Phospholipid fatty acids in cord blood: family history and development of allergy

The fatty acid composition of umbilical cord serum phospholipids was investigated by gas chromatography in 33 infants with allergic and 35 babies of non-allergic mothers. The relative levels of the linoleic acid metabolites C20:3, arachidonic acid (AA, C20:4) and C22:4n-6, and two α-linolenic acid metabolites, i.e. eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6) were significantly higher in infants of allergic mothers than in non-allergic mothers (all p < 0.05). Furthermore, an altered proportional relationship between the various fatty acids in n-6 series fatty acids and between n-3 and n-6 series fatty acids was present already at birth in infants who developed allergic disease during their first 6 years of life. These observations cannot be employed for the prediction of allergy, however, as the individual variations were considerable.     

Immunoglobulin levels in mothers and their new-born in two socio-economic groups

Levels of the three major immunoglobulins IgG, A and M were measured in paired maternal and cord sera from two income groups of population at the time of delivery. Levels of IgG were significantly higher in the maternal sera obtained from low income group. A close correlation was seen between cord IgG and birth weight upto 2.3 kg. 4% and 25% of cord sera had levels of IgA and IgM greater than 2 S.D. of mean levels indicating possibility of intrauterine infection. The possibility of placental leak was negated by the observation that the levels of these two Igs were also higher in corresponding maternal sera. Low degree of correlation between maternal or cord immunoglobulins of all classes and birth weight suggested that intrauterine infection has relatively minor role in influencing the birth weight of the neonate.     

Polyunsaturated fatty acids in school children in relation to allergy and serum IgE levels

Altered composition of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) has been observed in allergic individuals and it has been proposed that this is due to an impairment of δ-6-desaturase activity. We have studied the composition of PUFA in serum phospholipids in twenty-two 12-15 year old children with asthma and/or allergic dermatitis and 23 non-atopic controls of similar age. The relative levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6n-3) and total n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCP) were lower (1.46%± 0.54 vs. 1.90%± 0.58, P = 0.01 for DHA and 2.34%± 0.67 vs. 2.80%± 0.77, P <0.05 for total n-3 LCP) and the ratio of total n-6 to n-3 LCP was higher (P < 0.01) in the allergic children than in the controls. In addition to these differences, the relative levels of docosapentaenoic acid (DPA, C22:5n-3) and the ratio of arachidonic acid (AA, C20:4n-6) to dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DHGLA, C20:3n-6) were also lower in the 12 allergic children with positive skin prick test, as compared with the SIT negative children (both P < 0.05). In non-allergic children, the levels of total n-3 correlated with n-6 LCP (r = 0.76, p < 0.001). Furthermore, the n-3 LCP, i.e. EPA, DPA and DHA, correlated significantly with each other (r = 0.52-0.78, all p < 0.01) and correlated with n-6 LCP, i.e. C20:2, DHGLA and AA respectively (r = 0.56-0.83, all P < 0.01). Most of these correlations were absent in allergic children.
Higher levels of C20:2n-6 and lower levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C20:5n-3) were recorded in 11 allergic children with serum IgE above the median level (56 kU/1), as compared to 11 with lower IgE levels (both P < 0.05). Furthermore, the levels of C20:2n-6 correlated with the IgE levels in the children (r = 0.65, P = 0.001).
The findings could not confirm an impaired δ-6-desaturase activity in allergic school children and suggest that a disturbance of LCP metabolism is associated with allergic diseases.     

Maternal adipose tissue, maternal and cord blood essential fatty acids and their long-chain polyunsaturated derivatives composition after elective caesarean section

BACKGROUND: The essential fatty acids and their long-chain polyunsaturated derivatives (LC PUFAs) are important for the growth and maturation of the fetal organism. OBJECTIVE: The aim of a study was to assess the profile of the essential fatty acids and their LC PUFAs in the blood and adipose tissue of pregnant women and in the cord blood after elective caesarean section. DESIGN: The study group comprised 36 women and 38 their full-term babies born after elective caesarean section. In maternal adipose tissue, maternal blood (separately in plasma and erythrocytes) and cord blood (separately arterial and venous) composition of the fatty acids in total lipids was estimated with gas chromatography. RESULTS: In the maternal plasma and erythrocytes the weight percent content of linoleic acid and alfalinolenic acid was higher and of LC PUFAs was lower than in plasma and erythrocytes from the umbilical vein with the exception of EPA and DPA. In the maternal subcutaneous adipose tissue the content of alfalinolenic acid was higher and of linoleic acid and of LC PUFAs were lower than in maternal plasma and erythrocytes. There was no significant difference in the weight percent content of estimated acids between the venous and arterial umbilical blood. In the maternal plasma the weight percent content of linoleic acid, alfalinolenic acid and LC PUFAs was lower than in the maternal erythrocytes. CONCLUSION: Differences between maternal and cord blood essential fatty acids and their metabolites indicate that preferential placental transfer of n-6 and n-3 fatty acid metabolites or faster metabolic turnover of linolenic and arachidonic acids in the fetus than in mother is possible.     

