lactoferrin and Nutrition-Disorders

Topics: Antibody Affinity; Bacterial Infections; Disease Susceptibility; Double-Blind Method; Energy Intake; Escherichia coli; Female; Food, Fortified; Guatemala; Humans; Immunoglobulin A, Secretory; Lactoferrin; Milk, Human; Nutrition Disorders; O Antigens; Pregnancy; Tetanus Toxoid

The level and avidity indices of specific antibodies against tetanus toxoid, Escherichia coli O6 and a pool of 10 common E. coli O antigens, as well as the concentration and daily output of lactoferrin and total secretory IgA (SIgA), were evaluated in the milk of moderately undernourished mothers who were in a random blind design divided into two groups and given different caloric supplementations. Group A received a high caloric supplement (500 kcal/d), and group B received a low caloric supplement (140 kcal/d). Determinations were done using ELISA in various modifications, except for lactoferrin, which was quantified by single radial immunodiffusion. The avidity indices were investigated as an evaluation of the antibody quality. In all the parameters evaluated, the only difference found between the two groups at the end of the supplementation period was in the content of total SIgA, which was lower in group B, both in concentration and daily output. However, the SIgA remained within the normal range. Increases as well as decreases in the levels of specific IgA antibodies occurred within both groups. Avidity was decreased in group B only against one of the antigens tested. We conclude that moderate undernutrition does not impair the levels of milk antibodies, and supplementation does not enhance them but prevents the decrease in the content of total milk SIgA. There is a suggestion that the avidity of certain antibody specificities could be hampered.

Topics: Antibodies, Bacterial; Antibody Affinity; Double-Blind Method; Energy Intake; Escherichia coli; Female; Food, Fortified; Guatemala; Humans; Immunoglobulin A; Immunoglobulin A, Secretory; Lactoferrin; Longitudinal Studies; Milk, Human; Nutrition Disorders; Tetanus Toxoid

The mechanisms by which Cryptosporidium parvum cause persistent diarrhea and increased morbidity and mortality are poorly understood. Three groups of Haitian children <18 months old were studied: case patients, children with diarrhea not due to Cryptosporidium, and healthy control subjects. Compared with both control groups, children with acute cryptosporidiosis were more malnourished (including measures of stunting [P=.03] and general malnutrition [P=.01]), vitamin A deficient (P=.04), and less often breast-fed (P=.04). Markers of a proinflammatory immune response, interleukin (IL)-8 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha receptor I, were significantly elevated in the case population (P=.02 and P<.01, respectively), as was fecal lactoferrin (P=.01) and the T helper (Th)-2 cytokine IL-13 (P=.03). The counterregulatory cytokine IL-10 was exclusively elevated in the case population (P<.01). A Th1 cytokine response to infection was not detected. This triple cohort study demonstrates that malnourished children with acute cryptosporidiosis mount inflammatory, Th-2, and counterregulatory intestinal immune responses.

Topics: Animals; Breast Feeding; Cohort Studies; Cryptosporidiosis; Cryptosporidium parvum; Developing Countries; Diarrhea; Feces; Haiti; Humans; Infant; Interleukin-10; Interleukin-13; Interleukin-8; Intestines; Lactoferrin; Nutrition Disorders; Prospective Studies; Proteins; TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 1; Urban Population; Vitamin A Deficiency

Topics: Apoproteins; Biological Transport; Blood Bactericidal Activity; Body Temperature; Candida albicans; Escherichia coli; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Iron; Lactoferrin; Membrane Proteins; Nutrition Disorders; Prognosis; Receptors, Cell Surface; Receptors, Transferrin; Transferrin

Levels of immunoglobulins, lactoferrin and lysozyme were determined in milk samples obtained from well-nourished and under-nourished Indian women at different stages of lactation. The concentration of immunoglobulins and lactoferrin was higher in colostrum than in mature milk while the lysozyme levels showed a progressive increase with the period of lactation. There were no significant differences in the levels between the two groups of women. Administration of iron did not alter either the total or percentage saturation of lactoferrin in milk. These results indicate that antibacterial factors in milk are not influenced by the nutritional status of the mother and that iron supplementation does not interfere with the bacteriostatic function of lactoferrin.. Lower incidences of infection among breastfed vs. bottlefed infants have been attributed, not only to bottle contamination, but to the presence of various antibacterial factors in breast milk. 3 of these factors, immunoglobulins, lysozyme, and lactoferrin, were quantitated from milk samples from well-nourished and under-nourished Indian women in various stages of lactation. An ancillary concern of this study was to determine whether iron supplementation in under-nourished lactating women might abolish the bacteriostatic mechanism of lactoferrin by altering its saturation in milk, thus interfering with its biological function. 250 women gave breast milk samples for study. In addition, 11 lactating women were given 200 mg of iron intramuscularly, and their milk samples were assayed. In the nonsupplemented women, the concentration of immunoglobulin A (IgA) was high in colostrum, with a mean level of 350 mg/100 ml, and fell rapidly during the first 4 weeks of lactation, to a mean level of 110 mg/100 ml. IgG concentration was slightly higher in colostrum than in mature milk. Lactoferrin concentration was very high in colostrum, with a mean level of 600 mg/100 ml, and fell progressively up to 5 months of lactation, stabilizing at a mean level of 180 mg/100 ml. Lysozyme content of colostrum was lower than that of mature milk and showed a progressive increase with duration of lactation; its highest level of 42 mg/100 ml was reached at 12 months. No significant differences in levels of immunoglobulins, lactoferrin, and lysozyme were found between well-nourished and under-nourished mothers. In women who received the iron supplements, at first the mean level of total lactoferrin was 240 mg/100 ml, 9% of which was saturated. No significant changes in concentrations of either total or saturated lactoferrin were found after administering the iron supplement.

Topics: Colostrum; Female; Hemoglobins; Humans; Immunoglobulin A; Immunoglobulin G; Immunoglobulin M; Immunoglobulins; Iron; Lactation; Lactoferrin; Lactoglobulins; Milk, Human; Muramidase; Nutrition Disorders; Pregnancy; Serum Albumin; Time Factors