Abstract

Introduction

Materials & Methods

Results

Discussion & Conclusion

References

Discussion
Board

The role of milk fat globule membrane is still largely elusive, despite the large body of knowledge concerning its exact peculiar histochemical and biochemical structures. From a number of recent studies, it appears to belong to the same category as those of a number of immunological and non-immunological components in the human breast-milk, which contribute to the anti-microbial functions of the breast-milk, obviously essential as one of the mechanisms by which breast-feeding protects the nursing infants. It is already known that MFGM has the ability to adhere to some pathogenic micro-organismms, thereby preventing their attachment to the mucosal membrane to establish an infection. The possible involvement and interaction with the secretory complement system components of HBM were examined in this study. The results show that the presence of activated C fragments enhances the sequestration of suspended bacteria by MFGM. The studies show evidence for the central role of milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) in its interaction both with the Complement system and the pathogenic organisms, thereby contributing significantly to the antibacterial effects of human breast-milk. The implication of these findings and the need for further studies into the nature and mechanisms of these interactions are discussed.

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Poster Number PAogundele0176
Keywords: Complement system, bacteriolysis, human breast-milk, infection, milk fat globule