Thymosin α1 in Milk Specimens from Guatemalan Women |
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| Authors: | J. R. CRUZ P. H. NAYLOR A. L. GOLDSTEIN |
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| Affiliation: | Program on Infection, Nutrition and Immunology, Division of Nutrition and Health, Institute of Nutrition of Central America and Panama, Guatemala, Guatemala;Department of Biochemistry The George Washington University, School of Medicine, Washington, D.C., USA |
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| Abstract: | ABSTRACT. Thymosin α1 was determined in milk samples obtained from 67 Guatemalan women 5 days, and 1–3 and 6–18 months postpartum. All the specimens collected 5 days after delivery contained measurable levels (583 ± 304 pg/ml) of thymosin α, but only 33 % of those obtained 1–3 months postpartum and none collected thereafter did. Since thymosin α1 has been shown to increase T-cell mediated immunity, and to enhance host resistance to infection, it may play an important role in the maturation of mucosal immunity and host resistance in general in the neonate. This study is the first to document the presence of a thymic hormone in early postpartum milk. |
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| Keywords: | thymosin α1 intestinal immunity breast milk |
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