Interrelation of maternal and foetal glucose and free fatty acids

At birth there is a statistically significant correlation between the maternal blood sugar and the umbilical venous and arterial blood glucose. The glucose concentration in the mother is higher than in the umbilical vein, and in the latter higher than in the umbilical artery. The free fatty acids also show a falling gradient from the mother to the umbilical vein and artery. This supports the assumption that glucose and FFA pass the placenta from the mother to the foetus.Insulin concentration is significantly higher in the mother than in the cord blood. There is however no difference between umbilical venous and arterial plasma insulin. A statistically significant correlation between glucose and insulin is only demonstrable in the maternal blood.Glucagon levels are about the same in maternal and umbilical arterial blood, but are significantly higher in umbilical venous blood. These results are consistent with the supposition that insulin and glucagon do not cross the placenta to a significant extent and can be synthesised by the foetus. In the first few hours after birth, a fall of glucose and a rise in FFA occur at the same time. Insulin tends to be lower than at birth and glucagon rises.

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Zusammenfassung Bei Geburt ist der Blutzucker bei der Mutter am höchsten, niedriger in der Nabelvene und am tiefsten in der Nabelarterie. Diese Unterschiede sind statistisch signifikant.Auch die Konzentration der freien Fettsäuren (FFS) weist ein Konzentrationsgefälle von der Mutter über die Nabelvene zur Nabelarterie auf. Diese Resultate unterstützen die Annahme, daß Glucose und FFS von der Mutter via Placenta auf den Fötus übergehen.Im mütterlichen Blut ist die Insulinkonzentration höher als im Nabelschnurblut. Es ist kein eindeutiger Unterschied zwischen Nabelvene und-arterie vorhanden. Nur im mütterlichen Blut ist eine signifikante Korrelation zwischen Glucose und Insulin nachweisbar.Hinsichtlich der Glucagonkonzentration bestehen nur geringe Unterschiede zwischen dem mütterlichen Blut und der Nabelarterie. Sie ist aber in der Nabelvene signifikant höher als bei der Mutter.Das Verhalten von Insulin und Glucagon ist vereinbar mit der Annahme, daß diese Hormone die Placenta nicht in wesentlichem Ausmaß passieren und im Fötus gebildet werden. In den ersten Stunden nach der Geburt sinkt die Glucose, die FFS steigen an, Insulin sinkt ab, und es erfolgt ein wesentlicher Anstieg von Glucagon.

     

Hemoglobin and serum ferritin levels in mothers and infants at birth

Hemoglobin levels and serum ferritin concentrations were measured in cord blood and maternal blood taken a few hours before birth. Maternal serum ferritin levels were 29.1±18.6 g/l which is lower than values given for normal adult women. Serum ferritin levels in cord blood were 144.4±73.2 g/l which is higher than levels in normal adult men. No correlation was found between newborn hemoglobin and serum ferritin levels, or between newborn birth weight and serum ferritin levels.     

多不饱和脂肪酸预防过敏性疾病的研究进展

研究显示n-3多不饱和脂肪酸(PUFA)摄入降低与过敏性疾病发病率增加有关.补充n-3PUFA对过敏性疾病的临床疗效尚不确定,但已有流行病学研究提示n-3 PUFA具有一定抗过敏效应.近年来生命早期补充n-3 PUFA对过敏性疾病的预防成为研究的重点.     

Serum zinc and copper levels in the maternal blood and cord blood of neonates

Estimation of serum zinc and copper in the maternal blood and cord blood of neonates was carried out to correlate the trace metals in the neonates and their mothers in relation to gestational age and birth weight. Sixty-five healthy neonates, both term and preterm and their mothers were selected. This cross sectional study was done at Azimpur Maternity Centre, Dhaka Medical College Hospital and Chemistry Division, Atomic Energy Centre, Dhaka, Bangladesh from July 1997 to June 1998. The estimation of trace metals was carried out by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). The mean serum zinc levels in the maternal blood and cord blood were 0.47 ± 0.24 μg/ml and 0.85 ± 0.33 μg/ml respectively and the mean copper levels in the maternal blood and cord blood were 1.37 ± 0.62 μg/ml and 0.31 ± 0.32 μg/ml respectively. Cord blood zinc level was significantly higher and cord blood copper level was significantly lower than the corresponding maternal blood levels. There was no significant correlation between gestational age and serum zinc levels in the cord or maternal blood. But significant inverse correlation was found between gestational age and serum levels of copper in the maternal and cord blood.     

