Abstract
Long chain polyunsaturates (LCP) status during the early neonatal period is associated with a reduced risk of atopic symptoms and later allergies. In this study, we characterized the immune response of low-risk, term, formula-fed infants randomized at ≤14 d of age to standard term formula (Formula) or formula containing LCP (Formula+LCP) for 4 wks. Infants exclusively fed human milk were included for comparison. Peripheral blood was collected at 14 and 42 d of age, and lymphocyte phenotype, proliferation, and cytokine production (IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, IFN-γ, TNF-α, TGFβ) were assessed after incubation with β-lactoglobulin (BLG) and soy protein (SOY). Lymphocyte proliferation did not differ between groups. Compared with human milk-fed infants at 2 wks, formula-fed infants produced more TNF-α and IFN-γ and had more cells expressing ICAM-1 (CD54) after incubation with BLG and SOY (p < 0.05). At 6 wks of age, infants fed Formula+LCP produced more TNF-α with SOY (3.2-fold) and IFN-γ (3.3-fold) with BLG compared with infants fed Formula (p < 0.05). In conclusion, low-risk term infants fed formula before 14 d of age produced more TNF-α and IFN-γ in response to food proteins. Feeding Formula+LCP for 4 wks maintained the higher TNF-α and IFN-γ response to these food proteins.
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Abbreviations
- AA:
-
arachidonic acid
- B:
-
biotin
- BLG:
-
β-lactoglobulin
- DHA:
-
docosahexaenoic acid
- Formula:
-
infants fed standard full term infant formula without long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids
- Formula+LCP:
-
infants fed the formula supplemented with the long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids arachidonic acid and docosahexaenoic acid
- HM:
-
human milk
- LCP:
-
long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids
- PUFA:
-
polyunsaturated fatty acids
- PE:
-
phycoerythrin
- SOY:
-
soy proteins with a significantly reduced isoflavone content
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Acknowledgements
The authors thank Susan Goruk for outstanding technical assistance and Bodil Larsen for her excellent skills in coordinating the clinical aspects of this study. The authors thank the significant help of Kathryn Pramuk of the Medical Affairs Department of Wyeth Nutrition in the design and execution of this study.
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Supported by funding from Wyeth Nutritionals International and MTI Meta Tech Inc.
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Field, C., Van Aerde, J., Robinson, L. et al. Feeding a Formula Supplemented With Long Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Modifies the “Ex Vivo” Cytokine Responses to Food Proteins in Infants at Low Risk for Allergy. Pediatr Res 64, 411–417 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1203/PDR.0b013e318181b391
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/PDR.0b013e318181b391
