Effect of Maternal Prebiotic Supplementation on Human Milk Immunological
Composition.
Abstract
Background: Immunomodulatory proteins in human milk (HM) can
shape infant immune development. However, strategies to modulate their
levels are currently unknown. This study investigated whether maternal
prebiotic supplementation alters the levels of immunomodulatory proteins
in HM. Methods: The study was nested within the SYMBA
double-blind randomised controlled trial (ACTRN12615001075572), which is
investigating the effects of maternal prebiotic (scGOS/lcFOS)
supplementation from <21 weeks gestation during pregnancy
until 6-months postnatal during lactation on child allergic disease
risk. Mother-child dyads receiving prebiotics (n=46) or placebo (n=54)
were included in this study. We measured the levels of 24
immunomodulatory proteins in HM collected at 2, 4 and 6 months.
Results: Cluster analysis showed that the overall
immunomodulatory protein composition of milk samples from both groups
was similar. Prebiotic-supplemented women had decreased levels of TGF-β1
at 2 months, IgG1 at 4 months and sCD14 at 6 months (p=0.03, 0.03 and
0.04, respectively). IL-5 levels were increased in the prebiotic group
compared to the control group at 4 and 6 months (p=0.02 and 0.04,
respectively). After adjustment for multiple comparisons, the
statistical differences between the prebiotic and placebo groups were no
longer present (p>0.05). Conclusion: This study is
the first to comprehensively trial scGOS/lcFOS intake during pregnancy
and indicate potentially altered levels of immunomodulatory proteins in
HM. Future research will elucidate the significance of change in milk
content in immunomodulatory compounds in the prevention of allergy risk
(and beyond), filling a major gap in dietary advice to pregnant and/or
lactating women.