Health - A significant discovery by Indian Scientists.

Research confirms presence of stem cells in human milk

In a significant piece of research that will help ailing babies, scientists have discovered the presence of stem cells in human breast milk. Gynaecologist and infertility specialist Dr Satish Patki from Kolhapur and retired senior scientist from the National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS) Dr Ramesh Bhonde have for the first time documented the presence of stem cells in human milk.

They have also documented for the first time in literature the potential of these stem cells, isolated from human milk to differentiate into various other types of cells like insulin producing cells of pancreas, bone cells etc.

“We are floating stem cells derived from breast milk as a drug for neonatal diseases like sepsis, respiratory diseases and others, which lead to infant mortality. Oral stem cell therapy only works in the case of infants. The stem cells from mother's milk can be cultured and stored in stem cell banks,” said Dr Bhonde.

The growth factor of the stem cells can also be used in treatment protocols to improve the success rates of test tube babies or Assisted Reproductive Technology.

This research was done at Patki Hospital & Post Graduate Institute of Gynaecology, Kolhapur. The research paper has been accepted for publication in a medical journal called ‘Human Cell’ in their 23th volume, 2010. Dr Patki and Dr Bhonde have already applied for the patent of this new technology and its applications.

WHAT ARE STEM CELLS?

Stem cells are very basic cells of the body which normally remain quiescent and work as a “back up” respiratory and regenerative machinery of the body. They are mobilised only during the time when the body requires them for repair of any diseased or damaged organ.

Dr Satish Patki and Dr Ramesh Bhonde who have demonstrated the presence of stem cells in the human milk feel that breast feeding is an example of 'Allogenic Stem Cell Therapy,' where the child receives stem cells from mother as a natural gift.

The intestinal tract of newborn babies is such that these stem cells are not destroyed by the juices of intestine but get absorbed into systemic circulation.

The nutrition values of cow, human and formula milk are similar.

But the key content as their research has revealed is the presence of stem cells especially in the milk produced during the first five days after childbirth called colostrum.

The colostrum contains about 50,000 cells per ml, while mature milk contains hardly 50-100 cells per ml.

This stem cell therapy could be the deciding factor in the overall development of the individual, offering various advantages in later life.

“In cases when the baby is born premature we have found that the mother's milk has a higher number of stem cells,” added Dr Patki.

The doctors believe that their research will also strengthen these efforts and can reduce the infant mortality rate of babies under one month age by 22 per cent.