Transforming growth factor beta in human milk does not change in response to modest intakes of docosahexaenoic acid

• Published in: Lipids Vol. 36; no. 10; pp. 1179 - 1181
• Main Authors: Hawkes, J. S., Bryan, D‐L., Neumann, M. A., Makrides, M., Gibson, R. A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer‐Verlag 01.10.2001; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Animals; Diet; Dietary Fats, Unsaturated - administration & dosage; Dietary Supplements; Docosahexaenoic Acids - administration & dosage; Docosahexaenoic Acids - analysis; Docosahexaenoic Acids - blood; Double-Blind Method; Fatty acids; Female; Fish Oils - administration & dosage; Humans; Milk, Human - metabolism; Nutrition; Placebos; Prospective Studies; Transforming Growth Factor beta - analysis; Transforming Growth Factor beta - metabolism; Transforming Growth Factor beta1; Transforming Growth Factor beta2; Tuna
• ISSN: 0024-4201; 1558-9307
• DOI: 10.1007/s11745-001-0830-5

Long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids have been associated with aspects of immune regulation including cytokine production. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of maternal dietary supplementation with tuna oil, rich in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), on the concentration of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFβ1) and TGFβ2 in breast milk. In this randomized, dietary intervention trial, mothers of term infants consumed a daily supplement of 2000 mg oil containing either placebo (n=40), 300 mg DHA (n=40), or 600 mg DHA (n=40). The DHA increase in milk and plasma was proportional to dietary DHA. There was no relationship between milk DHA status and TGFβ1 and TGFβ2 levels.