Document Type : Original Article(s)

Authors

• Mohammad Khalili ¹
• A Djazayeri ²
• Shahnaz Khaghani ³
• Abbas Rahimi ⁴
• Ahmadreza Dorosty ⁵
• Zahra Paknajhad ⁶
• Maryam Chamary ¹

¹ M.Sc., Nutritionist, Tehran University of Medical Sciences.

² Ph.D., Associate Professor of Biochemistry, Biochemistry Department, Tehran University of Medical Sciences.

³ Ph.D., Nutritionist, Tehran University of Medical Sciences.

⁴ Ph.D., Associate Professor of Biostatics, Biostatics Department, Tehran University of Medical Sciences.

⁵ Ph.D., Associate Professor, Nutrition Department, Tehran University of Medical Sciences.

⁶ Ph.D., Associate Professor, Biochemistry Department, Tehran University of Medical Sciences.

Abstract

AbstractINTRODUCTION: Leptin, the product of the obese gene (ob), is synthesized by adiposetissue and contributes to the regulation of energy homeostasis and food intake. Recently,immunoreactive leptin was reported to be present in human milk. The aim of this studywas to determine any possible link between breast milk leptin concentrations andadiposity in exclusively breast-fed infants.METHODS: 130 healthy, exclusively breast-fed infants beyond neonatal period andtheir mothers were included in the study. Infants whose weight for age was above the75th, and between 25th and 75th percentiles were defined as obese (n=65) and non-obese(n=65), respectively. Anthropometric measur ements of infants and mothers were alsomade and breast milk samples were analyzed for leptin.RESULTS: There was no significant difference between breast milk leptinconcentrations of mothers of obese and non-obese infants. Breast milk leptinconcentrations significantly correlated with mothers' body mass index (r=0.54, P<0.001)and weight (r=0.46, P<0.001). There was no significant correlation between breast milkleptin concentrations and weight of infants.CONCLUSIONS: Leptin concentrations of human milk are not different in the mothers ofobese and non-obese infants. Our findings suggest that milk-borne leptin has nosignificant effect on adiposity during infancy.Key Words: Breast milk, leptin, infant, adiposity.