Milk Fat Globule Membrane Supplementation in Formula Modulates the Neonatal Gut Microbiome and Normalizes Intestinal Development

Abstract

Breast milk has many beneficial properties and unusual characteristics including a unique fat component, termed milk fat globule membrane (MFGM). While breast milk yields important developmental benefits, there are situations where it is unavailable resulting in a need for formula feeding. Most formulas do not contain MFGM, but derive their lipids from vegetable sources, which differ greatly in size and composition. Here we tested the effects of MFGM supplementation on intestinal development and the microbiome as well as its potential to protect against Clostridium difficile induced colitis. The pup-in-a-cup model was used to deliver either control or MFGM supplemented formula to rats from 5 to 15 days of age; with mother’s milk (MM) reared animals used as controls. While CTL formula yielded significant deficits in intestinal development as compared to MM littermates, addition of MFGM to formula restored intestinal growth, Paneth and goblet cell numbers, and tight junction protein patterns to that of MM pups. Moreover, the gut microbiota of MFGM and MM pups displayed greater similarities than CTL, and proved protective against C. difficile toxin induced inflammation. Our study thus demonstrates that addition of MFGM to formula promotes development of the intestinal epithelium and microbiome and protects against inflammation.

The enduring effects of early‐life stress on the microbiota–gut–brain axis are buffered by dietary supplementation with milk fat globule membrane and a prebiotic blend

“…Previous studies have indicated that MFGM significantly impacts on the gut microbiota (Bhinder et al., ; Le Huerou‐Luron et al., ; Thompson et al., ). In this study, MFGM significantly affected relative abundance levels of different bacteria, with the addition of the prebiotic blend further enhancing this impact.…”

“…MFGM has also been shown to enhance sleep quality, which was related to changes in gut bacteria, and it also modulated the impact of stress on sleep (Thompson et al, 2016). MFGM supplementation has also been associated with antipyretic effects, as it decreased the incidence of middle ear infections (Timby et al, 2014) and is also associated with changes in the oral microbiota composition (Timby et al, 2014) and gastrointestinal development (Bhinder et al, 2017;Demmelmair, Prell, Timby, & Lonnerdal, 2017).…”

Milk Fat Globule Membrane Inhibits NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation and Enhances Intestinal Barrier Function in a Rat Model of Short Bowel

“…The changes in stool consistency of both the SBS and SBS+MFGM groups were in line with the changes in body weight, with no statistical difference detected between the 2 groups. Bhinder et al found the addition of MFGM in formula resulted in increased villus length in jejunum and ileum using a pup‐in‐a‐cup model with the most significant changes in the higher dosage group, but they did not find differences in body weight among the groups . The impact of MFGM on epithelial cell proliferation and body weight might be influenced by different factors, including age, dosage, and model.…”

Microbial orchestra in juvenile idiopathic arthritis: Sounds of disarray?

“…Additionally, Perez et al demonstrated that breast milk contains mononuclear cells carrying bacterial DNA, which the infant uses to train the immune system to recognize these foreign DNA fragments and thus to respond appropriately to microbial challenge . Finally, breast milk contains a fat component called milk fat globule membrane, which is reported to promote tight junction architecture and bactericidal activity and also increase goblet cell numbers …”