Cyrielle Garcia

Phospholipid fingerprints of milk from different mammalians determined by 31P NMR: Towards specific interest in human health

Our objective was to identify and quantify phospholipids in milk from different species (human HM, cow CoM, camel CaM, and mare MM) using an optimised (31)P NMR spectroscopy procedure. The phospholipid fingerprints were species-specific with a broader variety of classes found in HM and MM; HM and CaM were richer in sphingomyelin (78.3 and 117.5μg/ml) and plasmalogens (27.3 and 24μg/ml), possibly important for infant development. Total phospholipid content was higher in CaM (0.503mM) and lower in MM (0.101mM) compared to HM (0.324mM) or CoM (0.265mM). Our optimised method showed good sensitivity, high resolution, and easy sample preparation with minimal loss of target molecules. It is suitable for determining the accurate composition of a large number of bioactive phospholipids with putative health benefits, including plasmalogens, and should aid in selecting appropriate ingredient sources for infant milk substitutes or fortifiers, and for functional foods dedicated to adults.

Bioactive compounds in human milk and intestinal health and maturity in preterm newborn: an overview

Premature births are increasing worldwide (about 15 millions per year) due to several reasons (an advanced maternal age, fertility treatments, stress, smoking, nutritional deficiencies) and lead to a high societal overall cost. Among neonatal care procedures, the clinical nutrition practices are essential to promote the development and to minimize the sequelae. Premature newborns are at major risk of death by infections due to the immaturity of their intestine. Human milk provides not only nutrients but also a plethora of biologically active components that are tailored to contribute to the development of the intestinal tract early in postnatal life. Among them, some bioactive molecules exhibit trophic effects (LC—PUFA, sphingomyelin, IGF—I and IGF—II, EGF, insulin, leptin, adiponectin, lactoferrin, lactadherin, probiotics, prebiotics, miRNA) or are part of the intestinal cell membranes (PUFA, LC—PUFA, phospholipids, sphingolipids, cholesterol), others educate the intestine for innate microbial recognition (sCD14, sTLR—2, miRNA), many of them display direct fighting against pathogens (some fatty acids and monoglycerides, some phospholipids and sphingolipids, BSSL, insulin, lactoferrin, sIgAs, MUC—1, lactadherin, probiotics, prebiotics), or contribute to establish the gut microbiota (LC—PUFA, lactoferrin, probiotics, prebiotics). A synergetic action exists between several bioactive molecules. All together these precious agents regulate the maturation of the intestinal mucosal barrier, and might program early in postnatal life the future adult intestinal health. This review lists the main bioactive compounds and addresses their plausible roles and mechanisms of action.

French mothers' milk deficient in DHA contains phospholipid species of potential interest for infant development.

Objectives: An insufficient human milk docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) level was reported worldwide, which leads to the question of the sufficiency of the DHA supply for infant development in the French Mediterranean area. Also, among milk lipids, phospholipids may be of high potential interest for infant brain development, being a specific vector of DHA and providing plasmalogens. We aimed to estimate the consumption of such milk compounds by preterm and term infants. Materials and Methods: Milk samples from 22 lactating French women living in a port city, Marseille, were collected in a neonatology department from a single full-breast expression using an electric pump. Amounts of triglycerides, total phospholipids and plasmalogens, and fatty acid profile were determined by gas chromatography, and cholesterol by enzymatic assay. Results: Depending on the infant dietary guidelines we referred to, 46% or 82% of milk samples were below the recommended DHA level (0.4% or 0.7%), and a majority exhibited high linoleic acid/&agr;-linolenic acid and n-6/n-3 ratios, probably resulting from high linoleic acid together with low fish and seafood products consumption. DHA carried by phospholipids in a majority of specimens met the requirements for brain development for term but not for premature infants. Milk plasmalogen levels ranged from 3.4 to 39.2 mg/L. Conclusions: Our results support the recommendation of DHA supplementation to French mothers living in a Mediterranean port city, and of decreased linoleic acid intake, to reach optimal milk composition for infant health. DHA-containing phospholipids including plasmalogen species may represent important bioactive human milk compounds.

The association between linoleic acid levels in colostrum and child cognition at 2 and 3 y in the EDEN cohort

