VSL#3 probiotic maternal supplementation affects breast milk composition and newborn faeces microbiota

Microbiology, metabolomics and immunology investigations were performed in order to evaluate the changes induced by VSL#3 probiotic maternal supplementation on breast milk and newborn faeces. Maternal milk was analyzed for factors known to modulate immunological characteristics and the developing microbiota within the gastrointestinal tract (probiotic bacteria, metabolites, cytokines and immunoglobulins). The functional effects of maternal probiotic intervention on the newborn health were assessed evaluating stool composition in terms of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria contents. This pilot case-control study enrolled 30 pregnant women four weeks before expected delivery. Participants received daily oral probiotic or placebo supplementation starting from the enrolment until four weeks after delivery. At 3 (T0) and 30 (T30) days after birth, infant stools and milk samples were collected. The amount of bifidobacteria in breast milk and neonatal faecal samples of probiotic treated group was higher at T0 compared to controls, whereas no significant difference was observed between groups in Lactobacillus amount at any time point. No differences in the presence of VSL#3 Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species were observed between groups in both milk and faecal samples. A significant difference in the levels of some oligosaccharides, associated to a decrease in lactose and citrate levels and an increase in MUFA, phosphatidylglycerol, and succinate levels in mature breast milk was observed between probiotic and control group. TGF-ß values were significantly higher in colostrum from probiotic group in comparison to the control group and increased significantly at T30 only in the probiotic group. IL10 levels were significantly higher in the mature milk from probiotic treated group and IgA levels were significantly higher in colostrum and mature milk from probiotic group. These results suggest that VSL#3 could represent a good supplementation in the diet of pregnant women.