Breast milk in anti-AIDS laboratory
2006/01/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria
Based on laboratory tests, a team of researchers from the University of Amsterdam has stated that a molecule in breast milk is affected by the AIDS virus.
The molecule has been called Lewis X and is a glucid. Apparently, the AIDS virus is first associated with other cells, dendritics, to access the cells that contaminate it. According to the researchers, the Lewis X molecule also joins them. Consequently, the AIDS virus runs out of place and it is impossible to access the cells it normally infects.
In addition, dendritic cells are abundant in tonsils, so the Lewis X molecule easily binds to cells when the child takes milk. However, experts do not recommend that hiv-positive mothers breastfeed children. According to UNICEF, every year two hundred thousand children take the AIDS virus through breast milk. However, researchers in Amsterdam believe that if the milk did not have the Lewis X molecule there would be much more.
According to them, the research is still in its beginnings, but they intend to test on microbicide molecules.
