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Nutrients
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Diet and Nutritional Intervention for the Infant Gut Microbiome
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Diet and Nutritional Intervention for the Infant Gut Microbiome

A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Prebiotics and Probiotics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 June 2022) | Viewed by 19967

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Valentina Giorgio

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Life Sciences and Global Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
Interests: pediatric gastroenterology; pediatric nutrition; pediatric functional gastrointestinal disorders; pediatric inflammatory bowel disease
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Giuseppe Stella

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Life Sciences and Global Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
Interests: pediatric gastroenterology; pediatric nutrition; pediatric functional gastrointestinal disorders; pediatric inflammatory bowel disease

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

It is established that colonization of the gut in early infancy may have long-term health effects. The goal of this Special Issue “Diet and Nutritional Intervention for the Infant Gut Microbiome”, is to focus on the importance of nutrition as a major driver of Gut Microbiome composition, diversity and functional capacity.

Given the dynamic development of the gut microbiome in infants and children, the aim of this issue is to clarify if diet and nutritional interventions can influence gut microbiota, favoring overall health and preventing diseases.

This new information will provide health care professionals with a clear and update evidence on modulation of intestinal gut microbiota in pediatrics based on diet and nutritional schemes.

Prof. Dr. Valentina Giorgio
Dr. Giuseppe Stella
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • Diet
  • Gut Microbiota
  • infants
  • breastfeeding
  • nutrition

