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Probiotics and antimicrobial protein and peptide levels in preterm infants

Tobias Strunk1,2, Julie Hibbert1, Dorota Doherty3

  • 1Centre for Neonatal Research and Education, School of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.

Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|March 16, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Bifidobacterium breve M16V supplementation did not alter antimicrobial protein and peptide (APP) levels in preterm infants. This suggests the probiotic may not impact the immune system through these specific pathways in early life.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal immunology
  • Microbiome research
  • Innate immunity

Background:

  • Preterm infants (<30 weeks gestational age) have immature immune systems.
  • Antimicrobial proteins and peptides (APP) are crucial for innate immunity.
  • The role of probiotics in modulating APP in preterm infants is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize secreted and inducible antimicrobial protein and peptide (APP) levels in preterm infants.
  • To investigate the effect of Bifidobacterium breve M16V supplementation on APP levels.
  • To assess changes in APP during the first month of life.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective cohort study of preterm infants (<30 weeks GA).
  • Analysis of serial plasma and stool biosamples.
  • Measurement of APP (BPI, beta defensins, lactoferrin, cathelicidin, secretory phospholipase A2) and induced APP levels.

Main Results:

  • Significant changes in stool, plasma, and stimulated APP levels were observed during the first month of life.
  • Bifidobacterium breve M16V supplementation did not significantly alter basal or stimulated APP levels.
  • A transient increase in inducible bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI) was noted with supplementation.

Conclusions:

  • Bifidobacterium breve M16V supplementation does not appear to modulate systemic or enteric APP expression in preterm infants.
  • The mechanism of action of B. breve in preterm infants may not involve significant changes in APP.
  • Further research with other probiotic preparations is recommended.
Abstract

Keywords:
Bifidobacterium breveAntimicrobial proteins and peptidesPreterm infantProbiotics

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