Human milk metabolome is associated with symptoms of maternal psychological distress and milk cortisol
: Kortesniemi Maaria, Slupsky Carolyn M., Aatsinki Anna-Katariina, Sinkkonen Jari, Karlsson Linnea, Linderborg Kaisa M., Yang Baoru, Karlsson Hasse, Kailanto Henna-Maria
Publisher: Elsevier
: 2021
: Food Chemistry
: 129628
: 356
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2021.129628
: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308814621006348
: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/Publication/53426640
The composition of human milk is subject to considerable
variation, but the effects of maternal stress are largely unknown. We
studied differences in human milk metabolome between Finnish mothers (n = 120,
secretors) with symptoms of prenatal symptoms of psychological distress
and milk cortisol concentrations. Human milk samples acquired at
2.5 months postpartum were analyzed using targeted 1H NMR metabolomics.
Self-reported scores for depression (EPDS), overall anxiety (SCL-90),
and pregnancy-related anxiety (PRAQ) were used to evaluate psychological
distress. Prenatal psychological distress was positively associated
with concentrations of short-chain fatty acids, caprate, and
hypoxanthine (q < 0.0012). Milk cortisol was positively associated with lactate concentration (q < 0.05).
Changes in the human milk metabolome were shown to be associated with
maternal psychological distress and concentration of milk cortisol in a
dissimilarly, suggesting alterations in bacterial and energy metabolism
of the mother, respectively.
