User:Snazzywiki/Human milk oligosaccharides
Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are a family of structurally diverse unconjugated glycans that are found in and unique to human breast milk. HMOs function as a prebiotic helping to establish commensal bacteria, HMOs also function as anti-adhesives that help prevent the attachment of microbial pathogens to mucosal surfaces.[1]
Evolution
Other biological roles
HMOs have been implicated in modulating responses of the epithelium and of the immune cells, reducing excessive mucosal leukocyte infiltration and activation, and lowering the risk for necrotizing enterocolitis and possibly also providing the infant with sialic acid as a potentially essential nutrient for brain development and cognition.[1]
References
- ^ a b Bode, L (18 Apr 2012). "Human milk oligosaccharides: every baby needs a sugar mama". Glycobiology (journal. 22 (9): 1147–62. doi:10.1093/glycob/cws074. PMID 22513036. Retrieved 20 December 2015.