In mice, phytic acid helps maintain the barrier between blood and milk in the mammary gland during inflammation by increasing the levels of proteins that seal the gaps between cells.
Mechanism
Synthesis from 1 study
When the breast gets infected, harmful signals try to break the seal between blood and milk. Phytic acid stops those signals before they can act, which lets the cells rebuild their tight connections and keep the barrier strong. This is the most likely way it works, based on what was directly...
Most probable mechanism
When there's an infection in the breast, harmful signals cause cells to break apart their tight connections, letting blood components leak into milk. Phytic acid blocks these harmful signals at their source, which lets the cells rebuild and strengthen the glue between them, keeping the barrier intact.
Phytic acid enters mammary epithelial cells and interferes with the activation of the AKT signaling protein.
Inhibition of AKT prevents the activation and nuclear translocation of the NF-κB transcription factor.
Reduced NF-κB activity decreases the production of inflammatory molecules such as IL-1β and iNOS in mammary tissue.
Lower inflammation allows for increased expression and stabilization of tight junction proteins including claudins and occludin in the mammary epithelial layer.
Enhanced tight junction integrity prevents leakage of serum components from the bloodstream into the milk ducts, maintaining the blood-milk barrier.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
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Phytic Acid Maintains the Integrity of the Blood-Milk Barrier by Regulating Inflammatory Response and Intestinal Flora Structure.
Contradicting (0)
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