Feeding the microbiota–gut–brain axis: Nucleotides and their role in early life

Abstract

Nucleotides ingested from breast milk and complementary foods during infancy play a vital role in the development of the immune and nervous system, as well as the maturation of gut function, and are considered a “special dietary nutrient.” Based on the existing research progress and theoretical basis, this review takes the distribution of dietary nucleotides (NTs) in the early life (after birth to the age of 3 years) diet and the in vivo metabolism/absorption process as the starting point and expounds on its potential impact and mechanism of action on early gastrointestinal and brain development. With the understanding of gut microbiota (GM), the interaction between dietary factors and GM has become a focus of food research. It is of great significance to reexamine the biological effects of early dietary nucleotide intake on infant gut–brain development from the perspective of the GM–gut–brain axis. This paper reveals the potential relationship between the NTs–GM–gut–brain axis and provides new ideas and theories for the research and application of NTs in the field of infant nutrition.

Microbiome and its impact on fetal and neonatal brain development: current opinion in pediatrics

“…Contrary to HFD, supplementation of nucleotides, found in human milk, enhanced neuro-maturation in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus in rats. This was mediated by gut microbiota composition and function and correlated to neurodevelopmental phenotypes [32].…”

Dietary Nucleotides Promote Neonatal Rat Microbiota–Gut–Brain Axis Development by Affecting Gut Microbiota Composition and Metabolic Function

“…In comparison, infants fed through alternative methods demonstrated elevated levels of fecal metabolites such as adenine and orotic acid . In our previous study, we found that the intake of dietary NTs may have multiple correlations on the formation of early gut microbiota and brain development …”

“…14 In our previous study, we found that the intake of dietary NTs may have multiple correlations on the formation of early gut microbiota and brain development. 15 The nutrients in milk and early diet are important external factors that influence the healthy development of the GM−gut− brain interface. 16 For example, oligosaccharides and polyunsaturated fatty acids in milk have been directly linked to the development of infants' GM−gut−brain axis and are noted to promote infant brain development, GM formation, and intestinal health.…”