Food and Behaviour Research

Donate Log In
Advanced Search

Alcohol: What Women Need to Know - BOOK HERE

Metabolism-related microRNAs in maternal breast milk are influenced by premature delivery

Carney MC, Tarasiuk A, DiAngelo SL, Silveyra P, Podany A, Birch LL, Paul IM, Kelleher S, Hicks SD (2017) Pediatr Res.  2017 Aug;82(2): 226-236. doi: 10.1038/pr.2017.54.  

Web URL: Read this and related abstracts on PubMed here

Abstract:

Background: Maternal breast milk (MBM) is enriched in microRNAs, factors that regulate protein translation throughout the human body. MBM from mothers of term and preterm infants differs in nutrient, hormone, and bioactive-factor composition, but the microRNA differences between these groups have not been compared.

We hypothesized that gestational age at delivery influences microRNA in MBM, particularly microRNAs involved in immunologic and metabolic regulation.MethodsMBM from mothers of premature infants (pMBM) obtained 3-4 weeks post delivery was compared with MBM from mothers of term infants obtained at birth (tColostrum) and 3-4 weeks post delivery (tMBM). The microRNA profile in lipid and skim fractions of each sample was evaluated with high-throughput sequencing.

Results: The expression profiles of nine microRNAs in lipid and skim pMBM differed from those in tMBM. Gene targets of these microRNAs were functionally related to elemental metabolism and lipid biosynthesis. The microRNA profile of tColostrum was also distinct from that of pMBM, but it clustered closely with tMBM. Twenty-one microRNAs correlated with gestational age demonstrated limited relationships with method of delivery, but not other maternal-infant factors.

Conclusion: Premature delivery results in a unique MBM microRNA profile with metabolic targets. This suggests that preterm milk may have adaptive functions for growth in premature infants.

FAB RESEARCH COMMENT:

See the related news story:

Food and Behaviour Research is a registered charity (No SC034604) and a company limited by guarantee (Co No SC 253448)

Newsletter Signup

Sign up here to receive our free newletters.

Useful Links

Contact Us

FAB Research 
23 Carlton Road
Oxford
OX2 7SA

Important Notice

Medical opinion and guidance should always be sought for any symptoms that might possibly reflect a known or suspected disease, disorder or medical condition. Information provided on this website (or by FAB Research via any other means) does not in any way constitute advice on the treatment of any medical condition formally diagnosed or otherwise.

Site by Redstone Websites. Easy to Use Web Content Management. 2024 © All Rights Reserved.