Lactopontin in a Simulated Infant Formula Protein Matrix Promotes Bone Development via the Gut-Bone Axis in Growing
Yipin Lyu1, Jie Zhang1,2, Chi Cheng2
1School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China.
Background:
Lactopontin (L-OPN) is a pivotal bioactive protein present in breast milk that supports bone development, but its efficacy in a formula matrix is unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of L-OPN-fortified formula on bone growth in a growing rat model and to explore the underlying mechanisms.
Methods:
Weanling rats (n = 8/group) received daily gavage for four weeks: (1) CON-deionized water; (2) PRO-750 mg/kg·BW mixed protein; or (3) L-OPN-750 mg/kg·BW of the PRO formula fortified with L-OPN.
Results:
The results showed that the formula fortified with L-OPN could significantly increase bone volume and trabecular bone number (p < 0.05). Furthermore, both femur length and thickness, as well as overall body length, were significantly increased (p < 0.001). In addition, the L-OPN-fortified formula specifically increased the relative abundance of Bacteroides and Parabacteroides in rat feces (p < 0.05). Metabolomic analysis revealed that L-OPN supplementation significantly altered bile acid metabolism, notably increasing serum levels of 12-ketolithocholic acid (12-KLCA), which correlated strongly with bone metrics.
Conclusions:
These preclinical findings provide a basis for future research in infant formula.
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