Origin and the Possible Effects in Health and Disease - Term Paper Example

The Human Milk Microbiota: Origin and the Possible Effects in Health and Disease The Human Milk Micro-biota: Sources and the Possible Effects in Health and Disease Introduction The human milk has always been considered to be a sterile and important element for the metabolism and immunity in infants due to the many functional nutrients it contains. These nutrients further aid in a healthy development of an infant’s gut and consequently its maturation. Research has also shown that breast milk contains regulatory cytokines, lactoferrin and oligosaccharides amongst other nutrients. These have been reported to promote the growth of advantageous bacteria. However, breast milk can also comprise of microbes that might harm an infant during its early ages of gut maturation despite being the key source of nutrients. It has also been established that breast milk transfers strains of bacteria belonging to Bifidobacterium, Staphylococcus and Enterococcus genera. Without the consideration of other sources of such bacteria, the human breast milk is in itself a cause for the same (Neu, 2011). Rich supply of the phylotypes has been considered to have the capacity to bring favorable effects to infants especially against ailments associated with diarrhea and respiratory system. It has also in addition to this suggested that the high number of the bacterial phylotypes could reduce the risks against infections such as obesity and diabetes (Musilova, Rada, Vlkova & Bunesova, 2014). The Human Milk Micro-biota: Sources and the Possible Effects in Health and Disease Scientific research shows that some bacteria existing in maternal guts could also be transferred to the breast milk in the latter periods of pregnancy in mothers and during lactation. This is through a process characterized by gut monocytes. It is consequently important to consider that during the latter stages of pregnancy or in the course lactation period, the alteration of the maternal microbiota system could be very significant in an infant’s health. Mammary dysbacteriosis, a condition of microbial imbalance, could lead to inflammation of the breast, hence causing mastitis. Such a condition could prompt for unanticipated weaning. One of the possible causes of microbes in breast milk has been discovered to be the reversed flow into the mammary ducts during suckling by infants during breastfeeding. Such a discovery mainly considers that the main cause of such type of infection is the infant’s mouth. A significant amount of bacterial phylotypes usually found on human skin have also been shown to exist in breast milk. These include Propionibacteria and certain phylotypes of Corynebacteria. Consequently, the probability that the composition of breast milk microbiota could also be a factor for the interactions with the maternal skin. Studies, however, have shown a difference in the genotypic variations between isolated lactobacilli present in the skin to that in the breast milk. The discovery has therefore led to the assertions of the unlikeliness of the speculation. It has however been shown that there exists a possibility that through the endogenous pathway, bacteria could reach the mammary glands from the maternal gut (Milk modulates the microbiota, 2012). Another way through which microbiota may find its way into the breast milk has been found to be through the lymphatic system. The system refers to a pathway throughout the body, which is used in the transport of lymphatic fluid in a human body. The lymphatic system is also the main highway through which immune cells are transferred in the body. Evidence has been shown that confirms that dendrite cells have the capability to retain given amounts of bacteria for the extended period in the lymph nodes. The bacteria kept hold of the can then distribute themselves to the rest of the body as a result of lymphocyte circulation within the lymphoid system. In turn, the cells, which are then antigen-stimulated, can move to occupy other surfaces such as the mammary gland from the mucosal surfaces of the intestines. Research has also shown that different microbial populations are guided by variations of environments and genetics. An example would be an infant’s gut being considered as such a system that offers a complicated dimension of these factors. The host for that matter determines the conditions necessary for the microbes to thrive. Based on this phenomenon, it has been suggested that the ability for diseases to result in an infant is variant. Another approach to the subject is that most infectious bacteria find their way into the milk as a result of oral microbiomes. Research has indicated that the human body contains numerous pathogens. For example, the mouth harbors many microbiomes such as protozoans, viruses and bacteria. The oral cavity in fact contains several specific regions that can contain microbes such as the tongue, cheeks, lips and the hard palate. The oral cavity forms an important aspect of entry of food substances into the body. For instance, ingested food substances often mix with saliva before entry into the body. Since the oral cavity hosts numerous viruses that could potentially harm a person, the effect is magnified in infants as they have the weakest immune systems (Jost, Lacroix, Braegger & Chassard, 2015). Breastfeeding has also been regarded as one of the major causes of HIV infection in infants all over the world. However, research has determined that it is not all infants who are exposed to the virus usually get infected. The fact that in spite of infant’s repetitive oral contact and the gastrointestinal surfaces exposure to the virus having no infection results have resulted in breast milk being regarded to be both a transmission course and as a method of protection of infants against infection. Most of the infections that occur in this manner are witnessed in developing countries since breastfeeding offers the best method for provision of nutrition and protection from mortality as a result of diarrheal infections and respiratory complications in the countries. Recommendations for breastfeeding, therefore, have been provided to women infected with HIV as to breastfeed for the first six months of infants’ lives in case no alternatives are present. Such kinds of provisions may mean that the women are offered means of achieving a decrease in transmission of the HIV to their infants. Research has indicated the success in prevention of HIV by exclusive breastfeeding in infected women while mixed breastfeeding has however indicated an increased risk of transmission (Fernández et al., 2013). Several functions and health benefits have been found to exist as a result of the human milk provision to the infant due to the microbiota present. For instance, a decrease in the incidences and seriousness in infections can be achieved through various ways. Specifically, these include competitive exclusion or improved infant’s gut as a barrier to toxins by enhancing of mucin production. The antimicrobial compound production can also be enhanced. Recent research conducted on infants by the admission of a strain of Lactobacillus that is usually found in human milk was found to lead to a tremendous decrease in infections such as gastrointestinal and respiratory. Research has also shown that the bacteria found in breast milk can also effectively aid in an infant’s immune system development. The human breast milk has also been credited for having a significant role in infants’ metabolisms. For such reason, isolation of glycobiomes from some bacteria has been done by some scientists to aid in the creation of healthy microbes in infants. The core foundation of this is the consideration that this might improve digestion since infant digestion tracks are shorter and hence have higher pH levels compared to adults (Bier, German & Lönnerdal, 2008). Conclusion There exist some ways through which microbiota gets its way into maternal breast milk. Through breast milk, however, an infant can be provided with essential bacteria that would aid in its development. Several studies have been conducted to determine the relationship of the microbiota present in the breast milk to the health of an infant. It has been determined that in as much as some of the bacteria present in the breast milk could cause harmful effects on an infant, the overall effect is positive and are therefore of great value. References Bier, D., German, J., & Lönnerdal, B. (2008). Personalized nutrition for the diverse needs of infants and children. Basel: Karger. Fernández, L., Langa, S., Mart, V., Maldonado, A., Jimnez, E., Martin, R., & Rodrguez, J. (2013). The human milk microbiota: Origin and potential roles in health and disease. Pharmacological Research, 69(1), 1-10. Jost, T., Lacroix, C., Braegger, C., & Chassard, C. (2015). Impact of human milk bacteria and oligosaccharides on neonatal gut microbiota establishment and gut health. Nutrition Reviews, 73(7), 426-437. Milk modulates the microbiota. (2012). Nature Medicine, 18(8), 1186-1187. Musilova, S., Rada, V., Vlkova, E., & Bunesova, V. (2014). Beneficial effects of human milk oligosaccharides on gut microbiota. Beneficial Microbes, 5(3), 273-283. Neu, J. (2011). Human milk glycobiome and its impact on the infant gastrointestinal microbiota. Yearbook of Neonatal and Perinatal Medicine, 2011, 114-115. Read More