Objective: To evaluate alpha-tocopherol concentrations in maternal serum and colostrum under fasting and postprandial conditions. Methods:Thirty healthy childbearing women were recruited in a public maternity hospital, and samples of blood, fasting colostrum, and postprandial colostrum were collected from them up to 12 hours after delivery. Results:The serum alpha-tocopherol concentration was 1 , 9 3 9 . 8 ± 7 6 6 . 0 μ g / d L . A l p h a -t o c o p h e r o l l e ve l s i n f a s t i n g colostrum (1,603.4±911.0 μg/dL) and in postprandial colostrum (1,515.0±890.9 μg/dL) did not demonstrate a statistically significant difference (p > 0.05). There was correlation between alpha-tocopherol levels in fasting and postprandial colostrum (p < 0.05), but not between serum and colostrum. Conclusions:The lack of correlation between alpha-tocopherol levels in plasma and in colostrum, and the correlation between alphatocopherol concentrations in fasting and postprandial colostrum support the existence of a mechanism that controls the transfer of this nutrient, regardless of dietary intake.J Pediatr (Rio J). 2010;86(4):345-348: Alpha-tocopherol, serum, colostrum. ResumoObjetivo: Avaliar a concentração de alfa-tocoferol no soro e colostro maternos, seja em condições de jejum ou pós-prandial. Métodos:Trinta parturientes saudáveis atendidas em uma maternidade pública foram recrutadas para o estudo, e amostras de sangue, colostro em jejum e colostro pós-prandial foram coletadas até 12 horas pós-parto.Resultados: A concentração sérica de alfa-tocoferol foi de 1.939,8±766,0 μg/dL. O alfa-tocoferol no colostro em jejum, 1.603,4±911,0 μg/dL, e após a refeição, 1.515,0±890,9 μg/dL, não apresentaram diferença significativa (p > 0,05). Houve correlação entre o alfa-tocoferol do colostro na condição de jejum e no pós-prandial (p < 0,05), mas não entre o soro e o colostro.Conclusão: A falta de correlação entre o alfa-tocoferol no plasma e no colostro e a correlação entre o alfa-tocoferol no colostro em jejum e no pós-prandial reforçam a hipótese de um mecanismo de controle na passagem desse micronutriente, independente do aporte dietético. IntroduçãoA vitamina E é um termo genérico utilizado para designar oito compostos naturais, sendo o alfa-tocoferol o que possui maior atividade biológica 1 . Estudos epidemiológicos têm indicado um provável envolvimento da deficiência de vitamina E na patogênese da aterosclerose, diabetes e alguns tipos de câncer, bem como na modulação da inflamação e resposta imune 2 .Durante a gestação, a transferência placentária do alfa-tocoferol é limitada, e o feto apresenta baixa concentração circulante dessa vitamina. Após o parto, o leite é de extrema importância para o abastecimento do alfatocoferol ao recém-nascido, pois é essencial na defesa contra a toxicidade do oxigênio e auxilia a estimular o desenvolvimento de seu sistema imunológico 1 .1. Doutor, Bioquímica. Professor adjunto IV, Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Biociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal, RN. ...

Objective: To evaluate the influence of supplementation with retinyl palmitate in the immediate postpartum period on the levels of secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) in colostrum. Methods: A clinical trial was conducted among 96 recently-delivered mothers treated at a public maternity hospital, divided into control group, which was not supplemented (n = 44), and test group, supplemented on the first day postpartum (n = 52). Samples of 2 mL of colostrum were collected on the first 2 days postpartum. SIgA was measured by turbidimetry and data were analyzed by the Student t test. Results: Before supplementation, the average SIgA was 829.1±337.6 mg/dL in the control group and 827.3±249.8 mg/dL in the test group (p = 0.52). After supplementation, the average SIgA was 343.9±177.2 mg/dL in the unsupplemented group and 501.2±54.5 mg/dL in the supplemented group (p < 0.00001). Conclusion: The colostrum of women supplemented with retinyl palmitate has higher levels of SIgA, which suggests that the production of antibodies is modulated by vitamin A.

Objective: To evaluate alpha-tocopherol concentrations in maternal serum and colostrum under fasting and postprandial conditions. Methods: Thirty healthy childbearing women were recruited in a public maternity hospital, and samples of blood, fasting colostrum, and postprandial colostrum were collected from them up to 12 hours after delivery. Results:The serum alpha-tocopherol concentration was 1,939.8±766.0 μg/dL. Alpha-tocopherol levels in fasting colostrum (1,603.4±911.0 μg/dL) and in postprandial colostrum (1,515.0±890.9 μg/dL) did not demonstrate a statistically significant difference (p > 0.05). There was correlation between alpha-tocopherol levels in fasting and postprandial colostrum (p < 0.05), but not between serum and colostrum. Conclusions:The lack of correlation between alpha-tocopherol levels in plasma and in colostrum, and the correlation between alpha-tocopherol concentrations in fasting and postprandial colostrum support the existence of a mechanism that controls the transfer of this nutrient, regardless of dietary intake.