Antioxidant and Inflammation-Attenuating Ability of Human Milk, Infant Formulas and Their Oligosaccharides

Human milk (HM) provides maximum health benefits for infants. This is due in part to the activity of its minor components, including HM proteins and oligosaccharides (HMOs). Where HM is unavailable, infant formulas (IFs) are normally used, the two most common types being cow milk- and goat milk-based formulas (CIF and GIF). The aim of this study was to compare the antioxidant properties of HM, CIF and GIF, together with those of their respective oligosaccharides (HMOs, CMOs and GMOs), using in vitro model systems. The ability of these oligosaccharides to attenuate inflammation (expression of IL-1α, TNFα, IL-6 and IL-8) was also assessed using a U937 cell culture model. Results showed that GIF and GMOs exhibited the highest antioxidant potential. The iron-reducing and iron-chelating properties of both IFs were comparable to those for HM, while the iron-chelating ability of the CMOs was lowest. None of the oligosaccharides significantly reduced U937 cytokine expression following induction of inflammation; however, GMOs consistently reduced expression of IL-1α, TNFα and IL-6 to a greater extent than the other oligosaccharides, presumably by competitive binding to immune receptors. In conclusion, GMOs have a greater antioxidant potential than CMOs and may have some inflammation-attenuating ability as well.