Higher levels of brain derived neurotrophic factor but similar nerve growth factor in human milk in women with preeclampsia

Abstract

Children born to mothers with preeclampsia have consistently been suggested to be at risk for cognitive and behavioral disorders in later life. Breastfeeding is said to be associated with better neurodevelopment outcomes. Our earlier studies indicated higher levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in human milk in women with preeclampsia. DHA is known to regulate the expression of neurotrophins and together they play a vital role in neurodevelopment and cognitive performance. The present study examines the levels of maternal plasma and milk neurotrophins [(nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)] in women with preeclampsia and compares them with normotensive women who served as controls. Singleton pregnant women diagnosed with preeclampsia (n=72) and controls (n=102) were recruited for this study from Bharati Hospital, Pune. Plasma and milk samples were analyzed for NGF and BDNF levels using the Emax Immuno Assay System using promega kits. Maternal plasma NGF and BDNF levels were lower (p<0.01 for both) in women with preeclampsia as compared to the control women. Milk NGF levels were similar while milk BDNF levels were higher (p<0.05) in the preeclampsia group as compared to controls. Plasma NGF levels were positively correlated with milk NGF levels in the control group. Our results indicate the differential regulation of milk NGF and BDNF levels in women with preeclampsia. The present study suggests a role for both NGF and BDNF in human milk for postnatal brain development. Further studies need to examine the associations of DHA and BDNF in human milk with cognition at later ages.

Preeclampsia alters milk neurotrophins and long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids

“…Similarly, the levels of BDNF are highest at 3 days whereas the NGF levels steadily increase but the levels of BDNF decrease at 1.5 month and there was a trend toward increase until 6 months. We have earlier reported increased levels of milk BDNF at day 3 in the same cohort (Dangat et al, 2013). The significant quantitative differences in BDNF at several time points during lactation between controls and preeclampsia probably indicate that the milk programming by mother's breast is altered by preeclampsia.…”

“…Milk neurotrophins at day 3 has been published recently (Dangat et al, 2013). Milk neurotrophins at 1.5, 3.5 and 6 months of lactation were analyzed by Emax Immuno Assay System using the Promega kits for BDNF (Hornbeck et al, 1994) and NGF (Zettler et al, 1996) which has been described by us earlier (Dangat et al, 2013). The amount of BDNF and NGF was expressed as pg/ml.…”

“…Milk fatty acid profile found to be affected by maternal dietary and life style factors of mother (Antonakou et al, 2012). We have earlier reported that milk fatty acids and neurotrophins levels are altered at d3 of lactation in preeclampsia (Dangat et al, 2010, 2013) which may affect the milk quality and postnatal programming of child. However, it is unclear whether these vital constituents remain altered during the complete duration of lactation.…”

Bioactive Components in Human Milk Along the First Month of Life: Effects of Iodine Supplementation during Pregnancy

“…However, in our study, the negative correlation between BDNF in colostrum and infant head circumference along the first month of life seems to contradict this affirmation. In this regard, higher levels of milk BDNF have been described in preeclampsia [16] . The role of GDNF in human milk and its decrease along the first month of lactation are areas that are still more uncertain, but the similar negative correlation with head circumference suggests the possible implication of this neurotrophic factor in neurite outgrowth and survival [17] .…”

Differential placental methylation and expression of VEGF, FLT- 1 and KDR genes in human term and preterm preeclampsia

“…Pregnant women with eclampsia were excluded from the study. PE was diagnosed by an obstetrician who is also one of the investigators in this study (SSM) and PE has been discussed by us in a number of our earlier studies [45-47]. PE was defined by systolic and diastolic blood pressures greater than 140 and 90 mm Hg, respectively, with presence of proteinuria (>1+ or 300 mg/24 hrs) on a dipstick test and was confirmed by repeated recording of the blood pressure with an interval of 6 hrs.…”