BackgroundC1q TNF related protein 3 (CTRP3) is a relatively novel hormonal factor primarily derived from adipose tissue and has anti-diabetic properties. To determine if CTRP3 could play a role in early childhood development, the purpose of this study was to establish the presence of CTRP3 in breast milk (BM) and to determine whether CTRP3 levels were correlated with pregravid obesity status of the mother.MethodsBreast milk was collected from breast-feeding mothers who had a pregravid body mass index (BMI) classification of normal weight (BMI 18–25 kg/m2, n = 23) or obese (BMI > 30 kg/m2, n = 14). Immunoprecipitation followed by immunoblot analysis confirmed the presence of CTRP3 in BM. The concentration of CTRP3 in BM samples was determined by ELISA. Additional bioactive components were also measured by commercially available assays: ghrelin, insulin, leptin, adiponectin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and glucose. Bioactive components in normal weight and obese mothers were compared using unpaired t-test (parametric) and Mann–Whitney U-test (non-parametric), as appropriate.ResultsThe primary findings of this study are that the adipokine CTRP3 is present in BM and CTRP3 levels are increased with pregravid obesity. Additionally, this study independently confirmed previous work that BM from obese mothers has a higher concentration of insulin and leptin. Further, no differences were observed in BM between obese and normal weight mothers in ghrelin, adiponectin, IL-6, TNF-α, or glucose levels.ConclusionThis study identified a novel factor in BM, CTRP3, and showed that BM CTRP3 levels higher in obese mothers. Because of the purported insulin sensitizing effect of CTRP3, it is possible that the elevated levels of CTRP3 in the BM of obese mothers may offset negative effects of elevated leptin and insulin levels in the BM of obese mothers. Future studies will need to be conducted to determine the relevance of CTRP3 in BM and to examine the presence of other adipose tissue-derived hormonal factors.
Exposure to over nutrition in critical development periods (neonatal nutrition) may increase the risk of obesity or developing metabolic syndrome in adulthood. Human breast milk (~ 125 ml, BRM), between 2 and 14 weeks of lactation, was collected from 45 Caucasian women (24 normal weight (NW, BMI 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m2) and 21 overweight/obese (OW, BMI >25.0 kg/m2)). A 10 ml aliquot was frozen (−80°C) for analysis of appetite regulating hormones and other factors and the remaining volume was freeze dried and subjected to proximate analysis. Participants also completed food frequency questionnaires (FFQ) to estimate fruit, vegetable, and fat intake. Insulin (182.3 vs 537.1 pg/ml, p=0.0001), leptin (186.8 vs 911.3 pg/ml, p=0.0001) were lower, and alpha‐tocopherol (7.39 vs 5.03 uM/ml, p=0.009) higher in NW vs OW BRM. When the data set was reconfigured to compare BRM from lactating women with pre‐gravid BMI ≤ 24 (n=19) or ≥30 (n=15), insulin (200.6 vs 534.8 pg/ml, p=0.003) and leptin (200.3 vs 1,030.9 pg/ml, p=0.0001) were lower and adiponectin (12,349.8 vs 8,696.8 pg/ml, p=0.052) and alpha‐tocopherol (7.72 vs 4.48 uM/ml, p=0.001) were higher for normal weight versus obese women. No statistical difference was observed for levels of ghrelin, IL‐6, TNF‐α or γ –or Δ‐tocopherol in the BRM for the two groups of women. Analysis of Fruit and Vegetable FFQ revealed no significant differences in fruit and vegetable servings/day or intake of vitamin C, magnesium, potassium and dietary fiber. No significant differences were noted between NW and OW groups for total dietary fat (%), intake of fat (g), or intake of saturated fat, unsaturated fat, or total cholesterol. Pre‐gravid BMI (22.0 vs 33.7, p=0.0001), BMI at age 18 (20.4 vs 27.8, p=0.0001), and highest BMI (23.4 vs 35.6, p=0.0001), all self‐reported, are shown for the NW and OW groups. Macronutrient composition of freeze‐dried BRM were similar for total calories (5,600 vs 5,588 cal/g DM, p=0.935), protein (9.3 vs 8.2 % DM, p=0.171, fat (43.8 vs 44.4 %, p=.687) and inorganic content (1.39 vs 1.54 % DM, p=0.434) for NW and OW groups. Gas chromatography (GC) of fatty acid methyl esters, generated from freeze dried BRM, demonstrated NW BRM contained higher levels of n‐3 fatty acids, MUFA, and less palmitic acid. The increased palmitic acid level seen in OW BRM may support increased de novo synthesis of fatty acids. Understanding the nutrient, hormone, adipokine, and inflammatory compound composition of BRM from women of differing BMI's may help to optimize neonate nutrition.Support or Funding InformationSupported by ETSU Honor's College Student‐Faculty Collaborative Research Grant and a Small Research Development Committee Grant from ETSU's Office of Sponsored Programs and Research. Appreciation to Medela Inc. Breastfeeding USA, McHenry, IL for supplying a breast pump for research participants.
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