Leptin, Adiponectin, and Melatonin Modulate Colostrum Lymphocytes in Mothers with Obesity

Abstract

Pregnancy complicated by obesity is associated with adverse triggered gestational and neonatal outcomes, with reductions in the subtypes of CD4+ T-lymphocytes representing the modulators of inflammation. It needs to be better established how maternal nutritional statuses impact the neuroendocrine–immune system’s action and affect the immunological mechanisms of the maternal–infant relationship via breastfeeding. This study examined the effects of maternal obesity on human colostrum lymphocytes and the intracellular mechanisms of lymphocyte modulation in the presence of leptin, adiponectin, and melatonin via cell proliferation; the release of intracellular calcium; and apoptosis induction. This cross-sectional study analyzed colostrum samples from 52 puerperal splits and divided them into overweight and eutrophic groups. Colostrum lymphocytes underwent immunophenotyping and cell proliferation by flow cytometry and intracellular calcium release and apoptosis assays by immunofluorescence in the presence or absence of hormones. Significant differences were considered when p < 0.05 by the chi-square or t-test. Maternal obesity reduced the population of T-lymphocytes and TCD4+ in human colostrum and proliferative activities (p < 0.05). These hormones restore lymphocyte proliferation to a level similar to the eutrophic group (p < 0.05). Leptin, adiponectin, melatonin hormones, and biological actions consolidated in the scientific literature also represent maternal and infant protection mechanisms via colostrum and the modulation of human colostrum lymphocytes.