Gut microbiota analysis reveals a marked shift to bifidobacteria by a starter infant formula containing a synbiotic of bovine milk‐derived oligosaccharides and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis CNCM I‐3446

Abstract

SummaryNon-digestible milk oligosaccharides were proposed as receptor decoys for pathogens and as nutrients for beneficial gut commensals like bifidobacteria. Bovine milk contains oligosaccharides, some of which are structurally identical or similar to those found in human milk. In a controlled, randomized doubleblinded clinical trial we tested the effect of feeding a formula supplemented with a mixture of bovine milkderived oligosaccharides (BMOS) generated from whey permeate, containing galacto-oligosaccharides and 3'-and 6'-sialyllactose, and the probiotic Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis (B. lactis) strain CNCM I-3446. Breastfed infants served as reference group. Compared with a non-supplemented control formula, the test formula showed a similar tolerability and supported a similar growth in healthy newborns followed for 12 weeks. The control, but not the test group, differed from the breast-fed reference group by a higher faecal pH and a significantly higher diversity of the faecal microbiota. In the test group the probiotic B. lactis increased by 100-fold in the stool and was detected in all supplemented infants. BMOS stimulated a marked shift to a bifidobacteriumdominated faecal microbiota via increases in endogenous bifidobacteria (B. longum, B. breve, B. bifidum, B. pseudocatenulatum).

Starter formula enriched in prebiotics and probiotics ensures normal growth of infants and promotes gut health: a randomized clinical trial

“…We have already evaluated the effects of this prebiotic-probiotic mix in infant formula on the gut microbiota in early life, showing modulation of gut microbiota closer to that of breastfed infants (10). The aim of this study was focused on microbiota modulation effect on immune maturation: comparing the rate of infectious diarrhea and other infections.…”

The role of early life nutrition in the establishment of gastrointestinal microbial composition and function

“…Escherichia abundance was also higher in FF than BF infants 28 and decreased at a slower rate over time. 31 Furthermore, other results have indicated E. coli to be dominant across both groups 50 or present in similar total numbers, 51 while Penders et al 16 found this species significantly increased in FF infants at 4 wks of age. Bacteroides abundance has been shown to increase over time in BF infants; however, the timing of initial colonization is variable among infants.…”

“…Many studies have reported that BF infants are colonized with higher proportions of microbes from the phylum Actinobacteria and less Firmicutes than FF infants. 23,25,26,28,33 Other studies report that BF infants have similar levels of Actinobacteria and Firmicutes 28,30 but lower proportions of Bacteroidetes 31,36 and Proteobacteria 26,28 compared to FF infants.…”

“…Increased proportions of Lactobacillus, 25,26,48,54 as well as greater abundances of L. gasseri 28,47 in BF compared to FF infants have been reported, whereas other studies found opposite results 16,52,53 or reported intergroup variability and instability over time. 27,43 A greater prevalence 15 and higher proportion 24 and total counts 16,46 of C. difficile in FF compared to BF infants, as well as, significantly more Peptostreptococcaceae, 31 Akkermansia, 15 Veillonella, and Enterococcus 28 have been described. Escherichia abundance was also higher in FF than BF infants 28 and decreased at a slower rate over time.…”

“…26,49 The fecal microbiota of BF infants is more stable over time, 26,39 and characterized by a lower alpha-diversity compared to FF infants. 15,23,31,33 Exclusive breastfeeding is inversely related to alphadiversity in 3 mo-old infants. 23 Conversely, exclusive breastfeeding and breastfeeding duration, 23 as well as predominant breastfeeding for the first 3 mos, 25 are positively related to alpha-diversity at 12 mos.…”