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 5732 KiB  
Article
S. boulardii Early Intervention Maintains Gut Microbiome Structure and Promotes Gut Mucosal Barrier Function in Early-Weaned Rats
by Zhipeng Yang, Yanting Wu, Xiangchen Liu, Mei Zhang, Jian Peng and Hongkui Wei
Nutrients 2022, 14(17), 3485; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14173485 - 24 Aug 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2166
Abstract
Early weaning leads to the disorder of the gut microbiome and gut mucosal barrier injury. Early intervention of gut microbiome colonization contributes to the development of the gut microbiome and gut function. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of [...] Read more.
Early weaning leads to the disorder of the gut microbiome and gut mucosal barrier injury. Early intervention of gut microbiome colonization contributes to the development of the gut microbiome and gut function. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of Saccharomyces boulardii (S. boulardii) early intervention on the gut microbiome structure and gut mucosal barrier function of early-weaned rats. The results showed that S. boulardii early intervention improved growth performance along with a decrease in pathogenic bacteria, an increase in beneficial bacteria, a stable and complex microbiome, and a high level of microbial metabolism. Moreover, S. boulardii upregulated the mucosal barrier function including goblet cells and relative gene expression, tight junction, and sIgA level. Furthermore, S. boulardii suppressed the inflammatory response and promoted the anti-inflammatory response. Our study may provide a possible early intervention strategy for preventing an early weaning-induced disorder of the gut microbiome and loss of gut mucosal barrier function. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diet and Nutritional Intervention for the Infant Gut Microbiome)
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23 pages, 3814 KiB  
Article
Human Milk Oligosaccharides and Lactose Differentially Affect Infant Gut Microbiota and Intestinal Barrier In Vitro
by Jane Mea Natividad, Benoît Marsaux, Clara Lucia Garcia Rodenas, Andreas Rytz, Gies Vandevijver, Massimo Marzorati, Pieter Van den Abbeele, Marta Calatayud and Florence Rochat
Nutrients 2022, 14(12), 2546; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14122546 - 19 Jun 2022
Cited by 32 | Viewed by 5806
Abstract
Background: The infant gut microbiota establishes during a critical window of opportunity when metabolic and immune functions are highly susceptible to environmental changes, such as diet. Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) for instance are suggested to be beneficial for infant health and gut microbiota. [...] Read more.
Background: The infant gut microbiota establishes during a critical window of opportunity when metabolic and immune functions are highly susceptible to environmental changes, such as diet. Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) for instance are suggested to be beneficial for infant health and gut microbiota. Infant formulas supplemented with the HMOs 2′-fucosyllactose (2′-FL) and lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT) reduce infant morbidity and medication use and promote beneficial bacteria in the infant gut ecosystem. To further improve infant formula and achieve closer proximity to human milk composition, more complex HMO mixtures could be added. However, we currently lack knowledge about their effects on infants’ gut ecosystems. Method: We assessed the effect of lactose, 2′-FL, 2′-FL + LNnT, and a mixture of six HMOs (HMO6: consisting of 2′-FL, LNnT, difucosyllactose, lacto-N-tetraose, 3′- and 6′-sialyllactose) on infant gut microbiota and intestinal barrier integrity using a combination of in vitro models to mimic the microbial ecosystem (baby M-SHIME®) and the intestinal epithelium (Caco-2/HT29-MTX co-culture). Results: All the tested products had bifidogenic potential and increased SCFA levels; however, only the HMOs’ fermented media protected against inflammatory intestinal barrier disruption. 2′-FL/LNnT and HMO6 promoted the highest diversification of OTUs within the Bifidobactericeae family, whereas beneficial butyrate-producers were specifically enriched by HMO6. Conclusion: These results suggest that increased complexity in HMO mixture composition may benefit the infant gut ecosystem, promoting different bifidobacterial communities and protecting the gut barrier against pro-inflammatory imbalances. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diet and Nutritional Intervention for the Infant Gut Microbiome)
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15 pages, 3062 KiB  
Article
Implications of Indirect Biomarkers of Intestinal Permeability in the Stools of Newborns and Infants with Perinatal Risk Factors for Intestinal Colonization Disorders and Infant Feeding Patterns
by Diana Sochaczewska, Maciej Ziętek, Barbara Dołęgowska, Agnieszka Kordek and Małgorzata Szczuko
Nutrients 2022, 14(11), 2224; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14112224 - 26 May 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2916
Abstract
Background: The intestinal microbiota of pregnant women and factors disturbing the microbial balance of their gastrointestinal tract during the perinatal period may be the cause of dysbiosis and thus intestinal permeability syndrome in their children. The purpose of this study was to analyze [...] Read more.
Background: The intestinal microbiota of pregnant women and factors disturbing the microbial balance of their gastrointestinal tract during the perinatal period may be the cause of dysbiosis and thus intestinal permeability syndrome in their children. The purpose of this study was to analyze the implications of intestinal permeability parameters in the stools of newborns and infants with perinatal risk factors for intestinal colonization disorders (the route of delivery, antibiotic therapy in the neonatal period and the abandonment of breastfeeding). Methods: The study included 100 mother–child pairs. All children were born from uncomplicated and term pregnancies (between 37 and 42 weeks of gestation). In order to determine the parameters of dysbiosis and intestinal permeability, we determined the concentrations of zonulin and occludin in stool samples taken from all children at 0 (i.e., at birth), 3, 6 and 12 months of age. Elevated levels of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) are associated with metabolic diseases and its presence may be indicative of TJ injury and the onset of leaky gut syndrome. To indirectly determine the presence of endotoxemia, the concentrations of lipopolysaccharide were also measured in stool samples taken from all children at 0, 3, 6 and 12 months of age. We analyzed the relationship