Caffeine, Paraxanthine, Theophylline, and Theobromine Content in Human Milk

Plasma proteometabolome in lung cancer: exploring biomarkers through bidirectional Mendelian randomization and colocalization analysis

Unlike other cancers with widespread screening (breast, colorectal, cervical, prostate, and skin), lung nodule biopsies for positive screenings have higher morbidity with clinical complications. Development of non-invasive diagnostic biomarkers could thereby significantly enhance lung cancer management for at-risk patients. Here, we leverage Mendelian Randomization (MR) to investigate the plasma proteome and metabolome for potential biomarkers relevant to lung cancer. Utilizing bidirectional MR and co-localization analyses, we identify novel associations, highlighting inverse relationships between plasma proteins SFTPB and KDELC2 in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and positive associations of TCL1A with lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) and CNTN1 with small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Additionally, our work reveals significant negative correlations between metabolites such as theobromine and paraxanthine, along with paraxanthine-related ratios, in both LUAD and LUSC. Conversely, positive correlations are found in caffeine/paraxanthine and arachidonate (20:4n6)/paraxanthine ratios with these cancer types. Through single-cell sequencing data of normal lung tissue, we further explore the role of lung tissue-specific protein SFTPB in carcinogenesis. These findings offer new insights into lung cancer etiology, potentially guiding the development of diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic approaches.

Oral Health and Nutraceutical Agents

Oral health is essential for both overall health and quality of life. The mouth is a window into the body's health, and nutrition can strongly impact the state of general and oral health. A healthy diet involves the synergistic effect of various nutraceutical agents, potentially capable of conferring protective actions against some inflammatory and chronic-degenerative disorders. Nutraceuticals, mostly present in plant-derived products, present multiple potential clinical, preventive, and therapeutic benefits. Accordingly, preclinical and epidemiological studies suggested a protective role for these compounds, but their real preventive and therapeutic effects in humans still await confirmation. Available evidence suggests that plant extracts are more effective than individual constituents because they contain different phytochemicals with multiple pharmacological targets and additive/synergistic effects, maximizing the benefits for oral health. Moreover, nutritional recommendations for oral health should be personalized and aligned with valid suggestions for overall health. This review is aimed to: introduce the basic concepts of nutraceuticals, including their main food sources; examine the logic that supports their relationship with oral health, and summarize and critically discuss clinical trials testing the utility of nutraceuticals in the prevention and treatment of oral diseases.

Caffeine Concentrations in Human Milk Donated to a Human Milk Bank in Japan

BACKGROUND

Human milk banks have been established to provide human milk to preterm infants who are unable to obtain milk from their mothers. Donor screening methods vary, and prospective donors are commonly screened for drug and recreational substance use through behavioral screening. Although the risk of illegal drug consumption in Japan is extremely low, caffeine may be consumed unknowingly and can be found in human milk. To date, only a few reports have been conducted on the concentration of caffeine in donor milk.

RESEARCH AIM

This study aimed to examine the pre-pasteurization levels of caffeine in human milk donated to a milk bank in Japan.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional, observational study of caffeine concentrations in human milk donated to a human milk bank in Japan. Caffeine concentration in the donor milk was measured using high-performance liquid chromatography.

RESULTS

Caffeine was detected in 70% of the donor milk samples (N = 350). The median (range) of caffeine concentration was 0.46 [< 0.10, 7.54] mg/L, and 64.0% of the samples had less than 1 mg/L of caffeine. The caffeine concentration varied widely among as well as within individuals.

CONCLUSION

The average caffeine concentration in Japanese donor milk samples was higher than that previously reported in samples from Spain, but the range was similar. Donors should be informed that caffeine intake should be within a moderate range, to further increase the safety of donor milk.

Drugs in Human Milk Part 1: Practical and Analytical Considerations in Measuring Drugs and Metabolites in Human Milk

Human milk is a remarkable biofluid that provides essential nutrients and immune protection to newborns. Breastfeeding women consuming medications could pass the drug through their milk to neonates. Drugs can be transferred to human milk by passive diffusion or active transport. The physicochemical properties of the drug largely impact the extent of drug transfer into human milk. A comprehensive understanding of the physiology of human milk formation, composition of milk, mechanisms of drug transfer, and factors influencing drug transfer into human milk is critical for appropriate selection and use of medications in lactating women. Quantification of drugs in the milk is essential for assessing the safety of pharmacotherapy during lactation. This can be achieved by developing specific, sensitive, and reproducible analytical methods using techniques such as liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The present review briefly discusses the physiology of human milk formation, composition of human milk, mechanisms of drug transfer into human milk, and factors influencing transfer of drugs from blood to milk. We further expand upon and critically evaluate the existing analytical approaches/assays used for the quantification of drugs in human milk.

The Occurrence of Squalene in Human Milk and Infant Formula

(1) Background: The aim of the conducted research was to analyze the squalene content in infants' food. (2) Methods: The experimental material included human milk collected from 100 women from Poland and three different infant formulas. The breast milk fat was extracted according to the Rose-Gottlieb method (AOAC), while the squalene content was determined using the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. (3) Results: The highest amount of squalene was identified in the milk of women aged 18-25 (p < 0.05), and its content in milk decreased with the age of lactating women. Moreover, the greatest amount of squalene was identified in milk from the first lactation period (colostrum), while in mature milk, its content was more than two times lower. There was a correlation between breastfeeding BMI and the squalene content in milk (r = 0.78). (4) Conclusions: The conducted research shows that the level of squalene in human milk depends on physiological factors such as the lactation period and individual factors (age, BMI). The results of the conducted research indicate that breast milk is richer in squalene than modified milk. This study shows the importance of breastfeeding and indicates the superiority of breast milk over infant formulas.