Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 6, 2026
Modeling Encephalopathy of Prematurity Using Prenatal Hypoxia-ischemia with Intra-amniotic Lipopolysaccharide in Rats
Published on: November 20, 2015
Leptin and EGF Supplementation Enhance the Immune System Maturation in Preterm Suckling Rats
Blanca Grases-Pintó1,2, Paulina Torres-Castro3,4, Lidia Marín-Morote5,6
1Physiology Section, Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Science, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain. blancagrases@ub.edu.
Insights
Nutritional supplementation with leptin or epidermal growth factor (EGF) improved immune system development in preterm infants. These bioactive compounds in breast milk may enhance immune maturation in premature neonates.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Neonatal Research
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Preterm newborns exhibit immune system immaturity, impacting both innate and adaptive responses.
- Breast milk contains bioactive compounds like growth factors and adipokines crucial for early immune system maturation.
- Limited research exists on the immunoregulatory activities of such compounds in preterm neonates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential of leptin and epidermal growth factor (EGF) supplementation to promote immune system maturation in preterm conditions.
- To assess the impact of early-life nutritional supplementation on both systemic and intestinal immunity in premature neonates.
Main Methods:
- Premature rats were orally gavaged daily with either leptin or EGF.
- Control groups included term and preterm rats receiving a vehicle solution.
- Key immunological and physiological parameters were analyzed and compared between groups.
Main Results:
- Preterm rats displayed significant immune deficiencies, including lower body weight, erythrocyte counts, and immunoglobulin levels (IgG, IgM), and reduced B cell percentages.
- Elevated levels of T helper (Th) and T cytotoxic (Tc) TCRαβ+ cells in mesenteric lymph nodes and increased intestinal permeability were observed in preterm rats.
- Leptin and EGF supplementation effectively reversed some of these deficiencies, indicating improved immune development.
Conclusions:
- Leptin and EGF play a role in enhancing the maturation of the systemic and intestinal immune systems in preterm infants.
- Early nutritional intervention with leptin or EGF shows promise for supporting immune development in premature neonates.
Abstract:
In preterm newborns the immaturity of the immune system is remarkable, with reduced innate and adaptive immune responses. Many bioactive compounds in breast milk, such as growth factors and adipokines, contribute to the immune system's maturation in early life. However, studies on the immunoregulatory activity in preterm neonates are practically nonexistent. The aim of the present study was to determine whether a nutritional supplementation in early life with leptin or epidermal growth factor (EGF) was able to promote the maturation of the systemic and intestinal immune system in preterm conditions. For this purpose, premature rats were daily supplemented by oral gavage with leptin or EGF. Term and Preterm groups receiving vehicle were used as controls. Preterm rats showed deficiencies compared to full-term ones, such as lower body weights, erythrocyte counts, plasma IgG and IgM concentrations and B cell percentages, and higher values of Th and Tc TCRαβ+ cells in mesenteric lymph nodes, and intestinal permeability, among others. However, leptin and EGF supplementation were able to revert some of these deficiencies and to improve the premature immune system's development. These results suggest that leptin and EGF are involved in enhancing the maturation of the systemic and intestinal immune system in preterm conditions.
