Effect of bovine milk fat globule membranes as a complementary food on the serum metabolome and immune markers of 6-11-month-old Peruvian infants

Abstract

This study builds on a previous study by this group in which 6–11-month-old Peruvian infants who were fed bovine milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) containing complementary food had significantly fewer episodes of infection-related bloody diarrhea relative to those consuming a control food (skim milk powder). Micronutrient deficiencies including zinc deficiency were prevalent in this study population. To understand the mechanism behind the health benefits of consuming MFGM, the serum metabolome and cytokine levels, as markers for systemic immune responses, were evaluated using 1 H nuclear magnetic resonance-based metabolomics and a multiplex system, respectively. Combined with data on micronutrient status and anthropometry, a comparative analysis was performed. Supplementation with MFGM tended to improve micronutrient status, energy metabolism, and growth reflected as increased levels of circulating amino acids and weight gain, particularly in female infants compared to controls. Decreased levels of the microbial choline metabolite trimethylamine- N -oxide in the MFGM-supplemented group (both male and female infants) suggest a functional perturbation in the intestinal microbiota. A cytokine shift toward a less T helper type 1 response was observed in those receiving the MFGM supplement, which was mainly attributed to decreases in interleukin-2 levels. Our findings suggest that consumption of MFGM with complementary food may reverse the metabolic abnormalities found in marginally nourished infants, thereby improving metabolic regulation, which may lead to enhanced immunity.

Sources, Production, and Clinical Treatments of Milk Fat Globule Membrane for Infant Nutrition and Well-Being

“…These infants (6-11 months of age) displayed a decreased Th1 response that was attributed to lowered serum cytokine IL-2. Thus, this study further corroborates the immune outcomes found in the trial as the Th1 immune system is activated during infection [150]. In another study, Gurnida et al (2012) studied the effects of formula supplemented with a ganglioside-enhanced, MFGM-derived, complex milk lipid in term infants [151].…”

Compositional Dynamics of the Milk Fat Globule and Its Role in Infant Development

“…When faced with an immune challenge, two key biological factors are involved in the intestinal defense response: the mucosal immune system and the gut microbiota (the latter will be discussed in the following section). A recent study reported that supplementation with bovine MFGM was able to enhance overall immunity and metabolism ( 10 ) which may explain the previously reported reduction in infection-related diarrhea ( 6 ). This section discusses potential mechanisms whereby components in the MFGM are able to regulate cellular events to enable maturation of the mucosal immune system, thereby improving infant health (Table 4 ).…”

“…These variations reflect maternal factors including diet, environment, maternal genetics, and body composition, as well as the changing needs of the infant over the period of lactation (Figure 1 ). Recent research has shown a protective effect of MFGM against infectious diseases ( 6 , 7 ), in part through the modulation of the intestinal immune response and the gut microbiota ( 8 – 10 ). Although the underlying mechanism is not entirely clear, the MFGM harbors two forms of glycoconjugates (glycoproteins and glycolipids), which are thought to have antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and prebiotic functions in the gut ( 11 , 12 ).…”

Comparative Analysis of Milk Fat Globular Membrane (MFGM) Proteome between Saudi Arabia Camelus dromedary Safra and Wadha Breeds

“…Some of these proteins are glycosylated which play an important role in biological function during the lactation period [13,25,26] and are diverse in different species. Several reports suggested that the structure and bioactive components of the MFGM play a crucial role in infant gut maturation, neurological development, modulating cholesterol and lipid uptake, immunity [40], and metabolism [41]. Moreover, the MFGM proteins may have an essential role in shaping gut microbial populations, which in turn may provide various health benefits including immune defense [42] and inflammatory diseases early in life [43,44].…”