Journal
NUTRIENTS
Volume 14, Issue 20, Pages -Publisher
MDPI
DOI: 10.3390/nu14204338
Keywords
galectin; breast milk; umbilical cord plasma; maternal plasma
Categories
Funding
- LaMarato-TV3 (DIM-2-ELI) [2018-27/30-31]
- European Research Council under the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program (ERC) [639226]
- Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness [FPU 19/05150]
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Galectins have been recognized as important proteins for successful pregnancy, but little is known about their presence in breast milk and their role in early infancy. This study found that Gal-1, -3 and -9 were detected for the first time in transitional breast milk samples and were associated with certain maternal and infant characteristics.
Galectins (Gal) are a family of conserved soluble proteins with high affinity for beta-galactoside structures. They have been recognized as important proteins for successful pregnancy. However, little is known about their presence in breast milk and their role in early infancy. Gal-1, -3 and -9 concentrations were evaluated by Multiplex immunoassays in mother-infant pairs from the MAMI cohort in maternal plasma (MP) (n = 15) and umbilical cord plasma (UCP) (n = 15) at birth and in breast milk samples (n = 23) at days 7 and 15 postpartum. Data regarding mother and infant characteristics were collected. Gal-9 was present in a lower concentration range than Gal-1 and Gal-3 in plasma, specifically in UCP. A major finding in the current study is that Gal-1, -3 and -9 were detected for the first time in all the transitional breast milk samples and no differences were found when comparing the two breastfeeding time points. Finally, Gal levels were associated with some maternal and infant characteristics, such as gestational age, pregnancy weight gain, maternal diet, the gender, infant growth and infant infections. In conclusion, Gal levels seem to be involved in certain developmental aspects of early life.
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