ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the levels of ghrelin, adiponectin, leptin and true insulin in human milk from mothers with and without gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), and to assess the effects of these parameters on infant growth. Methods Fifty-two GDM mothers and their healthy infants (GDM group) and 49 non-GDM mothers and their healthy infants (control group) were enrolled from Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital and Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2010 to August 2010. The levels of ghrelin, adiponectin, leptin and true insulin in colostrum and human milk 90 days postpartum (mature milk) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Infant weight, length and head circumference at birth and at 90 days old were measured. The two-sample t-test, sum-rank test and Spearman correlation analysis were used for statistical analysis. Results Compared with the control group, ghrelin was significantly lower in human milk from GDM mothers both in colostrum [136.7 (102.7-181.4) vs 175.4 (137.5-235.0) ng/L, t= -2.737] and mature milk [111.8 (77.5-184.2) vs 210.9 (147.3-381.9) ng/L, t= -3.268]. Adiponectin was also significantly lower in human milk from GDM mothers both in colostrum [21.7 (14.6-51.8) vs 57.0 (23.1-113.9)μg/L, t=-2.858] and mature milk [11.7 (8.4-14.4) vs 15.1 (11.9-18.5)μg/L, t=-2.625], however, true insulin level was higher in colostrum [22.8 (13.4-50.2) vs 20.4 (7.8-30.8) mU/L, t=-2.007] and mature milk [33.6 (22.5-54.1) vs 23.5 (13.5-31.6) mU/L, t=-2.009]. The differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). (2) In the colostrums of the GDM group, true insulin level was negatively associated with ghrelin (r=-0.342), but positively associated with adiponectin (r=0.305). In the control group, the level of true insulin in mature milk was positive associated with leptin in colostrums( r=0.456)and mature milk(r=0.629). The differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). (3) In the GDM group, adiponectin level in colostrum was negatively associated with neonatal birth weight (r= - 0.323, P=0.025); the leptin/adiponectin ratio was negatively associated with neonatal birth weight (r= -0.403, P=0.005) and head circumference (r= -0.327, P=0.039) at birth. Adiponectin level in mature milk was negatively associated with infant length 90 days postpartum (r=-0.406, P=0.040). In the control group, the leptin/adiponectin ratio in colostrum was negatively associated with neonatal head circumference at birth (r= -0.370, P=0.024). Adiponectin level in mature milk was positively associated with infant weight 90 days postpartum (r=0.432, P=0.007). Conclusion Women with GDM have different levels of ghrelin, adiponectin and true insulin in their milk from the normal controls, which may affect infant growth.
ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To understand adiponectin, leptin, insulin and ghrelin levels in preterm colostrum and mature milk and their influence on the growth and development of the premature infant.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The study subjects were divided into two groups: preterm group and control group. Specimens of colostrum and mature milk on 42nd day after delivery were collected, the general situation of maternal and infants growth parameters at birth and at postnatal 42 days were recorded. Leptin, adiponectin, insulin and ghrelin levels in colustrum and mature milk were determined and compared.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>A total of 128 mother-infant pairs were involved. There were 128 specimens of colostrums (80 from preterm group, 48 from control group) and 94 specimens of mature milk(50 from premature group, 44 from control group). The levels of colostrum, mature milk adiponectin, leptin, and insulin were not significantly different between the 2 groups; ghrelin levels in colostrum and mature milk of premature group were significantly lower than those in control group (P = 0.038), adiponectin and leptin levels in colostrum were higher than those of the mature milk (P < 0.05), colostrum ghrelin levels were lower than those of mature milk (P < 0.05). Adiponectin, leptin, and ghrelin showed no significant difference between different gestational age groups ( ≤ 34 weeks group vs. > 34 weeks group). True insulin level of mature milk in 34 weeks group was higher than that of > 34 weeks group (29.3 vs. 21.6 mU/L, P = 0.045); true insulin level in colostrums in ≤ 34 weeks group was lower than that in mature milk (21.7 vs. 29.3 mU/L, P = 0.000). Adiponectin levels in colostrum and 42 days weight gain were negatively correlated (r = -0.362, P = 0.025) . Insulin level in mature milk had a negative correlation with birth weight (r = -0.319, P = 0.029) . Ghrelin levels in colostrum and birth weight, length, head circumference, head circumference on 42(nd) day were positively correlated (r = 0.271,0.261,0.360, P < 0.05); weight, length at 42(nd) day and ghrelin levels showed borderline positive correlation (P = 0.050, 0.058).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Many bioactive hormones in milk might participate in the regulation of suitable growth after birth. Premature birth affects hormone levels in breast milk. Breast feeding is very important in preterm infants.</p>