Faecal short chain fatty acids in breast-fed and formula-fed babies

Edwards CA, Parrett AM, Balmer SE, Wharton BA. Faecal short chain fatty acids in breast-fed and formula-fed babies. Acta Pædiatr 1994;83:459–62. Stockholm. ISSN 0803–5253
The intestinal flora of breast-fed infants differs from that of formula-fed infants. It is thought that this difference in flora may be one important reason why breast-fed babies suffer less from gastrointestinal disease. Differences in intestinal flora are reflected in the profile of faecal short chain fatty acids (SCFA). Very little is known about faecal concentrations of SCFA in babies fed breast milk or infant formula. In this study, faecal SCFA were measured in babies at two and four weeks of age who had been either exclusively breast fed or bottle fed from birth. There was no significant difference in total faecal SCFA concentrations between breast-fed and formula-fed babies when lactate was included. The formula-fed group, however, had less lactic acid and higher concentrations of propionic and n-buytric acids than breast-fed babies. Very few babies had significant levels of n-butyric acid, although this SCFA is believed to be important for the health of the colonic mucosa of adults.     

Fatty acid composition of phospholipids of plasma and of mononuclear blood cells in children with allergic asthma and the influence of glucocorticoids

Fatty acid (FA) composition of plasma phospholipids and phospholipids extracted from peripheral mononuclear white blood cells (MNC) was investigated in 11 allergic asthmatic children (age 8.9±4.6 years), in 10 age-matched non-allergic healthy controls and in 14 allergic and non-allergic children with an acute attack of asthma, who had received prednisolone medication for 2–4 days. In allergic asthmatics eicosapentaenoic acid (205n–3) was significantly elevated in both plasma and MNC. The relative amount of 205n–3 in MNC as well as in plasma correlated positively with increasing levels of total serum IgE (P<0.02). The pattern of the other FAs in plasma and of MNC phospholipids did not differ between allergic asthmatic and non-allergic control children. In children with an acute attack of asthma, who had been treated with glucocorticoids (2 mg prednisolone/kg body weight for 2–4 days), distinct changes of relative FA composition of phospholipids were restricted to plasma, where some very long chain FA (224n–6, 225n–6) were elevated. No significant changes in FA from MNC phospholipids could be observed after glucocorticoid treatment. These findings may indicate a possible role of 205n–3, the precursor of group 3 eicosanoids, in allergic asthmatic children.     

Breast milk fatty acids,eicosanoids, and cytokines in mothers with and without allergic disease

Allergic disease (AD), including atopic eczema, asthma, allergic rhinitis, and food allergy, is characterized by an imbalance between cytokines produced by distinct T-helper cell subtypes. Whether this imbalance can be transferred from mother to breast milk remains to be established. The objective was to investigate the concentrations and interactions of nutritional and inflammatory factors in breast milk. Breast milk samples were collected from mothers with AD (n = 43) and without AD (n = 51). The concentrations of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta2, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, IL-4, IL-10, prostaglandin E2, and cysteinyl leukotrienes were measured by immunoassays and fatty acid composition by gas chromatography. Mothers with AD had a lower concentration of TGF-beta2 in breast milk [median (interquartile range), 420 (278-701) ng/L] compared with those without AD [539 (378-1108) ng/L; p = 0.003], whereas other cytokines, prostaglandin E2, and cysteinyl leukotriene concentrations or fatty acid composition were not significantly different between the groups. The breast milk inflammatory factors and fatty acid composition were shown to be related. A positive association was observed between TGF-beta2 and the proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids (p = 0.038) and a negative association between TGF-beta2 and the proportion of saturated fatty acids (p = 0.029) in breast milk. The reduced TGF-beta2 concentration in the breast milk of mothers with AD may interfere with the development of the mucosal immune system of the breast-fed infant. The observed associations between nutritional and inflammatory factors in breast milk suggest that it may be possible to influence the immunologic properties of breast milk by dietary intervention of the mother.     

