Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 3, 2025
Breast Milk Enhances Growth of Enteroids: An Ex Vivo Model of Cell Proliferation
Published on: February 15, 2018
Effect of Various Preterm Infant Milk Formulas on NEC-Like Gut Injury in Mice
Karishma Rao1,2, Alain Cuna1,2, Susana Chavez-Bueno2,3
1Division of Neonatology, Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, MO, United States.
Insights
Different preterm formulas impact infant gut health, causing varied intestinal inflammation and microbiome changes. Specific formulas like EleCare and Similac Special Care showed more injury, while *Lactobacillus rhamnosus* GG offered protection.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal nutrition and gastroenterology
- Microbiome research and immunology
Background:
- Formula feeding is a known risk factor for necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants.
- The specific impacts of various preterm formulas on the developing infant gut are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the differential effects of various preterm infant formulas on intestinal health.
- To analyze formula-induced changes in intestinal inflammation, apoptosis, and the gut microbiome.
Main Methods:
- Newborn mouse pups were fed different preterm formulas.
- Intestinal inflammation, apoptosis, and NFκB activation were assessed.
- Gut microbial composition was analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing.
Main Results:
- Different preterm formulas induced distinct changes in intestinal inflammation, apoptosis, and NFκB activation.
- Formula feeding, particularly with EleCare and Similac Special Care, led to increased intestinal injury compared to NeoSure.
- Each formula significantly altered the gut microbiome composition compared to dam-fed controls.
- *Lactobacillus rhamnosus* GG pre-treatment mitigated intestinal injury caused by EleCare and Similac Special Care.
Conclusions:
- Preterm formula composition significantly influences intestinal inflammation, apoptosis, and gut microbiome diversity.
- Variations in formula ingredients can lead to differential outcomes in intestinal injury.
- Probiotic supplementation, such as *Lactobacillus rhamnosus* GG, may offer protective benefits against formula-induced intestinal damage.
Abstract:
Formula feeding is an important risk factor for the development of necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants. The potential harmful effects of different preterm formulas on the developing intestinal tract remain incompletely understood. Here we demonstrate that feeding newborn mouse pups with various preterm formulas resulted in differing effects on intestinal inflammation, apoptosis, and activation of the pro-inflammatory transcription factor NFκB. 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that each preterm formula resulted in significant gut microbial alterations that were different from dam-fed controls. Formula feeding with EleCare and Similac Special Care caused greater intestinal injury compared to NeoSure. Pre-treatment with Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG ameliorated severity of intestinal injury from EleCare and Similac Special Care. Our findings indicate that not all preterm formulas are the same, and different formulations can have varying effects on intestinal inflammation, apoptosis, and microbiome composition.
