Omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation in pregnancy and lactation and immune components in breast milk

• Human milk transfers important immunological information from mother to child. We have previously reported lower prevalence of IgE-mediated disease at 12 months after maternal supplementation with ω-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA) during pregnancy and lactation. Our aim was to explore the effect of ω-3 LCPUFA on the immune composition of human milk in relation to maternal atopy and allergic disease in the offspring. Pregnant women in families with a history of allergic disease were supplemented daily with 2.7 g ω-3 LCPUFA or 2.8 g soybean oil as placebo from late pregnancy to three months of lactation. Milk samples from colostrum (n=107), at 1 mo (n=102) and at 3 mo (n=95) were analyzed for IL-1ß, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, CXCL-8, IL-10, IL-12p40/p70, IL-13, GM-CSF, TNF, IFN-γ, PGE2, TSLP, TGF-ß2 and SIgA with multiplex assay or ELISA. The levels of several cytokines were higher in non-atopic ω-3 supplemented mothers as compared to placebo supplemented mothers regardless of atopic status. Higher levels of TGFß2 and SIgA in 3 months milk were associated with allergic disease at one year of age both with and without detectable IgE. These results suggest that ω-3 LCPUFA supplementation during pregnancy influences cytokine levels in breast milk especially in non-atopic mothers.

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