Effects of Synbiotic Supplementation on Breast Milk Levels of IgA, TGF-beta 1, and TGF-beta 2

Abstract

Background: Effects of probiotics on the immunological composition of breast milk have been investigated in a few previous studies. Objectives: The aims of this study were to determine the effects of synbiotic (probiotic plus prebiotic) supplementation on immunoglobulin A (IgA), transforming growth factor 1 (TGF-1), and transforming growth factor 2 (TGF-2) levels of breast milk and on diarrhea incidence in infants. Methods: In this randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled trial, we recruited 80 lactating mothers who were exclusively breastfeeding their 3-month-old infants. We randomly divided the mothers into 2 groups to receive a daily synbiotic supplement (n = 40) or a placebo (n = 40) for 30 days. Demographic and clinical data (ie, health status) were obtained through an interview. The IgA levels of breast milk were detected by nephelometry, and the levels of TGF-1 and TGF-2 were measured using a commercial Platinum ELISA kit. Results: The breast milk IgA increased significantly from 0.41 0.09 to 0.48 +/- 0.15 g/L in the supplemented group (P = .018), while in the placebo group, no significant changes were observed. Although the breast milk TGF-1 levels did not change significantly, the TGF-2 levels of breast milk increased significantly from 270 +/- 37.8 to 382 +/- 43.7 pg/mL in the supplemented group (P = .043). Also, the incidence of diarrhea in infants decreased significantly in the supplemented group while no significant changes were observed in the placebo group after the experimental period. Conclusion: Synbiotic supplementation may have positive effects on the immune composition of breast milk and the reduction of diarrhea incidence in infants.