Huang Zhi, Luo Shurong, Li Yuxin, Li Ziming, Yi Chuanzhu, Zhang Yan, Hu Yuming, Chen Bo
School of Medical Laboratory, Hunan University of Medicine, Jinxi Road No. 492, Huaihua 418000, China.
School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Hunan Normal University, Lu Mountain Road No. 286, Changsha 410081, China.
Nutrients. 2025 Apr 28;17(9):1480. doi: 10.3390/nu17091480.
Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) serve as critical bioactive components supporting infant growth and development. However, the influence of maternal metabolic factors during lactation on HMOs remains to be fully elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the association between maternal metabolic factors and HMOs, as well as the potential mediating effects of these factors. An observational cross-sectional study was conducted in Central South China, enrolling 196 lactating mothers. HMOs were quantified using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Maternal metabolic factors were assessed through physical examinations. Associations between metabolic factors and HMOs were analyzed using linear regression, and mediation effects were evaluated. HMOs from Central South China were predominantly composed of neutral fucosylated HMOs. Significant differences were observed in the levels of several HMOs across maternal age groups and lactation periods. The concentration of 3'-sialyllactose (3'-SL) exhibited a negative association with the pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) (β = -0.16, 95% CI: -0.29, -0.03; = 0.02), while a positive association was found with maternal heart rate (β = 0.14, 95% CI: 0.01, 0.27; = 0.04). However, these associations were different between secretor and non-secretor mothers. Associations of 3'-SL with pre-pregnancy BMI and maternal HR were only found in the secretor mothers. Triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol mediated the associations between maternal pre-pregnancy BMI and 3'-sialyllactose (3'-SL). The variations of several HMOs among mothers from Central South China were associated with maternal age and lactation period. The concentration of 3'-SL was negatively correlated with maternal pre-pregnancy BMI. The potential mechanism underlying the influence of maternal BMI on 3'-SL levels may involve maternal lipid metabolism and genetic factors.
人乳寡糖（HMOs）是支持婴儿生长发育的关键生物活性成分。然而，哺乳期母亲代谢因素对HMOs的影响仍有待充分阐明。本研究旨在探讨母亲代谢因素与HMOs之间的关联，以及这些因素的潜在中介作用。在中国中南地区进行了一项观察性横断面研究，招募了196名哺乳期母亲。使用液相色谱-串联质谱法定量HMOs。通过体格检查评估母亲的代谢因素。使用线性回归分析代谢因素与HMOs之间的关联，并评估中介作用。中国中南地区的HMOs主要由中性岩藻糖基化HMOs组成。在不同母亲年龄组和哺乳期的几种HMOs水平上观察到显著差异。3'-唾液酸乳糖（3'-SL）的浓度与孕前体重指数（BMI）呈负相关（β = -0.16，95%CI：-0.29，-0.03；P = 0.02），而与母亲心率呈正相关（β = 0.14，95%CI：0.01，0.27；P = 0.04）。然而，这些关联在分泌型和非分泌型母亲之间有所不同。3'-SL与孕前BMI和母亲心率的关联仅在分泌型母亲中发现。甘油三酯和低密度脂蛋白胆固醇介导了母亲孕前BMI与3'-唾液酸乳糖（3'-SL）之间的关联。中国中南地区母亲中几种HMOs的变化与母亲年龄和哺乳期有关。3'-SL的浓度与母亲孕前BMI呈负相关。母亲BMI对3'-SL水平影响的潜在机制可能涉及母亲的脂质代谢和遗传因素。
