Content of beta-casomorphins in milk of women with a history of allergy

Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2008 Nov;19(7):587-91. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-3038.2007.00711.x. Epub 2008 Jan 16.

Abstract

The prevalence of food allergies increased over the past decade. Most symptoms of food allergy appear during the first 2 yr of life. The aim of this study was to determine the beta-casomorphin-5 and -7 (BCMs) in colostrum and milk of 12 breast-feeding women with a history and clinical manifestation of food allergy. The results were compared with the data obtained from a control group of healthy age-matched breast-feeding women. The level of BCM in women with food allergy was constant during lactation, whereas the highest level of opioid peptides was found in colostrums of healthy women with a subsequent rapid decrease in mature milk. These differences in BCMs profile between allergic and healthy breast-feeding women suggest that BCM content in the human milk may be an indicator of allergic conditions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Breast Feeding
  • Colostrum / chemistry
  • Colostrum / immunology*
  • Endorphins / analysis*
  • Endorphins / immunology
  • Endorphins / isolation & purification
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Milk Hypersensitivity / immunology*
  • Milk, Human / chemistry*
  • Milk, Human / immunology
  • Pregnancy

Substances

  • Endorphins
  • beta-casomorphins