Cytokine levels in healthy and allergic mothers and their children during the first year of life

To assess the regulatory changes of immune system in children genetically pre-disposed to allergic diseases and in their mothers, we tested cytokines IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-13, IFN- γ and TGF- β in 21 healthy and 21 allergic mothers (serum at the time of delivery, colostrum and milk throughout the suckling period) and their children (cord blood, venous blood and stool filtrates) up to 1 yr of age. Samples were taken at the time of delivery, 4 days post-partum and then after 3, 6 and 12 months. Significant differences between the healthy and the allergic group were found in the levels of IL-4, IL-10, IL-13 and IFN- γ . The levels of IL-4 in the allergic group were generally higher; the levels in the sera of children of allergic mothers during the post-natal life decreased, reaching levels typical for the healthy group at 1 yr of age. Allergic mothers exhibited markedly higher IL-10 levels in the serum at the time of delivery and in milk 3 months after delivery than healthy mothers while after 6 months the IL-10 levels in all samples from the allergic group were very low. Children from allergic group had lower intestinal content of IL-13 in comparison with the healthy counterparts. At 1 yr of age, the levels of IFN- γ in sera and stool of children from the allergic group sharply increased. TGF- β levels in the sera of both groups were high, while in the milk they were relatively low and substantially lower that in the children's stool. TGF- β of mammary secretions is therefore unlikely to exert a decisive regulatory influence on the children's immunity. Long-term clinical monitoring of the children will be performed to evaluate the potential prognostic significance of these changes for the future development of allergies.     

早产儿长链多价不饱和脂肪酸水平及相关因素研究

目的 探讨早产儿出生时长链多价不饱和脂肪酸（ＬＣＰ）水平及其相关因素。方法 用毛细管气相色谱法测定２８例早产儿脐静脉血（简称脐血）及其母亲静脉血血浆和红细胞膜ＬＣＰ水平,同时测定早产儿出生时体重、身长、头围。２０例健康足月儿作为对照组。结果（１）母血亚油酸（ＬＡ）、亚麻酸高于脐血,差异有显著意义;脐血花生四烯酸（ＡＡ）、廿二碳六烯酸（ＤＨＡ）高于母血;脐血（ＬＡ）、亚麻酸高于脐血,差异有显著意义;     

Blood sugar,free fatty acids and triglycerides in infants of diabetic mothers

Blood sugar (BS), free fatty acids (FFA) and triglycerides (TG) were estimated in eighteen neonates of diabetic mothers (IDM) and 36 appropriate for gestational age (AGA) term newborns of non-diabetic mothers, delivered normally and having normal blood sugar levels (30 mg/dl and above) were taken as controls. Even though blood sugar levels in the cord blood were higher in IDM group, mean levels were much lower than controls in first few hours of birth and nearly 45 per cent them developed hypoglycemia. A rise in FFA from cord levels in first few hours of birth was seen in all the cases, but levels were lower in IDM as compared to controls. TG levels showed a steady and mild rise from birth onwards. Changes in BS and FFA in IDM can be explained on the basis of hyperinsulinemic state in them in utero and in immediate postnatal period.     

Fatty acids in breast milk of allergic and non-allergic mothers: The PIAMA birth cohort study

Fatty acid composition was studied in breast milk of allergic and non-allergic mothers, focusing in particular on concentrations of the n-6 and n-3 long-chain polyunsaturates (LCP) in relation to maternal allergy. Milk samples were obtained from 168 mothers with asthma or inhalant allergies and 107 mothers without asthma and inhalant allergies, between 2 and 35 weeks after delivery. Mean values of fatty acid concentration (weight% of total fatty acids) were estimated for individual fatty acids, for groups of fatty acids and for the metabolic index (the ratio between the sum of n-6 polyunsaturates and linoleic acid). For the most relevant fatty acids, the association with maternal allergy was subsequently analyzed in more detail using multiple regression analysis. The metabolic index in breast milk was significantly lower in the allergic than in the non-allergic mothers, but no significant differences were observed in the concentrations of any of the n-6 fatty acids. Also concentrations of the n-3 fatty acids and nearly all other fatty acids were similar in allergic and non-allergic mothers' breast milk. No differences in fatty acid concentrations were observed between mothers with asthma and mothers with single or with multiple inhalant allergies. Our data suggest that differences in fatty acid composition between breast milk of allergic and non-allergic mothers are small and are unlikely to be responsible for the differential effects of breastfeeding by allergic and non-allergic mothers that have been observed in some studies.     

