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Beta-casein in human milk is associated with infant stool frequency: A pilot proteomics study
Zhan-Hua Li1, Zhen-Rong Xie2, Meng Li3
1Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China.
Physiological Reports
|August 5, 2026
Summary
Human milk proteins, particularly beta-casein, are linked to infant stool frequency. Lower beta-casein levels in breast milk correlate with less frequent stools in exclusively breastfed infants.
Area of Science:
- Human milk proteomics
- Infant gut physiology
- Nutritional biochemistry
Background:
- The precise role of human milk proteins in regulating infant gut function and defecation patterns is not fully understood.
- Existing knowledge suggests a potential link, but specific protein associations require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between specific human milk protein variations and stool frequency in exclusively breastfed infants.
- To identify differentially expressed proteins in breast milk related to infant defecation patterns.
Main Methods:
- Exploratory pilot study involving 9 exclusively breastfed infants categorized by defecation frequency (normal, frequent, infrequent).
- Tandem mass tag (TMT)-based proteomics analysis of breast milk samples to identify proteins.
- Gene Ontology (GO), KEGG pathway, and protein-protein interaction (PPI) analyses for functional exploration.
Main Results:
- A total of 2563 proteins were identified in breast milk.
- Beta-casein, alpha(s1)-casein, and kappa-casein were significantly downregulated in infants with infrequent stools (Group C) compared to normal frequency (Group A).
- Beta-casein exhibited the most significant downregulation (p=0.0003) and was associated with infant stool frequency.
Conclusions:
- Findings suggest a significant association between lower beta-casein levels in breast milk and reduced infant stool frequency.
- This research may inform understanding of infant constipation and diarrhea related to breastfeeding.
- Provides a theoretical basis for developing targeted breast milk fortifiers to improve infant intestinal health.
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