Suppressive effects of breast milk on oxidative DNA damage in very low birthweight infants
H Shoji1, T Shimizu, K Shinohara
1Department of Paediatrics, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
Insights
Human milk provides antioxidant benefits for very low birthweight (VLBW) infants. Breast milk significantly reduced oxidative DNA damage markers in VLBW infants compared to formula.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Nutrition
- Pediatric Antioxidant Research
- Oxidative Stress Biomarkers
Background:
- Human milk is rich in antioxidants, potentially protecting against oxidative stress-related diseases.
- Very low birthweight (VLBW) infants are particularly vulnerable to oxidative damage.
- Oxygen free radicals are implicated in diseases affecting VLBW infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the antioxidant effects of human milk in VLBW infants.
- To use urinary 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) as a non-invasive marker of oxidative DNA damage.
- To compare oxidative DNA damage levels between breastfed and formula-fed VLBW infants.
Main Methods:
- Measured urinary 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) concentrations.
- Studied 15 breastfed and 14 formula-fed VLBW infants.
- Collected samples at 2, 7, 14, and 28 days of age.
Main Results:
- Urinary 8-OHdG levels decreased significantly from day 2/7 to day 14/28 in breastfed VLBW infants.
- Breastfed VLBW infants showed significantly lower 8-OHdG excretion compared to formula-fed infants.
- This indicates reduced in vivo oxidative DNA damage in infants receiving human milk.
Conclusions:
- Provides the first direct evidence of human milk's antioxidant action in VLBW infants.
- Supports the protective role of breastfeeding against oxidative stress in premature neonates.
- Highlights the importance of human milk for reducing DNA damage in vulnerable infants.
Background:
Human milk contains many kinds of antioxidant and is considered to prevent diseases mediated by oxygen free radicals in very low birthweight (VLBW) infants.
Aims:
To examine the antioxidant effects of breast milk in VLBW infants by determining urinary 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) excretion, which is known to be a non-invasive marker for in vivo oxidative DNA damage.
Methods:
Urinary 8-OHdG concentrations were measured in 15 breast fed and 14 formula fed VLBW infants at 2, 7, 14, and 28 days of age.
Results:
Urinary 8-OHdG excretion at 14 and 28 days of age was significantly lower than at 2 and 7 days of age in the breast fed group, and significantly lower than in the formula fed group.
Conclusion:
This is the first direct evidence of the antioxidant action of human milk in VLBW infants.
