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Uptake and retention in suckling rats of 51chromium fed with human milk or infant formulas
D L Payne1, B Adeleye, D J Hunt
1Department of Nutritional Sciences, College of Human Environmental Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater 74078, USA.
Insights
Chromium (Cr) absorption in infant formulas is low, regardless of formula type or human milk. Different infant formulas did not affect chromium uptake or retention in suckling rat pups.
Area of Science:
- Nutrition Science
- Toxicology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- The optimal chromium (Cr) concentration for infant formulas remains undetermined.
- Factors like soy protein and supplemental iron (Fe) may impact Cr absorption and retention.
- Understanding Cr bioavailability is crucial for infant nutrition and development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the influence of different infant formulas and human milk on chromium uptake and retention.
- To assess the impact of formula composition on chromium bioavailability in a preclinical model.
Main Methods:
- Suckling rat pups were administered 51CrCl3 via intubation in cow's milk-based formula, iron-supplemented formula, soy-based formula, or human milk.
- Radioactivity (51Cr) was measured in organs, blood, and urine 6 hours post-administration.
- The study utilized a controlled experimental design with a radiolabeled tracer.
Main Results:
- Chromium absorption was generally low across all tested conditions.
- Less than 0.2% of the 51Cr dose was found in blood, and less than 1.8% was excreted in urine at 6 hours.
- No significant differences in 51Cr uptake, retention, or organ concentration were observed between formula types or human milk.
Conclusions:
- The type of infant formula or human milk does not appear to influence chromium absorption or retention in early life.
- Low bioavailability of chromium suggests minimal impact from common formula ingredients.
- Further research may be needed to establish optimal chromium levels and assess long-term effects in infants.
Abstract:
Optimum concentration of Cr for infant formulas has not been established. Such components as soy protein or supplemental Fe could influence absorption and retention. Suckling rat pups were used to evaluate the influence of three commercial formulas and human milk, all of which had been incubated with 51CrCl3 for 1 h, on the uptake and retention of the added 51Cr. After fasting 3 h, the pups were intubated with a single dose of 25 microCi 51CrCl3 in either a cow's milk-based formula, an Fe-supplemented cow's milk-based formula, a soy-based formula, or human milk. Six hours later, 51Cr was counted in five organs, thymus, blood, and total urine. Absorption of 51Cr was low. At 6 h, percent 51Cr in blood was < 0.2% of the dose, and total 51Cr excretion in urine was < 1.8%. The uptake and retention of 51Cr and its concentration in any of the organs, thymus, blood, and urine were not influenced by different types of formula or by human milk.