Effect of human milk on blood and bone marrow cells in a malnourished mice model: comparative study with cow milk

GARCÍA DE OLIVA, ISABEL; SALVA, SUSANA; ZELAYA, HORTENSIA; VILLENA, JULIO; AGÜERO, GRACIELA

NUTRICIóN HOSPITALARIA

AULA MEDICA EDICIONES

Año: 2013 vol. 28 p. 2157 - 2164

0212-1611

Introduction It has been demonstrated that the alterations caused by nutrient deficiency can be reverted by adequate nutritional repletion. Objective To perform comparative studies between human and cow milks in order to evaluate the impact of both milks on the recovery of blood and bone marrow cells affected in malnourished mice. Method Weaned mice were malnourished after consuming a protein free diet for 21 days. Malnourished mice received cow or human milk (CM or HM) for 7 or 14 consecutive days. During the period of administration of milk, the mice consumed the protein free diet ad libitum. The malnourished control (MNC) group received only protein free diet whereas the well-nourished control (WNC) mice consumed the balanced conventional diet. Results and Discussion Both milks normalized serum albumin levels and improved thymus weight. Human milk was less effective than cow milk to increase body weight and serum transferrin levels. In contrast, human milk was more effective than cow milk to increase the number of leukocytes (WNC: 6.90±1.60a; MNC: 2.80±0.90b; CM 7d: 3.74±1.10b; HM 7d: 7.16±1.90a; CM 14d: 4.35±1.20b ; HM 14d: 6.75±1.20a (109/L); p<0.05) and lymphocytes (WNC: 5.80±0.36a; MNC: 1.80±0.40b; CM 7d: 2.50±0.30b; HM 7d: 4.20±0.50c; CM 14d: 3.30±0.31d; HM 14d: 4.70±0.28c (109/L); p<0.05) in peripheral blood. Both milks induced an increment in mitotic pool cells in bone marrow and α-naphthyl butyrate esterase positive cells in peripheral blood. They also normalized phagocytic function in blood neutrophils and oxidative burst in peritoneal cells. Conclusion Both milks were equally effective to exert favorable effects on the number of the bone marrow cells and the functions of the blood and peritoneal cells involved in immune response. However, only human milk normalized the number of leukocytes and increased the number of neutrophils in peripheral blood.