Supplementation With 2′-FL and scGOS/lcFOS Ameliorates Rotavirus-Induced Diarrhea in Suckling Rats

Abstract

Rotavirus (RV) is considered to be the most common cause of gastroenteritis among infants aged less than 5 years old. Human milk bioactive compounds have the ability to modulate the diarrheic process caused by several intestinal pathogens. This study aimed to evaluate the potential protective role of a specific human milk oligosaccharide, 2′-fucosyllactose (2′-FL), a mixture of the prebiotic short-chain galacto-oligosaccharides and long-chain fructo-oligosaccharides 9:1 (GOS/FOS) and their combination (2′-FL+GOS/FOS) on RV-induced diarrhea in suckling rats. The nutritional intervention was performed from the second to the sixteenth day of life by oral gavage and on day 5 an RV strain was orally administered to induce infection. Fecal samples were scored daily to assess the clinical pattern of severity, incidence and duration of diarrhea. Blood and tissues were obtained at day 8 and 16 in order to evaluate the effects on the epithelial barrier and the mucosal and systemic immune responses. In the assessment of severity, incidence and duration of diarrhea, both 2′-FL and GOS/FOS displayed a beneficial effect in terms of amelioration. However, the mechanisms involved seemed to differ: 2′-FL displayed a direct ability to promote intestinal maturation and to enhance neonatal immune responses, while GOS/FOS induced an intestinal trophic effect and an RV-blocking action. The combination of 2′-FL and GOS/FOS showed additive effects in some variables. Therefore, it could be a good strategy to add these compounds in combination to infant formulas, to protect against human RV-induced diarrhea in children.

Strain-Specific Probiotic Properties of Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli for the Prevention of Diarrhea Caused by Rotavirus in a Preclinical Model

“…Diarrhea was studied in terms of severity and incidence variables ( Figure 2 and Table 2). RV infection resulted in a mild diarrhea in suckling rats, with DI scores around 2-3, showing the peak of severity (MSd) and incidence (MId) on day 8 and an overall prevalence of diarrhea (%DA) of 88.9%, similarly to previous studies [13,56]. The B. breve M-16V, L. acidophilus NCFM, and L. helveticus R0052 groups displayed clinical amelioration of severity (DI) and incidence (%DA) during the peak of The analysis of morphometric variables was performed at the end of the study (Table 1).…”

“…The viral shedding was determined by ELISA at 1 DPI (Figure 4), which corresponded to the day of maximum elimination of RV [13,56]. All RV-infected groups displayed higher RV elimination compared to the REF group (p < 0.05), which acted as the background signal (no RV infection).…”

Associations of Breast Milk Microbiota, Immune Factors, and Fatty Acids in the Rat Mother–Offspring Pair

“…The quantification of Ig (IgM, IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b, IgG2c, and IgA) in plasma of pups (n = 16, 2-3 pups/litter) and in plasma and lactic serum of dams (n = 6) was performed at the end of the study, as previously described [24]. Briefly, specific color-coded capture beads were bound to the analyte of interest.…”

“…Assay sensitivity was as follows: 0.02 ng/mL for IgM; 0.78 ng/mL for IgG1; 0.02 ng/mL for IgG2a; 0.11 ng/mL for IgG2b; 0.19 pg/mL for IgG2c; and 0.48 pg/mL for IgA. Similarly, the quantification of cytokines (IFNγ, TNFα, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-12) in breast milk was performed, as previously described [24].…”

Prebiotic components of breast milk and the possibility of repeating their effects in infant formulas

“…Наиболее убедительный и клинически доказанный эффект от применения детских смесей, содержащих пребиотический комплекс галактои фруктоолигосахаридов, -их стимулирующее действие на рост и метаболическую активность бифидобактерий. Имеются сообщения о положительном комбинированном применении 2'-FL и галакто/ фруктоолигосахаридов против ротавирусной диареи у новорожденных крысят, что, как считают авторы, может быть основанием для применения такой комбинации пребиотиков в детских смесях для защиты детей от подобного рода инфекции [45].…”