Levels of Cytokines (IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α) and Trace Elements (Zn, Cu) in Breast Milk From Mothers of Preterm and Term Infants

It has been well documented that human milk contains several immunomodulator components which are important during infant period when the newborn's immune system is still under development. In this study, we aim at examining levels of cytokines, zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) in milk from mothers o...

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Main Authors: Bilal Ustundag, Erdal Yilmaz, Yasar Dogan, Saadet Akarsu, Halit Canatan, Ihsan Halifeoglu, Gurkan Cikim, A. Denizmen Aygun
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2005-01-01
Series:Mediators of Inflammation
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/MI.2005.331
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author Bilal Ustundag
Erdal Yilmaz
Yasar Dogan
Saadet Akarsu
Halit Canatan
Ihsan Halifeoglu
Gurkan Cikim
A. Denizmen Aygun
author_facet Bilal Ustundag
Erdal Yilmaz
Yasar Dogan
Saadet Akarsu
Halit Canatan
Ihsan Halifeoglu
Gurkan Cikim
A. Denizmen Aygun
author_sort Bilal Ustundag
collection DOAJ
description It has been well documented that human milk contains several immunomodulator components which are important during infant period when the newborn's immune system is still under development. In this study, we aim at examining levels of cytokines, zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) in milk from mothers of premature and mature infants, and comparing changes during lactation periods consequently. Milk was collected from total of 40 mothers (group M: mothers of mature infants, n=20; group PM: mothers of premature infants, n=20) from four lactation stages: colostrum (0–7 days), transitional (7–14 days), mature milk (21 days), and mature milk (2nd month). Levels of cytokines (interleukin [IL]-lβ, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-α]) were determined by chemiluminesence method, whereas atomic absorption spectrophotometer was used for the determination of Zn and Cu levels. Cytokine levels were determined to be high in colostrum and transient milk from mothers of full-term infants, whereas their levels were reduced drastically in the 21st day and the 2nd month milk (P<.01, P<.001). Similar trends were observed in milk from mothers of premature infants, but cytokine levels were significantly lower in colostrum compared to colostrum from mothers of mature infants (P<.01). The differences in cytokine levels were continuous in transient milk (P<.05) and mature milk (21 days) (P<.05), whereas there was no statistically significant differences between milk from both groups of mothers in the 2nd month (P>.05). Zn levels in milk from mothers of premature infants were significantly lower compared to the ones from mothers of mature infants (P<.01) and these differences continued through the 2nd month. Although Cu levels were lower in milk from mothers of premature infants, there was no statistically significant difference except colostrum (P>.05). Our results clearly demonstrate that the level of immunomodulating agents such as cytokines and trace elements in milk from mothers of premature infants is less than the level of the same agents in milk from mothers of full-term infants. Although there are commercially available products for infant feeding, human milk is still the best natural nutrient for newborns. Therefore, when premature infants are breastfed, necessary precautions such as supplemantary diets must be considered for possible infections and risks related with immune system deficiency.
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spelling doaj-art-8fa74d72a2f74577a4036631322e0afe2025-02-03T05:52:08ZengWileyMediators of Inflammation0962-93511466-18612005-01-012005633133610.1155/MI.2005.331Levels of Cytokines (IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α) and Trace Elements (Zn, Cu) in Breast Milk From Mothers of Preterm and Term InfantsBilal Ustundag0Erdal Yilmaz1Yasar Dogan2Saadet Akarsu3Halit Canatan4Ihsan Halifeoglu5Gurkan Cikim6A. Denizmen Aygun7Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Firat University, Elazig 23119, TurkeyDepartment of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Firat University, Elazig 23119, TurkeyDepartment of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Firat University, Elazig 23119, TurkeyDepartment of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Firat University, Elazig 23119, TurkeyDepartment of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Firat University, Elazig 23119, TurkeyDepartment of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Firat University, Elazig 23119, TurkeyDepartment of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Firat University, Elazig 23119, TurkeyDepartment of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Firat University, Elazig 23119, TurkeyIt has been well documented that human milk contains several immunomodulator components which are important during infant period when the newborn's immune system is still under development. In this study, we aim at examining levels of cytokines, zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) in milk from mothers of premature and mature infants, and comparing changes during lactation periods consequently. Milk was collected from total of 40 mothers (group M: mothers of mature infants, n=20; group PM: mothers of premature infants, n=20) from four lactation stages: colostrum (0–7 days), transitional (7–14 days), mature milk (21 days), and mature milk (2nd month). Levels of cytokines (interleukin [IL]-lβ, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-α]) were determined by chemiluminesence method, whereas atomic absorption spectrophotometer was used for the determination of Zn and Cu levels. Cytokine levels were determined to be high in colostrum and transient milk from mothers of full-term infants, whereas their levels were reduced drastically in the 21st day and the 2nd month milk (P<.01, P<.001). Similar trends were observed in milk from mothers of premature infants, but cytokine levels were significantly lower in colostrum compared to colostrum from mothers of mature infants (P<.01). The differences in cytokine levels were continuous in transient milk (P<.05) and mature milk (21 days) (P<.05), whereas there was no statistically significant differences between milk from both groups of mothers in the 2nd month (P>.05). Zn levels in milk from mothers of premature infants were significantly lower compared to the ones from mothers of mature infants (P<.01) and these differences continued through the 2nd month. Although Cu levels were lower in milk from mothers of premature infants, there was no statistically significant difference except colostrum (P>.05). Our results clearly demonstrate that the level of immunomodulating agents such as cytokines and trace elements in milk from mothers of premature infants is less than the level of the same agents in milk from mothers of full-term infants. Although there are commercially available products for infant feeding, human milk is still the best natural nutrient for newborns. Therefore, when premature infants are breastfed, necessary precautions such as supplemantary diets must be considered for possible infections and risks related with immune system deficiency.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/MI.2005.331
spellingShingle Bilal Ustundag
Erdal Yilmaz
Yasar Dogan
Saadet Akarsu
Halit Canatan
Ihsan Halifeoglu
Gurkan Cikim
A. Denizmen Aygun
Levels of Cytokines (IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α) and Trace Elements (Zn, Cu) in Breast Milk From Mothers of Preterm and Term Infants
Mediators of Inflammation
title Levels of Cytokines (IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α) and Trace Elements (Zn, Cu) in Breast Milk From Mothers of Preterm and Term Infants
title_full Levels of Cytokines (IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α) and Trace Elements (Zn, Cu) in Breast Milk From Mothers of Preterm and Term Infants
title_fullStr Levels of Cytokines (IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α) and Trace Elements (Zn, Cu) in Breast Milk From Mothers of Preterm and Term Infants
title_full_unstemmed Levels of Cytokines (IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α) and Trace Elements (Zn, Cu) in Breast Milk From Mothers of Preterm and Term Infants
title_short Levels of Cytokines (IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α) and Trace Elements (Zn, Cu) in Breast Milk From Mothers of Preterm and Term Infants
title_sort levels of cytokines il 1β il 2 il 6 il 8 tnf α and trace elements zn cu in breast milk from mothers of preterm and term infants
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/MI.2005.331
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