Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 27, 2026

Individualized Reconstitution of Human Milk Microbiota: A Feasible Approach in Real-World Settings
04:16

Individualized Reconstitution of Human Milk Microbiota: A Feasible Approach in Real-World Settings

Published on: February 7, 2025

An α-lactalbumin-enriched and symbiotic-supplemented v. a standard infant formula: a multicentre, double-blind,

Jean-Christophe Rozé1, Sébastien Barbarot, Marie-José Butel

  • 1Department of Neonatal Medicine, Nantes University Hospital, Boulevard Jean Monet, 44000 Nantes, France. jcroze@chu-nantes.fr

The British Journal of Nutrition
|November 15, 2011
PubMed

Insights

This study found that an experimental infant formula, enriched with alpha-lactalbumin and synbiotics, improved infant tolerance and reduced atopic dermatitis incidence. The formula demonstrated a protective effect against eczema development in non-breastfed neonates.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Immunology
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common inflammatory skin condition in infants.
  • Infant nutrition plays a crucial role in immune system development and disease prevention.
  • Early life gut microbiota composition is linked to AD development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the safety, tolerance, and preventive effects of an experimental infant formula.
  • The formula was enriched with alpha-lactalbumin and supplemented with synbiotics (probiotics and prebiotics).
  • To evaluate the impact on infant growth, gastrointestinal tolerance, and atopic dermatitis manifestation.

Main Methods:

  • A double-blind, multicentre, randomised controlled trial involving 97 non-breastfed term neonates.
  • Infants received either the experimental formula (n=48) or standard formula (n=49) for 6 months.
  • Outcomes included weight, gastrointestinal tolerance, atopic dermatitis incidence, and analysis of faecal secretory IgA (SIgA) and microbiota.

Main Results:

  • Growth was comparable between the experimental and control groups.
  • Infants on the experimental formula showed improved tolerance (less crying) at 1 month (P=0.03).
  • A significantly lower incidence of atopic dermatitis was observed in the experimental group at 6 months (P<0.05).
  • Decreased faecal SIgA correlated with AD and inversely with bifidobacteria colonization.

Conclusions:

  • The experimental formula is safe and well-tolerated, supporting similar growth to standard formula.
  • It offers a protective effect against the development of atopic dermatitis in infants.
  • Synbiotic supplementation may modulate the gut immune response, influencing AD development.

More Related Videos

A Clinical Trial Assessing the Safety, Efficacy, and Delivery of Olive-Oil-Based Three-Chamber Bags for Parenteral Nutrition04:53

A Clinical Trial Assessing the Safety, Efficacy, and Delivery of Olive-Oil-Based Three-Chamber Bags for Parenteral Nutrition

Published on: September 20, 2019

Probiotic Studies in Neonatal Mice Using Gavage10:36

Probiotic Studies in Neonatal Mice Using Gavage

Published on: January 27, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Development of Human Microbiota01:30

Development of Human Microbiota

The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from the skin...
Bioavailability Study Design: Healthy Subjects Versus Patients01:15

Bioavailability Study Design: Healthy Subjects Versus Patients

Bioavailability studies are essential for evaluating a drug's therapeutic efficacy and understanding its absorption patterns under various physiological conditions. Conducting such studies on target patient populations provides more relevant data by simulating real-world disease states. However, practical challenges often necessitate the use of young, healthy adult volunteers as study subjects.Patients may exhibit altered drug absorption patterns due to the effects of the disease itself,...
Bioavailability Study Design: Single Versus Multiple Dose Studies01:11

Bioavailability Study Design: Single Versus Multiple Dose Studies

Bioavailability studies are essential for understanding how a drug is absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted in the body. These studies assess the extent and rate at which the active pharmaceutical agent becomes available at the site of action. The design of bioavailability studies can involve single-dose or multiple-dose regimens, each with distinct advantages and limitations.Single-dose studies are the preferred approach due to their simplicity and reduced drug exposure for...
Probiotics01:22

Probiotics

Probiotics are live, non-pathogenic microorganisms that confer health benefits by modulating the gut microbiota. The human gastrointestinal tract harbors a complex microbial ecosystem, and the balance of this microbiota is crucial for digestive and systemic health. Among the most extensively studied and utilized probiotics are species formerly classified within the genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. These organisms not only naturally colonize the human gut but are also consumed through...
Bioavailability Study Design: Absolute Versus Relative Bioavailability01:27

Bioavailability Study Design: Absolute Versus Relative Bioavailability

Bioavailability is a crucial pharmacokinetic parameter that quantifies the proportion of an administered drug that reaches the systemic circulation and is available for therapeutic action. Regulatory agencies mandate the assessment of bioavailability, typically measured as the area under the drug plasma concentration-versus-time curve (AUC), to ensure the efficacy and safety of pharmaceutical products. These evaluations are categorized as absolute and relative bioavailability studies.Absolute...
Microbial Nutrition01:28

Microbial Nutrition

Organisms exhibit remarkable metabolic diversity, categorized based on how they acquire energy and carbon. These strategies enable survival in various ecological niches and are essential for maintaining energy flow and nutrient cycling within ecosystems.Energy and Carbon SourcesOrganisms are classified as phototrophs or chemotrophs based on energy acquisition. Phototrophs use light as their energy source, while chemotrophs rely on oxidizing chemical compounds. Further differentiation arises...