Induction of anti-secretory factor in human milk may prevent mastitis

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the study was to try to induce anti-secretory factor (AF) in human milk and possibly prevent mastitis.

Methods: Forty mothers who had normal deliveries and healthy full-term infants were randomly divided into two groups, 3-7 days postpartum. The experimental group received a food inducing AF. The control group received the same type of food, without AF-inducing properties. Milk was tested for AF after the mothers had eaten the cereals for 4-5 wk. AF was determined by intravenous injection of milk samples into rats measuring their capacity to prevent secretion into a gut loop of the rat injected with cholera toxin.

Results: The median levels of AF differed between the experimental (n = 12) and control groups (n = 16): 1.1 (0.7-1.25) units vs 0.1 (0.0-0.25) units, Z = -4.492, p < 0.0001 (11 mothers dropped out and one milk sample is missing from one of the control mothers). The frequency of mastitis in the experimental compared with the control group was reduced (p = 0.0086, permutation test). The median AF levels in mothers with or without mastitis differed; 0.0 (0.0-0.1) vs 0.5 (0.2-1.1), Z = -2.399, p = 0.017.

Conclusion: We suggest a specially treated cereal induces AF in human milk and protects against clinically manifested mastitis.