HMOs Impact the Gut Microbiome of Children and Adults Starting from Low Predicted Daily Doses

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 27, 2025

Quantification of the Potential Impact of Glyphosate-Based Products on Microbiomes
07:42

Quantification of the Potential Impact of Glyphosate-Based Products on Microbiomes

Published on: January 10, 2022

4.1K

Danica Bajic1, Frank Wiens1, Eva Wintergerst1

  • 1DSM Nutritional Products Ltd., Wurmisweg 576, 4303 Kaiseraugst, Switzerland.

Metabolites
|April 26, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Low doses of human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) significantly benefit the gut microbiome in children and adults. These beneficial changes, including increased short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), occur at doses as low as 0.3 g/day.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology and Gut Health
  • Nutritional Science
  • Metabolomics

Background:

  • Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are recognized for health benefits extending from infancy to adulthood.
  • Previous research established effective adult gut microbiome modulation with 5-20 g/day of HMOs, with lower doses rarely studied.
  • Investigating lower HMO doses is crucial for understanding their full therapeutic potential across age groups.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of low dietary doses (0.3-5 g/day) of four specific HMOs (2'FL, LNnT, 3'SL, 6'SL) on the adult and pediatric gut microbiome.
  • To identify microbial fermentation products and metabolic changes induced by low-dose HMOs using ex vivo technology.
  • To explore the dose-response relationship and specific effects of individual HMOs on gut microbial metabolites.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized ex vivo SIFR® technology with bioreactor fermentation on fecal samples from children and adults (n=6 each).
  • Assessed four specific HMO molecular species: 2'-Fucosyllactose (2'FL), Lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT), 3'-Sialyllactose (3'SL), and 6'-Sialyllactose (6'SL).
  • Analyzed short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), untargeted metabolomics, and key microbial populations (e.g., Bifidobacteriaceae).

Main Results:

  • HMOs significantly increased SCFAs (acetate, propionate, butyrate) at predicted doses from 0.3-0.5 g/day onwards, with dose-dependent effects.
  • Specific HMOs showed distinct impacts: 6'SL on propionate, LNnT on butyrate, and 2'FL/3'SL on acetate.
  • Low-dose HMOs enhanced immune-related, gut-brain-axis-related metabolites, and vitamins, and stimulated keystone species like Bifidobacteriaceae at doses as low as 0.5 g/day.

Conclusions:

  • Dietary human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) demonstrate significant beneficial effects on the gut microbiome at considerably lower doses than previously established.
  • Low-dose HMOs modulate gut microbial fermentation, producing beneficial SCFAs and other key metabolites, impacting immune function and the gut-brain axis.
  • These findings support the potential of low-dose HMO supplementation for promoting gut health in both children and adults.
Keywords:
2′FL3′SL6′SLLC-MSLNnThuman milk oligosaccharidesintestinal microbiotamicrobial metaboliteshort-chain fatty acidsshotgun sequencing

More Related Videos

Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction-based Analyses of Murine Intestinal Microbiota After Oral Antibiotic Treatment08:33

Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction-based Analyses of Murine Intestinal Microbiota After Oral Antibiotic Treatment

Published on: November 17, 2018

13.0K
Oral Biofilm Sampling for Microbiome Analysis in Healthy Children10:42

Oral Biofilm Sampling for Microbiome Analysis in Healthy Children

Published on: December 31, 2017

17.1K

Related Concept Videos

Factors Affecting Drug Response: Overview01:21

Factors Affecting Drug Response: Overview

When it comes to infants and young children, they are typically administered smaller doses of medication in comparison to adults. This is primarily because their organ functions still need to fully develop, meaning their bodies are not as efficient at metabolizing or eliminating drugs. Additionally, their blood-brain barrier is more permeable than in adults. As a result, high concentrations of drugs can easily penetrate the central nervous system (CNS), potentially leading to neurological...
2.0K
Anatomy of the Intestines01:23

Anatomy of the Intestines

Although digestion of proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids may begin in the stomach, it is completed in the intestine. The absorption of nutrients, water, and electrolytes from food and drink also occurs in the intestine. The intestines can be divided into two structurally distinct organs—the small and large intestines.
Small Intestines
The small intestine is an ~7 meter-long tube with an inner diameter of just 2.5 cm. Since most nutrients are absorbed here, the inner lining of the...
71.8K
Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Antimicrobials as Antidiarrheal Agents01:18

Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Antimicrobials as Antidiarrheal Agents

Acute diarrhea, a common gastrointestinal disturbance, is characterized by the rapid evacuation of fluid stools, leading to an excessive weight in fluid. This condition typically arises from disorders affecting intestinal water and electrolyte transport. It can be triggered by an increased osmotic load within the intestine, excessive secretion of electrolytes and water, mucosal exudation of protein and fluid, or altered intestinal motility. The primary risks of acute diarrhea are dehydration...
118
What is Monogastric Digestion?01:50

What is Monogastric Digestion?

The human body contains a monogastric digestive system. In a monogastric digestive system, the stomach only contains one chamber in which it digests food. Several other animal species also have monogastric digestive systems, including pigs, horses, dogs, and birds. This chapter, however, focuses on the human digestive system.
71.1K
Types of Toxins01:36

Types of Toxins

Humans continually engage with an environment rich in potentially harmful chemicals. These are introduced to our bodies through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact. These chemicals exist in various forms, such as air and environmental pollutants, agricultural chemicals, organic solvents, and heavy metals.
Air pollutants, primarily gases, pose significant threats to respiratory health, leading to conditions like hypoxia, lung cancer, and in extreme cases, death.
Environmental pollutants like...
1.7K
Drugs for Treatment of Constipation-Predominant IBS01:21

Drugs for Treatment of Constipation-Predominant IBS

Pharmacological therapies for IBS-C are designed to alleviate abdominal discomfort and enhance bowel function. In patients with IBS-C, fiber supplements may help soften stools and decrease straining, but may also lead to increased gas production and bloating. Osmotic laxatives like milk of magnesia are frequently used to soften stools and increase stool frequency in IBS-C patients. In addition, two drugs approved for use in severe IBS-C adult cases are linaclotide (Linzess) and lubiprostone...
160