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Isolation of Leukocytes from Human Breast Milk for Use in an Antibody-dependent Cellular Phagocytosis Assay of HIV Targets
Published on: September 6, 2019
Human milk contains detectable levels of immunoreactive leptin
R E Lyle1, S C Kincaid, J C Bryant
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, and Arkansas Children's Hospital, Little Rock 72202, USA.
Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
|January 15, 2002
Summary
Leptin, a protein regulating appetite and energy, was detected in human milk. This finding suggests human milk leptin may contribute to satiety in breast-fed infants.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Human Lactation
- Infant Nutrition
Background:
- Leptin, a 16 kDa protein produced by the obese (ob) gene, functions as a circulating satiety factor and regulates energy expenditure.
- While primarily known for adipocyte production, leptin mRNA is found in the placenta and fetus, suggesting a role in growth.
- Breast-fed infants exhibit lower energy intake and are leaner than formula-fed infants, hinting at a potential role for milk components in satiety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To qualitatively investigate the presence of leptin in human milk.
- To explore the hypothesis that human milk leptin mediates satiety in breast-fed infants.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of random human milk samples from 4 mothers within the first 2 weeks of lactation.
- Protein content quantification after milk centrifugation and aqueous layer removal.
- Immunoblotting using anti-leptin antibody after SDS-PAGE and nitrocellulose transfer of 100 µg total protein.
Main Results:
- Significant amounts of leptin protein were detected in all examined human milk samples.
- No substantial differences in leptin detection were observed between fresh and frozen milk.
- Minimal variation in leptin detection was noted between foremilk and hindmilk samples.
Conclusions:
- This preliminary study confirms the presence of leptin in term human milk.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the bioactivity of leptin derived from human milk.
- Human milk leptin may play a role in infant satiety regulation.
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