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Effect of Hyaluronic Acid 35 kDa on an In Vitro Model of Preterm Small Intestinal Injury and Healing Using Enteroid-Derived Monolayers
Published on: July 28, 2022
Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia increases intestinal protein permeability and the prevalence of cow's milk protein
Francesco Raimondi1, Flavia Indrio, Valeria Crivaro
1Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Università Federico II, Napoli, Italy. raimondi@unina.it
Aims:
Bilirubin is a newly discovered modulator of the gut barrier in vitro and in vivo. We studied the effect of bilirubin on the serosal to mucosal intestinal permeability in vivo. We also investigated the prevalence of cow's milk protein intolerance (CMPI) in infants with moderate hyperbilirubinemia versus matched controls.
Methods:
Faecal alpha 1 antitrypsin (a1AT) was used to monitor intestinal protein loss; a large cohort was prospectively followed for 12 months for sign and symptoms of CMPI.
Results:
Neonates with hyperbilirubinemia had higher stool excretion of a1AT than controls (0.68 +/- 0.28 mg/g vs. 0.25 +/- 0.11 mg/g; p < 0.01). Faecal a1AT correlates with total serum bilirubin (TSB) (r = 0.85; p < 0.01). Also, in the first 12 months of life, formerly hyperbilirubinemic infants had an higher prevalence of CMPI (14/353 vs. 4/339; chi2= 4.018, p = 0.045).
Conclusions:
Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia increases stool protein loss and is also a mild risk factor for CMPI.
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