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Reduction of Arachidonate Is Associated With Increase in B-Cell Activation Marker in Infants: A Randomized Trial

John J Miklavcic1, Bodil M K Larsen, Vera C Mazurak

  • 1*Alberta Institute for Human Nutrition, University of Alberta †Alberta Health Services, Edmonton AB, Canada ‡Clinical Research, Mead Johnson Nutrition, Evansville, IN, the Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT §Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Alberta ||Department of Pediatrics, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton AB ¶Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver BC, Canada.

Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition
|June 9, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Arachidonic acid (ARA) in infant formula supports immune function, with levels between 25-34 mg/100 kcal being sufficient for infants, regardless of genetic factors. Low ARA intake or specific FADS gene variations can reduce ARA levels and impact immune responses.

Area of Science:

  • Human nutrition
  • Immunology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (ARA) are crucial for infants not breast-fed.
  • The optimal ARA intake for infant immune function and the influence of FADS polymorphisms are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate how ARA intake and FADS polymorphisms affect ARA levels in infant lymphocytes, plasma, and red blood cells.
  • To determine the impact of varying ARA levels in formula on infant immune markers.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective, double-blind study involving 89 infants fed formula with 0, 25, or 34 mg ARA/100 kcal for 10 weeks.
  • Analysis of fatty acid composition in plasma and blood cells, lymphocyte activation markers, and FADS1/FADS2 polymorphisms.

Main Results:

  • Higher lymphocyte ARA was observed in infants fed 25 mg ARA/100 kcal formula.
  • Specific plasma phospholipid species were altered by ARA intake, and plasma ARA was elevated in FADS polymorphism carriers only at the highest ARA intake.
  • Elevated B-cell activation marker CD54 was noted in infants receiving formula with no ARA.

Conclusions:

  • Low ARA consumption and FADS minor alleles reduce plasma ARA levels.
  • Dietary ARA may regulate B-cell activation, and 25-34 mg ARA/100 kcal is adequate for maintaining cell ARA levels across genotypes.
Abstract

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