Background:Breastfeeding has been associated with improved cognitive development. This may be explained by polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) content of breast milk, especially long-chain (LC) PUFA that are needed for postnatal brain growth.Methods:Using data from the French EDEN cohort, we aimed to study whether the PUFA content of colostrum may explain observed associations between breastfeeding duration and cognitive scores at 2 and 3 y. A total of 709 breastfed children with available data on PUFA composition of milk were assessed using parent-reported questionnaires for motor and language at 2 y of age, or global cognition at 3 y. Multiple linear regressions were used to examine associations between PUFA levels and child cognitive scores, after controlling for many confounders.Results:We found no association between LCPUFA levels in colostrum and child development. However, levels of linoleic acid (LA) were negatively associated with motor and cognitive scores, independently of breastfeeding duration. Children breastfed with the highest levels of LA tended to score closer to the never breastfed children than children breastfed with the lowest levels of LA.Conclusion:Our findings suggest that too high levels of LA in colostrum are associated with poorer child development at 2 and 3 y.BACKGROUND Breastfeeding has been associated with improved cognitive development. This may be explained by polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) content of breast milk, especially long-chain (LC) PUFA that are needed for postnatal brain growth. METHODS Using data from the French EDEN cohort, we aimed to study whether the PUFA content of colostrum may explain observed associations between breastfeeding duration and cognitive scores at 2 and 3 y. A total of 709 breastfed children with available data on PUFA composition of milk were assessed using parent-reported questionnaires for motor and language at 2 y of age, or global cognition at 3 y. Multiple linear regressions were used to examine associations between PUFA levels and child cognitive scores, after controlling for many confounders. RESULTS We found no association between LCPUFA levels in colostrum and child development. However, levels of linoleic acid (LA) were negatively associated with motor and cognitive scores, independently of breastfeeding duration. Children breastfed with the highest levels of LA tended to score closer to the never breastfed children than children breastfed with the lowest levels of LA. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that too high levels of LA in colostrum are associated with poorer child development at 2 and 3 y.

A combination of lipidomics, MS imaging, and PET scan imaging reveals differences in cerebral activity in rat pups according to the lipid quality of infant formulas

We evaluated the effect of adding docosahexaenoic:arachidonic acids (3:2) (DHA+ARA) to 2 representative commercial infant formulas on brain activity and brain and eye lipids in an artificially reared rat pup model. The formula lipid background was either a pure plant oil blend, or dairy fat with a plant oil blend (1:1). Results at weaning were compared to breast milk–fed pups. Brain functional activity was determined by positron emission tomography scan imaging, the brain and eye fatty acid and lipid composition by targeted and untargeted lipidomics, and DHA brain regional location by mass‐spectrometry imaging. The brain functional activity was normalized to controls with DHA+ARA added to the formulas. DHA in both brain and eyes was influenced by formula intake, but more than two‐thirds of tissue DHA‐glycerolipids remained insensitive to the dietary challenge. However, the DHA lipidome correlated better with brain function than sole DHA content (r = 0.70 vs. r = 0.48; P < 0.05). Brain DHA regional distribution was more affected by the formula lipid background than the provision of PUFAs. Adding DHA+ARA to formulas alters the DHA content and lipidome of nervous tissue in the neonate, making it closer to dam milk‐fed controls, and normalizes brain functional activity.—Aidoud, N., Delplanque, B., Baudry, C., Garcia, C., Moyon, A., Balasse, L., Guillet, B., Antona, C., Darmaun, D., Fraser, K., Ndiaye, S., Leruyet, P., Martin, J.‐C. A combination of lipidomics, MS imaging, and PET scan imaging reveals differences in cerebral activity in rat pups according to the lipid quality of infant formulas. FASEB J. 32, 4776–4790 (2018). www.fasebj.org

387 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Colostrum and Cognitive Development in Breastfed Children of the Eden Mother-Child Cohort Study

Background and Aims Epidemiological studies suggest that breastfeeding could be beneficial for child cognitive development, but pathways involved remain to be elucidated. We aimed to investigate the potential role of breast milk content in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), by studying their associations with later cognitive development. Methods We analyzed lipid contents of colostrum samples collected from 613 breastfeeding mothers of the EDEN mother-child cohort. Cognitive development at 3 years was assessed with the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ, score between 0 and 300). We investigated associations between colostrum PUFAs and ASQ score using multiple linear regressions adjusted for centre, child’s age, gender and gestational age, maternal tobacco and alcohol consumptions, parental education, siblings, caregivers, preschool attendance and exclusive breastfeeding duration. Results Mean ASQ score was 274.2 (±25.1). Total PUFAs and n-6 PUFAs means were respectively 14.3% (±2.0) and 12.1% (±1.9) of total lipids in colostrum. Mean n-6/n-3 ratio was 5.7 (±1.3). After adjustment, ASQ score was negatively associated with total PUFAs (β= –1.8 [–2.8; –0.8]), n-6 PUFAs (–1.95 [–3.0; –0.9]) and n-6/n-3 ratio (–1.7 [–3.3; –0.2]). No association was found with n-3 PUFAs. Associations did not differ according to breastfeeding duration (P interaction >0.57). Conclusions After adjustment for confounders, especially maternal education, colostrum content in n-6 PUFA was negatively associated with child cognitive development, independently of exclusive breastfeeding duration. These results suggest that n-6 PUFAs provided in excess might compete with n-3 PUFAs biosynthesis necessary for early brain maturation and impact negatively on later cognitive development.