between the markers studied and perinatal risk factors for impaired intestinal colonization, including the mode of delivery, the method of feeding, and a family history of allergy. Results: During the first 3 months of infant life, higher concentrations of fecal occludin and zonulin were most often accompanied by higher values of fecal LPS. Similarly, higher concentrations of zonulin were accompanied by higher values of occludin. There were no significant differences in the stool concentrations of the studied markers during the first year of life between children born by caesarean section and those born naturally. In addition, the method of feeding had no significant effect on the changes in the concentrations of the determined fractions. Antibiotic therapy was associated only with an increase in the fecal occludin concentration after birth, without any effect on zonulin, occludin or LPS levels. The use of probiotic therapy in infants resulted in a decrease in only LPS concentrations at 3 months of age, with no effect on zonulin or occludin concentrations at 0, 6 and 12 months. Conclusions: Perinatal factors related to intestinal permeability are important during the first 3 months of infant life. However, we found that the mode of delivery had no influence on the parameters of infant intestinal leakage during the first year of life. In addition, the mode of infant feeding—breast or exclusively formula—did not significantly affect the changes in the concentrations of LPS, zonulin or occludin in the stools of children. A short-term increase in occludin concentrations after delivery in the stools of children from mothers undergoing antibiotic therapy indicates a negative but reversible influence of intrapartum antibiotics on the intestinal integrity of children in the perinatal period. Probiotic therapy seems to have a positive effect on reducing endotoxemia in children during the first 3 months of life. The presence of LPS at 3 months did not affect intestinal tightness at any of the later measured periods of the infants’ lives. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diet and Nutritional Intervention for the Infant Gut Microbiome)
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13 pages, 9909 KiB  
Communication
In Vitro Gut Fermentation of Whey Protein Hydrolysate: An Evaluation of Its Potential Modulation on Infant Gut Microbiome
by Chunsong Feng, Li Tian, Hui Hong, Quanyu Wang, Xin Zhan, Yongkang Luo and Yuqing Tan
Nutrients 2022, 14(7), 1374; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14071374 - 25 Mar 2022
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4059
Abstract
Whey protein and its hydrolysate are ubiquitously consumed as nutritional supplements. This study aimed to evaluate the potential effect of whey protein hydrolysate (WPH) on the infant gut microbiome, which is more variable than that of adults. Colonic fermentation was simulated through a [...] Read more.
Whey protein and its hydrolysate are ubiquitously consumed as nutritional supplements. This study aimed to evaluate the potential effect of whey protein hydrolysate (WPH) on the infant gut microbiome, which is more variable than that of adults. Colonic fermentation was simulated through a static digestion model and fecal culture fermentation, using feces from normal infants aged from 1–3 years old. During in vitro gut fermentation, measurements of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) concentrations and 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing were performed. Additionally, the growth curves of cultivated probiotics were analyzed to evaluate the prebiotic potential of WPH. Besides the decline of pH in fermentation, the addition of WPH induced a significant increase in the SCFA production and also the relative abundance of Proteobacteria, Bacteroides, and Streptococcus (p < 0.05). The lower ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes in WPH-supplemented samples indicated the positive modulation of WPH on the gut microbiota, which could benefit the energy balance and metabolism of infants. The stimulation effect of WPH on the probiotics (particularly Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM) during cultivation implied the prebiotic potential as well. Our findings shed light on WPH as a valuable dietary supplement with not only enriched resources of essential amino acids but also the potential to restore the infant gut microbiome. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diet and Nutritional Intervention for the Infant Gut Microbiome)
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19 pages, 3440 KiB  
Article
Gut Microbiota Modulation of Moderate Undernutrition in Infants through Gummy Lactobacillus plantarum Dad-13 Consumption: A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Trial
by Rafli Zulfa Kamil, Agnes Murdiati, Mohammad Juffrie and Endang Sutriswati Rahayu
Nutrients 2022, 14(5), 1049; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14051049 - 1 Mar 2022
Cited by 22 | Viewed by 4050
Abstract
Undernutrition is associated with gut microbiota unbalance, and probiotics are believed to restore it and improve gut integrity. A randomized double-blind controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of gummy L. plantarum Dad-13 (108−9 CFU/3 g) to prevent the progression of [...] Read more.
Undernutrition is associated with gut microbiota unbalance, and probiotics are believed to restore it and improve gut integrity. A randomized double-blind controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of gummy L. plantarum Dad-13 (108−9 CFU/3 g) to prevent the progression of severe undernutrition. Two groups of moderate undernutrition infants were involved in this study, namely the placebo (n = 15) and probiotics (n = 15) groups, and were required to consume the product for 50 days. 16S rRNA sequencing and qPCR were used for gut microbiota analysis, and gas chromatography was used to analyze Short-Chain Fatty Acid (SCFA). The daily food intake of both groups was recorded using food records. Our results revealed that the probiotic group had better improvements regarding the anthropometry and nutritional status. In addition, L. plantarum Dad-13 modulated the butyric acid-producing bacteria to increase and inhibit the growth of Enterobacteriaceae. This gut modulation was associated with the increment in SCFA, especially total SCFA, propionic, and butyric acid. The number of L. plantarum was increased after the probiotic intervention. However, L. plantarum Dad-13 was not able to change the alpha and beta diversity. Therefore, L. plantarum Dad-13 has been proven to promote the growth of beneficial bacteria. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diet and Nutritional Intervention for the Infant Gut Microbiome)
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