Abstract
Cow's milk proteins and ovalbumin have been recently identified in human breast milk(1). The aim of this investigation was to determine whether wheat gliadin is also present in human milk. Following the ingestion of a test meal of 20 g gluten, samples of breast milk were collected from 53 women at various stage of lactation.
Gliadin was assessed by a double-antibody sandwich ELISA and 5 ng/ml or more could be measured in this way. Despite the presence of specific antibodies, prechallenge milk did not inhibit significantly the ELISA.
After ingestion, gliadin was detected in breast milk from 41/53 women at 1 week after delivery, 8/17 at 6 weeks, 3/6 at 3 months and 2/4 at 5 months. The gliadin concentration ranged from 5 to 95ng/ml. Maximum levels in breast milk were found 2-4 hours after ingestion; however, gliadin could not be detected simultaneously in serum.
The transfer of gliadin from mother to child early in his life might be critical for the development in later life of an appropriate specific immune response.
1)Kilshaw P.J.:Int.Archs Allergy appl.Immun. 75, 8-15,1984.
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Troncone, R., Scarcella, A., Donatiello, A. et al. PASSAGE OF GLIADIN INTO HUMAN BREAST MILK. Pediatr Res 20, 696 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198607000-00068
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198607000-00068