Abstract
Vitamin E (E) and beta-carotene (C) are 2 naturally occurring antioxidants and we have previously shown that C is 100x more potent an antioxidant than E (Ped. Res. 14:1013, 1980). In this study, we measured spectrophotometrically, the levels of E (mgs/dl) and C (ug/dl) in paired cord blood samples and maternal sera, in human breast milk and formula, and in 4 breast and 4 bottlefed infants.
RESULTS: There is a direct correlation (r=0.44, p<0.01) between maternal serum and cord blood levels of C, but not of E. Maternal serum is signif. (p<0.001) higher than cord blood in levels of C (125.2±46.6 vs 15.7±4.8) and E (0.94±0.17 vs 0.30±0.08). Likewise, the fullterm infant, as compared to the premature, has a higher level of C (17.4±4.2 vs 13.3±4.5, p<0.005), but not of E (0.31±0.09 vs 0.29±0.08). When compared to formula, breast milk, particularly first day colostrum, has very high levels of C (251±163 vs 4.2±0.5) and E (2.81±1.71 vs 1.03±0.06). Thus, breastfed infants show increasing serum conc. of C (Cord=15.9±4.4, Day 3=30.0±11.1, Day 6=66.2±29.0) and E (Cord=0.30±0.06, Day 3=0.61±0.29, Day 6=1.06±0.4) to levels that almost approximate those of the adult. In bottle fed infants, there was a rise in the serum level of E (Cord=0.30±0.06, Day 3=0.57±0.07) but not of C (Cord=14.0±4, 1, Day 3=13.3±5.3).
CONCLUSION: We have demonstrated that (1) breastmilk, particularly colostrum, is very rich in its content of antioxidants, particularly C, (2) the levels of C and E in the infant, particularly the premature, is very low compared to the adult. However, (3) breastfed infants attain levels of C and E that almost approach adult levels within 6 days of feeding. We therefore speculate whether, teleologically, Nature has intended to provide the infant through the breast milk with a rich supply of antioxidants (both vit. E and beta-carotene) to protect the infant from oxygen toxicity during its exposure after birth to an oxygen enriched environment?
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Qstrea, E., Balun, J. & Winkler, R. 616 SERUM LEVELS OF ANTIOXIDANTS IN BREASTFED VS BOTTLEFED INFANTS: A POSSIBLE ROLE OF BREAST MILK IN PROTECTING INFANTS AGAINST OXYGEN TOXICITY. Pediatr Res 15 (Suppl 4), 543 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198104001-00629
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198104001-00629
