Neonatal Gut and Immune Responses to β-Casein Enriched Formula in Piglets

Area of Science:

• Neonatal nutrition
• Gastroenterology
• Immunology

Background:

• Beta-casein is a key component of human milk (HM), providing bioactive peptides crucial for infant development.
• Infant formulas typically contain lower beta-casein levels than HM, raising questions about its impact on infant tolerance and maturation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the clinical safety and potential benefits of increasing beta-casein content in bovine-based infant formula.
• To investigate the effects of varying beta-casein concentrations on gut and immune system maturation in a neonatal model.

Main Methods:

• Near-term piglets, a model for newborn infants, were fed four types of formula with differing beta-casein levels.
• Intestinal and immune parameters were analyzed post-mortem on day 5.
• Clinical variables including growth, mortality, and diarrhea were monitored.

Main Results:

• Clinical outcomes and most intestinal parameters were similar across standard and moderately enriched beta-casein formulas.
• High beta-casein levels (BCN-high) were associated with increased gut pathology, permeability, and inflammation markers (interleukin-8).
• Elevated blood lymphocyte, thrombocyte, and reticulocyte counts, with reduced eosinophils, were observed with higher beta-casein intake.

Conclusions:

• Beta-casein enrichment in bovine-based formula to human milk concentrations is safe in a piglet model, but offers no additional gut maturation benefits.
• Excessive beta-casein supplementation beyond HM levels may induce gut inflammation and alter blood cell populations.