Human milk polyunsaturated long‐chain fatty acids and secretory immunoglobulin A antibodies and early childhood allergy

• DOI: 10.1034/j.1399-3038.2000.00052.x
• Publication Date: 2003-03-12T15:59:47Z
• Authors: K. Duchén; R. Casas; M. Fagerås‐böttcher; G. Yu; B. Björkstén
• Keywords: Docosapentaenoic acid; Milk allergy; Immunoglobulin A

The possible protective effect of breast milk against atopic manifestations in infancy, i.e. eczema and food allergy, has been controversial for the last decades. Besides methodological problems, differences composition human could explain these controversies. aim this study was to investigate polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) secretory immunoglobulin A (S-IgA) levels proteins (ovalbumin beta-lactoglobulin) an inhalant allergen (cat) from mothers allergic non-allergic children. Blood samples were obtained at birth 3 months 120 Skin prick tests performed 6, 12 18 months, development diseases assessed Breast collected their monthly during lactation period. Milk PUFA measured by gas chromatography, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) used measure total S-IgA, anti-cat anti-ovalbumin anti-beta-lactoglobulin S-IgA. Allergic disease developed 44/120 children (22/63 22/57 mothers). Lower eicosapentaenoic acid, C20:5 n-3 (EPA), docosapentaenoic acid C22:5 (DPA), docosatetraenoic C22:4 n-6 (DHA) (p < 0.05 all) found mature as compared n-6:total arachidonic C20:4 (AA):EPA ratios significantly lower transitional children, serum largely similar, except higher both) a AA:EPA ratio phospholipids former group 0.05). Changes reflected changes phospholipids, particularly PUFA. AA: EPA maternal related, however, only while not case S-IgA allergic, non-allergic, similar through first lactation. Low milk, high infants, related symptoms age. influenced We also showed that colostral did influence up findings indicate low alpha-linolenic C18:3 (LNA) long-chain (LCP) 20-22 carbon chains, but antibodies allergens, are atopy