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N-acetyl-D-Glucosamine And Human Breast Milk
  Oligosaccharides (small sugar chains larger than lactose) are unique to human breast milk. These small sugar chains are present in amounts as high as 18 grams per litre of breast milk which is much higher than protein at 10 to 12 gram per litre. The most common sugars making up these short chains are N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, sialic acid (a 9 carbon amino sugar) and fucose. Fifteen percent of the sugar content is protein bound and 85% is free in the form of oligosaccharides, with chain lengths varying from 3 to 11 units1. Sugar Constituents of Human Breast Milk (Grams per Litre of Milk)
As can be seen from the table there is a temporal relationship to the amount of sugars present in breast milk. It is believed that this reflects the needs of the infant for these sugars. The role of breast milk sugars N-acetyl-D-glucosamine content is the highest of the three non-lactose sugars. One of the roles of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine is the determination of intestinal flora. Bifidobacteria, which makes up 99% of gut flora in the breast fed infant requires N-acetyl-D-glucosamine for growth. This organism is important for a healthy gastrointestinal tract. Other roles of this important sugar have not yet been elucidated. Human milk oligosaccharides act as free receptor analogs and prevent the adhesion of disease causing organisms to gut mucosa. Infants whose mothers produce breast milk low in fucosyloligosaccharides have more E. coli associated diarrhea than infants fed milk high in fucosyloligosaccharides2. Sialic acid in human milk is believed to be important in brain development. Sialic acid in milk is a supplemental source for the production of sialoglycoproteins and ganglioside components of brain. Although the human infant can produce sialic acid directly the supplemental source is needed for the very rapid brain development in the first few weeks of life. This may explain the decline in sialic acid milk content of over time. 1 Miller, J. B., S. Bull, et al. (1994). "The oligosaccharide composition of human milk: temporal and individual variations in monosaccharide components." J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 19(4): 371-6. 2 Newburg, D. S., G. M. Ruiz-Palacios, et al. (2004). "Innate protection conferred by fucosylated oligosaccharides of human milk against diarrhea in breastfed infants." Glycobiology 14(3): 253-63. | |
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Notice: The information is intended to provide the reader with a comprehensive understanding of the science underlying the role of glucosamine and N-acetylglucosamine in the mammalian body. The scientific information on this site has been compiled from many different scientific sources. No specific therapeutic claims are made for any product. The information provided on this site is for general information purposes only and is not intended to qualify, supplement or replace that of your medical professional. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Your healthcare giver should undertake diagnosing and treating your medical condition.
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