George Vasios1, Aggeliki Kosmidi1, Olga-Ioanna Kalantzi2, Anna Tsantili-Kakoulidou3, Nikolaos Kavantzas4, Stamatios Theocharis4, Constantinos Giaginis1. 1. a Department of Food Science and Nutrition, School of Environment , University of the Aegean , Lemnos , Greece. 2. b Department of Environment, School of Environment , University of the Aegean , Lesvos , Greece. 3. c Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy , University of Athens , Athens , Greece. 4. d First Department of Pathology, Medical School , University of Athens , Athens , Greece.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The transfer of xenobiotic compounds into human breast milk has raised serious concerns in the last few years. The present study is aimed to assess whether simple physicochemical properties exert significant impact on human breast milk transfer of drugs and chemicals. METHODS: A large data set of 375 xenobiotic compounds with available experimental milk to plasma (M/P) ratios was systematically compiled from the literature and explored with their physicochemical properties being further analyzed with respect to their extent to transfer into breast milk. RESULTS: Xenobiotic compounds with increased breast milk transfer (M/P ≥ 1) were characterized by enhanced lipophilicity and decreased molecular size (p < 0.05). Enhanced polarity and hydrogen bonding capacity were more frequently observed in xenobiotic compounds with reduced breast milk transfer (p < 0.0001). Xenobiotic compounds presenting increased positive charge at pH 7.4 were characterized by enhanced breast milk transfer (p < 0.001). Xenobiotic compounds presenting increased negative charge at pH 7.4 were characterized by decreased breast milk transfer (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The present study supports evidence that simple physicochemical properties related with lipophilicity, polarity, molecular size and ionization status exert significant impact on drugs and chemicals transport into human breast milk.
OBJECTIVES: The transfer of xenobiotic compounds into human breast milk has raised serious concerns in the last few years. The present study is aimed to assess whether simple physicochemical properties exert significant impact on humanbreast milk transfer of drugs and chemicals. METHODS: A large data set of 375 xenobiotic compounds with available experimental milk to plasma (M/P) ratios was systematically compiled from the literature and explored with their physicochemical properties being further analyzed with respect to their extent to transfer into breast milk. RESULTS: Xenobiotic compounds with increased breast milk transfer (M/P ≥ 1) were characterized by enhanced lipophilicity and decreased molecular size (p < 0.05). Enhanced polarity and hydrogen bonding capacity were more frequently observed in xenobiotic compounds with reduced breast milk transfer (p < 0.0001). Xenobiotic compounds presenting increased positive charge at pH 7.4 were characterized by enhanced breast milk transfer (p < 0.001). Xenobiotic compounds presenting increased negative charge at pH 7.4 were characterized by decreased breast milk transfer (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The present study supports evidence that simple physicochemical properties related with lipophilicity, polarity, molecular size and ionization status exert significant impact on drugs and chemicals transport into human breast milk.