Potential Epigenetic Effects of Human Milk on Infants’ Neurodevelopment

Abstract

The advantages of human milk feeding, especially in preterm babies, are well recognized. Infants’ feeding with breast milk lowers the likelihood of developing a diverse range of non-communicable diseases later in life and it is also associated with improved neurodevelopmental outcomes. Although the precise mechanisms through which human milk feeding is linked with infants’ neurodevelopment are still unknown, potential epigenetic effects of breast milk through its bioactive components, including non-coding RNAs, stem cells and microbiome, could at least partly explain this association. Micro- and long-non-coding RNAs, enclosed in milk exosomes, as well as breast milk stem cells, survive digestion, reach the circulation and can cross the blood–brain barrier. Certain non-coding RNAs potentially regulate genes implicated in brain development and function, whereas nestin-positive stem cells can possibly differentiate into neural cells or/and act as epigenetic regulators in the brain. Furthermore, breast milk microbiota contributes to the establishment of infant’s gut microbiome, which is implicated in brain development via epigenetic modifications and key molecules’ regulation. This narrative review provides an updated analysis of the relationship between breast milk feeding and infants’ neurodevelopment via epigenetics, pointing out how breast milk’s bioactive components could have an impact on the neurodevelopment of both full-term and preterm babies.

Early Life Programming of Adipose Tissue Remodeling and Browning Capacity by Micronutrients and Bioactive Compounds as a Potential Anti-Obesity Strategy

“…Thus, miRNAs supplied by breast milk can allow effective molecular communication between the mother and the infant [151,152], participating in signaling and regulatory mechanisms during the early postnatal period and maybe contributing to metabolic programming. For example, many studies have linked the presence of specific miRNAs in milk to the regulation of immune responses [152][153][154], epigenetic mechanisms [155][156][157], metabolism [153], and also adipogenesis [158].…”

El médico familiar como facilitador clave de la lactancia materna

“…Entre 2015 y 2020 solo el 44% de los bebés de cero a seis meses de todo el mundo fueron amamantados, y en Colombia, de acuerdo a la última Encuesta Nacional de la Situación Nutricional realizada en 2015, este porcentaje llega solo a 36% (16). Cabe recordar que la lactancia materna exclusiva hasta los seis meses y complementada por otros alimentos al menos hasta los dos años de edad ofrece multitud de ventajas para la madre y el niño, tales como el adecuado desarrollo neurológico y cognitivo en general (17)(18) (19), un menor riesgo de asma, dermatitis atópica, gastroenteritis, enterocolitis necrotizante, muerte súbita del lactante, otitis media, leucemia infantil, obesidad y diabetes mellitus tipo 1 y 2.…”

Nutritional Strategies for Preterm Neonates and Preterm Neonates Undergoing Surgery: New Insights for Practice and Wrong Beliefs to Uproot

“…The advantages of human milk for preterm newborns have been shown by several research studies, even for those who underwent major surgery [ 44 , 45 ]. Human milk plays a crucial role in neurodevelopment through crucial nutrients, such as polyunsaturated fatty acids, that support brain development [ 46 , 47 ]. In recent years, attention has focused on the early introduction of human milk so that the newborn is no longer exposed to a long period of PN [ 48 ].…”