Effect of non-suckling on the pH of breast milk and its possible relationship with breast cancer

Predicting Maternal and Infant Tetrahydrocannabinol Exposure in Lactating Cannabis Users: A Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Modeling Approach

A knowledge gap exists in infant tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) data to guide breastfeeding recommendations for mothers who use cannabis. In the present study, a paired lactation and infant physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model was developed and verified. The verified model was used to simulate one hundred virtual lactating mothers (mean age: 28 years, body weight: 78 kg) who smoked 0.32 g of cannabis containing 14.14% THC, either once or multiple times. The simulated breastfeeding conditions included one-hour post smoking and subsequently every three hours. The mean peak concentration (Cmax) and area under the concentration-time curve (AUC(0-24 h)) for breastmilk were higher than in plasma (Cmax: 155 vs. 69.9 ng/mL; AUC(0-24 h): 924.9 vs. 273.4 ng·hr/mL) with a milk-to-plasma AUC ratio of 3.3. The predicted relative infant dose ranged from 0.34% to 0.88% for infants consuming THC-containing breastmilk between birth and 12 months. However, the mother-to-infant plasma AUC(0-24 h) ratio increased up to three-fold (3.4-3.6) with increased maternal cannabis smoking up to six times. Our study demonstrated the successful development and application of a lactation and infant PBPK model for exploring THC exposure in infants, and the results can potentially inform breastfeeding recommendations.

The thesis of the alkaline milieu in oncology: a review

An alkaline milieu is a common factor in some carcinomas of the oropharynx and oesophagus, the stomach, the bronchus, the cervix and the large bowel. The hypothesis is advanced that a change to an alkaline pH enhances the mitotic activity of mucous cells and that this change can be often avoided by alterations in diet and habit.

Epidemiological and biochemical support for a theory on the cause and prevention of breast cancer

Damage to the breast epithelium by chemical carcinogens as products of oxygen free radical release can lead to fibroblast proliferation, hyperplasia of epithelium, cellular atypia and breast cancer. Chemical carcinogens may accumulate in breast fluid in the non-lactating breast consequent to superoxide free radical production which occurs via the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) hypoxanthine pathway. This pathway is initiated by hypoxia of local tissue. Under hypoxic conditions ATP is broken down to form hypoxanthine. Hypoxanthine itself is broken down to produce xanthine and then uric acid. This results in the production of superoxide free radicals, the products of which are carcinogenic. The development of localized hypoxia, which is central to this hypothesis, is caused by acinal gland distention from fluid secreted by raised prolactin levels in the absence of oxytocin. Stimulation of the nipple in a non-lactating breast may raise plasma oxytocin and lower plasma prolactin levels. Contraction of the myoepithelial cells of the breast under the influence of oxytocin would relieve distention of the acinal glands and thus reduce hypoxia and the generation of lipid peroxidoses as products of free radical damage. The epidemiology of breast fibrosis and cancer support the notion that lack of nipple stimulation over time may be a significant variable. A review of this literature linked with current biochemical work on fibrosis and carcinogenesis suggest that draining the breasts of the products of superoxide free-radical release by the encouragement of regular nipple erections may prevent such breast disease.

Faecal Urobilinogen Levels and pH of Stools in Population Groups with Different Incidence of Cancer of the Colon, and Their Possible Role in its Aetiology

Mean faecal urobilinogen levels and the pH of stools were both found to be higher in subjects from a population group at high risk of developing cancer of the colon than in subjects matched for age, sex and socioeconomic status from a low-risk population group. An alkaline reaction of the colon contents seems to have a tumorigenic effect by a direct action on the mucus of the mucous cells. An acidic reaction, on the other hand, appears to be protective. These differences are dependent on the patterns of diet and manner of eating. Proper mastication of food, roughage, cellulose and vegetable fibre, and short-chain fatty acids of milk and fermented milk products in the diet appear to be protective.