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Coenzyme Q10 in maternal plasma and milk throughout early lactation
Author(s) -
Niklowitz Petra,
Menke Thomas,
Giffei JÖRg,
Andler Werner
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
biofactors
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.204
H-Index - 94
eISSN - 1872-8081
pISSN - 0951-6433
DOI - 10.1002/biof.5520250108
Subject(s) - lactation , coenzyme q10 , chemistry , endocrinology , medicine , breast milk , cholesterol , zoology , biology , biochemistry , pregnancy , genetics
In contrast to other lipophilic antioxidants Coenzyme Q10 originates from food intake as well as from endogenous synthesis. The CoQ10 concentration and lipid content of maternal milk and maternal plasma was investigated during early lactation. Breast milk was obtained from 23 women: A: colostrums (24–48 hours postpartum), B: transitional milk (day 7 pp), C: mature milk (day 14 pp). At the same time capillary blood specimens were collected. Milk and plasma were stored at −84°C until CoQ10 was analysed after hexane extraction by HPLC. The lipid content was determined by PAP‐analysis of cholesterol. The plasma content of CoQ10 was the highest soon after delivery (A: 1.29, B:1.20, C:1.07 pmol/μl; Wilcoxon p<0.05 A vs. C and B vs. C). This tendency was still evident after lipid‐adjustment (A:209, B:180, C:175 μmol CoQ10/mol cholesterol; Wilcoxon p<0.01 A vs. B and C). The level of CoQ10 in milk showed a gradual decline during early lactation (A:0.80, B:0.57, C:0.44 pmol/μl; Wilcoxon p<0.02 A vs. B and C). After lipid‐adjustment this tendency became even more evident (A: 137, B:86, C:67 μmol CoQ10/mol cholesterol; Wilcoxon p<0.002 A vs. B and C, p<0.05 B vs. C). The content of CoQ10 in plasma and milk showed a correlation with early milk (Spearman p<0.005) but not with mature milk. Although lipid content is low the colostrums is a rich source for the lipophilic antioxidant CoQ10.