Effects of A1-type β-casein protein free bovine milk on mothers and infants: a randomized double-blind controlled trial
10.3760/cma.j.cn113903-20250127-00051
- VernacularTitle:不含A1型β-酪蛋白的牛乳对母婴的影响：随机双盲对照试验
- Author:
Fan YANG
1
;
Yi SUN
;
Zhixu WANG
Author Information
1. 四川大学华西第二医院儿科，成都 610041
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
A1-type β-casein protein;
Bovine milk;
Breastfeeding;
Gastrointestinal symptoms;
Quality of life
- From:
Chinese Journal of Perinatal Medicine
2025;28(7):542-557
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To investigate the effects of maternal consumption of A1-type β-casein protein free (A1PF) bovine milk during lactation on breast milk composition and gastrointestinal health in term breastfeeding mother-infant dyads.Methods:This two-arm, double-blind, randomized controlled pilot study was conducted at Jinhua Wenrong Hospital and Qiubin community health center (Wucheng district, Jinhua) from June 13 to August 17, 2023. Participants were randomly assigned to the A1PF group (A1PF milk, 25 dyads of term) or control group (regular milk, 25 dyads of term). Mothers consumed 200 ml of assigned milk twice daily for 14 days. Breast milk composition, maternal gastrointestinal health, and their effects on gastrointestinal health and crying-sleep patterns of infants were analyzed at baseline, day 1, and day 14. Statistical analyses included independent t-test, paired t-test, Mann-Whitney U, Wilcoxon signed-rank, and Fisher's exact tests. Results:Calcium [A1PF group: (1.68±0.26), (1.78±0.24), and (2.17±0.21) mmol/L, F=8.62; control: (1.75±0.26), (1.79±0.31), and (2.05±0.31) mmol/L, F=4.69] and iron concentrations [A1PF group: (1.19±0.31), (1.26±0.28), and (1.79±0.27) μg/ml, F=7.85; control: (1.09±0.41), (1.16±0.31), and (1.38±0.31) μg/ml, F=3.87] increased significantly over time in both groups (all P<0.001). At day 14, A1PF group showed higher breast milk iron and zinc levels [(24.72±5.15) vs. (21.56±3.82) μmol/L] versus control ( t=4.23 and 2.31; both P<0.05). Maternal biomarkers in A1PF group exhibited reduced salivary levels of interleukin-4 [480.89 (457.20-509.50) vs. 526.34 (475.03-561.97) ng/L; Z=－2.25], interleukin-6 [19.27 (18.83-21.47) vs. 21.75 (20.15-23.29) ng/L; Z=－3.50], immunoglobulin A [15.18 (14.62-16.59) vs. 16.72 (15.02-17.64) μg/ml; Z=－2.27], immunoglobulin E [3.95 (3.81-4.33) vs. 4.43 (4.16-4.57) μg/ml; Z=－2.91], elevated salivary glutathione [(97.07±5.84) vs. (93.30±6.94) ng/L; t=2.02], and increased fecal short-chain fatty acids [568.50 (452.74-795.26) vs. 371.22 (288.32-556.07) μg/ml; Z=2.18] on day 14 (all P<0.05). Corresponding improvements occurred in breastfed infant salivary/fecal biomarkers. No significant differences in crying or sleep patterns were observed (all P>0.05). Conclusions:Compared to regular milk, A1PF milk consumption reduces maternal gastrointestinal/systemic inflammation and improves gastrointestinal symptoms among term mothers, with benefits extending to breastfed infants. However, a large multi-centered clinical trial is required to confirm this conclusion.
