Maternal Dietary Fatty Acids and Their Relationship to Derived Endocannabinoids in Human Milk

Abstract

Background Dietary long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids are known to benefit infant development. After birth, human milk provides arachidonic, eicosapentaenoic, and docosahexaenoic acids to the infant. Endocannabinoids are endogenous lipid mediators derived from the long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Although the roles and the mechanisms of action are not fully understood, previous researchers have suggested that endocannabinoids might play a role in infant feeding behavior. Research Aims To assess (i) maternal dietary intake of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and (ii) their relationship to concentrations of fatty acids and derived endocannabinoids in human milk. Methods For this exploratory-longitudinal study, participants ( N = 24) provided dietary intake data and milk samples. Fatty acids and derived endocannabinoids: Arachidonylethanolamide, arachidonoylglycerol, docosahexaenoyl glycerol, eicosapentaenoyl ethanolamide, and eicosapenaenoyl glycerol were identified in their milk by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and correlations to dietary fatty acids were assessed. Results Participants were not consuming recommended amounts of docosahexaenoic acid. Significant correlations ( p ≤ .05) were only found between dietary docosahexaenoic and eicosapentaenoic acids and the concentrations of these in human milk. Moreover, only dietary docosahexaenoic acid was correlated ( p = .031) with its corresponding endocannabinoid, docosahexaenoyl glycerol. Conclusions To the best of our knowledge, this may be one of the first studies evaluating relationships between dietary long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and multiple endocannabinoids in human milk. Our findings suggest that endocannabinoid concentrations could be modulated by dietary precursors. Future research studies can be designed based on these data to better elucidate the roles of endocannabinoids in human milk for infant health and development.

Cannabinoids accumulate in mouse breast milk and differentially regulate lipid composition and lipid signaling molecules involved in infant development

“…Practically, dietary supplementation with FFAs might not be able to restore lipid concentrations of all FFAs to baseline levels. In studies investigating the effects of dietary FFAs on milk content, DHA supplementation was able to increase DHA in deficient milk samples [ 24 ], but no correlation was found between dietary AA and levels in milk [ 11 ]. Additionally, there are likely many consequences to increasing dietary fatty acids during lactation, given that supplementation with DHA affects tissue and serum levels of amino acids in piglets, including increases in methionine in plasma, taurine and glycine in the liver, and decreases in methionine, glutamate, and leucine in the brain [ 25 ].…”

“…Maternal dietary intake of lipids are not always related to the endocannabinoid compounds measured in breastmilk [ 11 ]. However, NAEs in milk are correlated to infant growth outcomes.…”

“…However, eCBs and lipids in breast milk are sensitive to the effects of maternal behaviors such as diet. For instance, in humans, DHA consumption is positively correlated to its glycerol and ethanolamine derivatives, though changes in AA consumption have no correlation to its eCB derivatives [ 11 ]. This suggests that maternal behaviors may alter the lipid composition of their breast milk, potentially in a way that negatively impacts the infant.…”

Cannabinoids accumulate in mouse breast milk and differentially regulate lipid composition and lipid signaling molecules involved in infant development

“…Practically, dietary supplementation with FFAs might not be able to restore lipid concentrations of all FFAs to baseline levels. In studies investigating the effects of dietary FFAs on milk content, DHA supplementation was able to increase DHA in deficient milk samples [23], but no correlation was found between dietary AA and levels in milk [11]. Additionally, there are likely many consequences to increasing dietary fatty acids during lactation, given that supplementation with DHA affects tissue and serum levels of amino acids in piglets, including increases in methionine in plasma, taurine and glycine in the liver, and decreases in methionine, glutamate, and leucine in the brain [24].…”

“…These data illustrate that the lipid constituents in breast milk are largely stable in the first postpartum month and have likely evolved to meet the developmental needs of the offspring. However, eCBs and lipids in breast milk are sensitive to the effects of maternal behaviors such as diet; for instance, DHA consumption is positively correlated with its glycerol and ethanolamine derivatives, though changes in AA consumption have no correlation to its eCB derivatives [11]. This suggests that maternal behaviors may alter the lipid composition of their breast milk, potentially in a way that negatively impacts the infant.…”