mmol/l (range: 1-23.9) in milk of smoking group (group II). Total antioxidative status was significantly decreased in milk of smoking mothers (group II) (test U; U=249; p<0.015). TAS in milk of smoking mothers is decreased by 11.9%. CONCLUSION: Smoking during pregnancy and lactation decreases the antioxidative properties of colostrum.

[Repeated torsion of the normal adnexa in a premenarchal girl]. / Wielokrotnie powtarzajacy sie skret prawidlowych przydatków u dziecka.

Recurrent normal adnexal torsion is rare. The clinical presentation is poor and nonspecific. Authors present 11-years old girl with repeated torsion of the normal adnexa. At the first laparotomy salpingo-oophorectomy was performed. Next two incidences were treated conservatively by ovary detorsion in laparoscopy. After second laparoscopy the girl was referred to the Adolescent Gynecology Outpatient Clinic. Preventive oophoroplexy was performed. After half of a year observation the girl reported no complaints and no abnormalities in physical examinations were found. Oophoroplexy in the cases of repeated normal adnexal torsion is a very useful method of prevention of recurrence.

[Antioxidative properties of human milk]. / Antyoksydacyjne wlasnosci pokarmu naturalnego.

Human milk, despite numerous advantages, has also antioxidative properties. Oxidative stress is implicated in bronchopulmonary dysplasia, retinopathy of prematurity and necrotizing enterocolitis. Therefore, the influence of human milk on oxidative stress intensity in breast-fed neonates and infants is a significant issue. The concentration of antioxidants in milk depends on mother's diet, vitamins supplementation during pregnancy and lactation and geographical area of domicile. Breast-fed children have higher antioxidative capacity in blood and lower oxidative stress intensity as compared to formula-fed children. Storage increases the antioxidative activity of human milk. Maternal smoking augments oxidative damage in children and lowers the antioxidative capacity of milk.