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Published on: January 27, 2019
Anti-inflammatory effects of Bifidobacterium infantis M-63 during the early postnatal period in term infants
Chendong Xu1, Toshitaka Odamaki2, Akari Hiraku2
1Innovative Research Institute, R&D Division, Morinaga Milk Industry Co., Ltd., Zama, Kanagawa, Japan. shintou-jo413@morinagamilk.co.jp.
Background:
The administration of Bifidobacterium infantis M-63 during the early postnatal period enhances the abundance of gut Bifidobacterium, but its potential effects are still unexplored. The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of B. infantis M-63 on immunity, inflammation, gut-derived metabolites, and gut microbiota composition-based enterotypes in healthy infants.
Methods:
Fecal samples were collected from 111 healthy infants randomly administered 1.0 × 109 CFU of B. infantis M-63 or placebo daily from 7 d to 3 months of age. Gut microbial composition characterization using 16S rRNA sequencing and genus-level enterotype clustering was performed. Fecal cytokine, metabolite, short-chain fatty acid, calprotectin, and secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) levels were measured.
Results:
Administering Bifidobacterium infantis M-63 significantly increased gut Bifidobacterium, whereas Enterobacteriaceae abundance and proinflammatory cytokine levels decreased. Six enterotypes were identified among the gut microbiota. In Bifidobacterium-dominant enterotypes, there was a significant increase in acetic acid and tryptophan metabolite levels, and a slight increase in sIgA levels. In contrast, levels of calprotectin and inflammatory cytokines were significantly reduced compared to those in the non-Bifidobacterium enterotypes.
Conclusions:
Bifidobacterium-dominant enterotypes, established in the gut after administration of B. infantis M-63, were strongly associated with anti-inflammatory effects in healthy infants.
Impact:
This is the first study to demonstrate an anti-inflammatory effect in healthy full-term infants supplemented with Bifidobacterium infantis M-63 alone. Bifidobacterium-dominant enterotypes were associated with reduced levels of inflammatory cytokines and calprotectin, and increased production of beneficial tryptophan metabolites, such as Indole-3-lactic acid (ILA). This study provides evidence that supplementation with B. infantis M-63 in infants may significantly reduce inflammation during the critical early postnatal period.
Insights
Supplementing healthy infants with Bifidobacterium infantis M-63 promotes beneficial gut bacteria and establishes anti-inflammatory enterotypes. This intervention reduces inflammation and increases beneficial metabolites during the critical early postnatal period.
Area of Science:
- Microbiome research
- Pediatric immunology
- Probiotic interventions
Background:
- Early postnatal gut microbiome development is crucial for infant health.
- The impact of Bifidobacterium infantis M-63 on infant immunity and gut microbiota remains largely unexplored.
- Understanding the interplay between probiotics, gut microbiota, and inflammation is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effects of Bifidobacterium infantis M-63 supplementation on infant immunity.
- To analyze changes in gut microbiota composition and enterotypes.
- To investigate the impact on gut-derived metabolites and inflammatory markers.
Main Methods:
- 111 healthy infants received daily B. infantis M-63 or placebo from 7 days to 3 months.
- 16S rRNA sequencing was used for gut microbial composition analysis and enterotype clustering.
- Fecal samples were analyzed for cytokines, metabolites, short-chain fatty acids, calprotectin, and secretory IgA (sIgA).
Main Results:
- B. infantis M-63 supplementation increased Bifidobacterium abundance and decreased Enterobacteriaceae and pro-inflammatory cytokines.
- Six distinct gut microbiota enterotypes were identified.
- Bifidobacterium-dominant enterotypes showed increased acetic acid and tryptophan metabolites, elevated sIgA, and reduced calprotectin and inflammatory cytokines.
Conclusions:
- Bifidobacterium-dominant enterotypes, induced by B. infantis M-63, are associated with significant anti-inflammatory effects in healthy infants.
- This study is the first to demonstrate a solo anti-inflammatory effect of B. infantis M-63 in full-term infants.
- Supplementation with B. infantis M-63 may reduce inflammation in infants during the critical early postnatal period.
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