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Updated: Jun 30, 2025
08:53
Quantitative and Qualitative Method for Sphingomyelin by LC-MS Using Two Stable Isotopically Labeled Sphingomyelin Species
Published on: May 7, 2018
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Human milk sphingomyelin: Function, metabolism, composition and mimicking.
Yuying Yuan1, Junying Zhao2, Qian Liu1
1Key Laboratory of Dairy Science, Ministry of Education, Food Science College, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China; National Engineering Research Center of Dairy Health for Maternal and Child, Beijing Sanyuan Foods Co. Ltd., Beijing 100163, China; Beijing Engineering Research Center of Dairy, Beijing Technical Innovation Center of Human Milk Research, Beijing Sanyuan Foods Co. Ltd., Beijing 100163, China.
Food Chemistry
|March 23, 2024
Summary
Sphingomyelin (SM) in human milk is vital for infant brain development and gut health. Further research is needed to understand its nutritional functions and optimize infant nutrition strategies.
Area of Science:
- Human milk composition and infant nutrition
- Lipid biochemistry and metabolism
- Developmental pediatrics
Background:
- Human milk is the optimal nutrition source for infants, providing essential nutrients for development.
- Polar lipids, including sphingomyelin (SM), are crucial components of human milk fat, particularly for the milk fat globule membrane.
- Sphingomyelin (SM) is recognized for its roles in infant brain and nervous system development, gut microbiota regulation, and skin barrier enhancement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the functional mechanisms of sphingomyelin (SM) in human milk for infant nutrition.
- To explore the metabolic pathways, influencing factors, and potential for mimicking SM in infant formulas.
- To identify challenges in enhancing maternal and infant nutrition through SM optimization.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing studies on human milk sphingomyelin (SM).
- Analysis of research on the nutritional functions and metabolic pathways of SM.
- Synthesis of information on factors affecting SM composition and strategies for its imitation.
Main Results:
- Sphingomyelin (SM) is a key polar lipid in human milk, essential for infant neurodevelopment and gut health.
- While de novo synthesis occurs, dietary SM from human milk plays a significant role in infant nutrition.
- Understanding the molecular mechanisms of SM's nutritional benefits requires further investigation.
Conclusions:
- Sphingomyelin (SM) is a critical bioactive lipid in human milk with profound effects on infant development.
- Further research into SM's functional mechanisms is necessary to improve infant nutrition and inform formula development.
- Optimizing SM content and composition in infant nutrition presents challenges but offers significant potential for long-term health benefits.
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