Bifidobacterium regulates premature infant gut metabolites, reducing serum inflammatory factors: a randomised...

Area of Science:

• Neonatal nutrition and gut microbiome research
• Immunology and inflammatory pathways in preterm infants
• Probiotic effects on infant health outcomes

Background:

• Premature infants often experience intestinal dysbiosis and inflammation.
• Feeding intolerance is a common complication in preterm neonates.
• The role of specific probiotics like Bifidobacterium BB-12 in modulating infant gut health is under investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of Bifidobacterium BB-12 on intestinal metabolites in premature infants.
• To assess the effect of Bifidobacterium BB-12 on serum inflammatory markers.
• To evaluate the influence of Bifidobacterium BB-12 on the incidence of feeding intolerance.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 71 premature infants (gestational age ≤32 weeks).
• Infants were assigned to either a probiotic group (Bifidobacterium BB-12) or a control group.
• Faecal and blood samples were collected at 2 and 4 weeks for metabolite and inflammatory marker analysis (TLR4, NF-κB, IL-1β, TNF-α).

Main Results:

• The probiotic group exhibited higher levels of intestinal amino acids, including glutamine, glutamic acid, and kynurenine.
• Significantly lower serum levels of inflammatory markers (TLR4, NF-κB, IL-1β, TNF-α) were observed in the probiotic group.
• The incidence of feeding intolerance was notably lower in infants receiving Bifidobacterium BB-12.

Conclusions:

• Bifidobacterium BB-12 administration increases beneficial amino acids in the preterm infant gut.
• This probiotic reduces key serum inflammatory markers and pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion.
• Bifidobacterium BB-12 supplementation alleviates systemic inflammation, thereby improving feeding tolerance and reducing intolerance incidence.