Influence of gestational diabetes mellitus on fatty acid concentrations in human colostrum

• Published in: Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif.) Vol. 36; pp. 17 - 21
• Main Authors: Azulay Chertok, Ilana R., PhD, MSN, IBCLC, Haile, Zelalem T., PhD, MPH, Eventov-Friedman, Smadar, MD, Silanikove, Nissim, PhD, Argov-Argaman, Nurit, PhD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.04.2017; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Arachidonic Acid - analysis; Autoimmune diseases; Babies; Blood Glucose - metabolism; Body Mass Index; Breastfeeding; Breastfeeding & lactation; Case-Control Studies; Chromatography, Gas; Collection; Colostrum; Colostrum - chemistry; Control methods; Diabetes; Diabetes mellitus; Diabetes, Gestational - metabolism; Enzymes; Fatty acids; Fatty Acids - analysis; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 - analysis; Fatty Acids, Omega-6 - analysis; Female; gamma-Linolenic Acid - analysis; Gas chromatography; Gastroenterology and Hepatology; Gestational diabetes; Gestational diabetes mellitus pregnancy; Glucose; Homeostasis; Humans; Immunology; Insulin; Laboratories; Lipids; Metabolism; Metabolites; Pilot Projects; Postpartum Period; Pregnancy; Prospective Studies; Pregnancy; Gestational diabetes mellitus; Fatty Acids; Colostrum; Breastfeeding; Fatty acids; Gestational diabetes mellitus pregnancy
• ISSN: 0899-9007; 1873-1244
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nut.2016.12.001

Abstract Objective A primary study objective was to examine differences in fatty acid concentrations in colostrum of women with and without GDM. The effect of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) on fatty acid composition of colostrum is not fully understood, although rates of GDM are increasing globally. Research Methods & Procedures: A prospective case-control study was conducted of postpartum women with and without GDM. Gas chromatographic analysis was conducted to examine differences in colostral fatty acids of the colostrum samples of 29 women with GDM and 34 without GDM. Results Analyses of the fatty acid composition revealed significantly higher concentrations of 4 essential omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids: gamma linolenic, eicosatrienoic, arachidonic, and docosatetraenoic, in the colostrum of GDM women compared to non-GDM women. Timing of collection influenced saturated-medium chain fatty acid and monounsaturated fatty acid levels. Conclusions Differences in concentrations of omega-6 fatty acids but not in dietary linoleic fatty acid or omega-3 fatty acids suggest that altered concentrations are attributed to changes in specific endogenous metabolic pathways. Implications of higher concentrations of omega-6 fatty acids in the colostrum of women with GDM have yet to be determined. Timing of colostrum collection is critical in determining colostral fatty acid and metabolite concentrations.