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Comparative Lipidomic Analyses Reveal Different Protections in Preterm and Term Breast Milk for Infants
Liping Xu1, Wenjuan Chen2, Xingyun Wang2
1Department of Pediatrics, Zhangzhou Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Zhangzhou, China.
Insights
Human milk lipids differ significantly between preterm and term infants. These lipid variations, including increased phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine in preterm milk, may impact neonatal development.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Neonatal Nutrition
- Metabolomics
Background:
- Human milk is crucial for neonatal health, with lipids playing a key role in infant development and disease prevention.
- Neonates, especially preterm infants, have unique nutritional needs that may be met by specific milk compositions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze and compare lipid profiles in human milk from mothers of preterm versus term infants.
- To identify specific lipid differences and predict their potential impact on neonatal development.
Main Methods:
- Colostrum samples were collected from mothers of term and preterm infants.
- Lipid profiles were analyzed using Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) metabolomics.
- Orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) was employed for lipid distinction.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in lipid profiles were observed between preterm and term human milk.
- 235 differential lipids, including 16 subclasses, were identified (VIP > 1, P < 0.05).
- Preterm milk showed higher levels of phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine, and lower levels of diacylglycerol and ceramide compared to term milk.
Conclusions:
- Lipid composition varies between preterm and term human colostrum.
- These lipid variations are potentially critical for optimal neonatal development.
- Associated pathways include glycerophospholipid metabolism, sphingolipid metabolism, and neuronal signaling.
Abstract:
Aim: Neonates are notably vulnerable, however they have improved outcomes if they are fed human milk. Human milk lipids constitute the primary constituents of human milk and serve a pivotal role in safeguarding infants from diseases. We assessed the lipid differences between preterm and term human milk and predicted the prospective impacts of these lipids on the development of neonates. Methods and results: We collected colostrum from healthy breast-feeding mothers who had delivered either term or preterm infants. We analyzed the lipid profiles of preterm, as well as term human milk using an LC-MS/MS metabolomics strategy. The orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis score plots revealed remarkable distinction of lipids in preterm and term human milk. In total, 16 subclasses of 235 differential lipids (variable importance in projection > 1, P < 0.05) were identified. Notably, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine were robustly increased in preterm human milk, while diacylglycerol and ceramide were markedly decreased in preterm human milk. Pathway analysis revealed that these dysregulated lipids are closely associated with glycerophospholipid metabolism, sphingolipid metabolism, Reelin signaling in neurons, and LXR/RXR activation. Conclusion: The results show that the lipids in preterm and term human colostrum vary, which may be critical for neonatal development.
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