437例变态反应性疾病患儿血清特异性IgE抗体检测和分析

目的：了解长沙地区儿童变态反应性疾病的过敏原状况。方法：采用AllergyScreen过敏原定量检测系统检测437例变态反应性疾病患儿血清中总IgE和特异性IgE抗体水平。结果：总IgE阳性率为68.9%,特异性IgE阳性率为69.1%;常见过敏原为户尘螨粉尘螨、牛肉、羊肉、牛奶、猫狗毛皮屑。户尘螨粉尘螨阳性率在变应性鼻炎中最高,达86.0%,特应性皮炎次之,为41.2%,湿疹、荨麻疹相对较低,分别为27.6%,20.0%;猫狗毛皮屑在特应性皮炎、湿疹中相对较高,为23.5%和18.1%,在荨麻疹和变应性鼻炎中较低,为10.0%和8.7%;牛奶、牛肉、羊肉的阳性率在这4种过敏性疾病中均较高,但在4种过敏性疾病之间差别不明显。3岁以上吸入性过敏原阳性率明显高于3岁以下（P＜0.01）。结论：在长沙地区,过敏原对儿童变态反应性疾病有着重要影响,特别是户尘螨粉尘螨、猫狗毛皮屑、牛肉、羊肉、牛奶。［中国当代儿科杂志,2009,11（7）：543-545］     

变态反应性疾病儿童血浆肥大细胞羧肽酶和类糜蛋白酶含量的检测

目的：测定变态反应性疾病患儿血浆中肥大细胞羧肽酶和类糜蛋白酶的含量,评价其在变态反应性疾病诊断中的意义。方法：采用ELISA法检测59例变态反应性疾病儿童和53例健康儿童血浆中肥大细胞羧肽酶和类糜蛋白酶水平。结果：变态反应性疾病患儿血浆羧肽酶和类糜蛋白酶含量分别为1.089±0.752 ng/mL、0.905(0.375~2.318)ng/mL,显著高于健康儿童［0.593±0.380 ng/mL、0.454(0.097~1.077) ng/mL］,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05)。变态反应性疾病患儿血浆羧肽酶水平与类糜蛋白酶水平呈显著正相关(r=0.684,P<0.01)。结论：变态反应性疾病儿童血浆中肥大细胞羧肽酶和类糜蛋白酶水平增高,提示二者可作为变态反应性疾病的诊断的有意义的指标。     

Cis- and trans-isomeric fatty acids in plasma lipids of newborn infants and their mothers

The proportionate fatty acid composition of plasma lipids was determined by high-resolution gas-liquid chromatography in 30 pairs of mothers and their term infants at the time of birth. Trans-fatty acids were found at similar percentage levels in maternal and infantile plasma, evidence for the first time of their placental permeability. In umbilical plasma, linoleic and alpha-linolenic acids contributed markedly smaller portions to total fatty acids, in contrast to clearly higher proportions of their long-chain polyunsaturated metabolites (LCP). Significantly larger percentage values in cord than in maternal plasma were found for those LCP that are structural components of brain lipids, which may reflect a discriminating placental transport mechanism for certain physiologically important LCP.     

The composition of polyunsaturated fatty acids in erythrocytes of lactating mothers and their infants

Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) in breastmilk, specifically docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are important for infant brain development. Accretion of DHA in the infant brain is dependent on DHA-status, intake and metabolism. The aim of this study was to describe changes in maternal and infant erythrocyte (RBC) DHA-status during the first four months of lactation. We examined 17 mothers and their term infants at 1, 2 and 4 months of age. Milk samples and RBC from the mothers and infants were obtained and analysed for fatty acid composition. Comparative analysis of the results showed that the content of DHA in maternal RBC-phosphatidylcholine (PE) decreased over the four month period and this was not accompanied by a decrease in DHA in infant RBC-PE (P = 0.005). The ratio of n-6 PUFA to n-3 PUFA increased over time in maternal RBC-PE, but not in infant RBC-PE (P < 0.001). The level of 22:5n-6 and the ratio of LCPUFA to precursor PUFAs in infant RBC was higher than in maternal RBC phospholipids. (P = and P < 0.001 respectively). We found a decrease in the level of LCPUFA in milk, specifically AA. However, we did not observe a significant decrease in milk DHA, which may have been due to two outliers. These results indicate better DHA-status and a higher n-3/n-6 PUFA in RBC of infants than in mothers. Whether these differences reflect preferential n-3 PUFA transfer via breastmilk or differences in PUFA-metabolism and utilization remains to be shown.