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

Abstract

Nutritional interventions targeting the microbiota–gut–brain axis are proposed to modulate stress‐induced dysfunction of physiological processes and brain development. Maternal separation (MS) in rats induces long‐term alterations to behaviour, pain responses, gut microbiome and brain neurochemistry. In this study, the effects of dietary interventions (milk fat globule membrane [MFGM] and a polydextrose/galacto‐oligosaccharide prebiotic blend) were evaluated. Diets were provided from postnatal day 21 to both non‐separated and MS offspring. Spatial memory, visceral sensitivity and stress reactivity were assessed in adulthood. Gene transcripts associated with cognition and stress and the caecal microbiota composition were analysed. MS‐induced visceral hypersensitivity was ameliorated by MFGM and to greater extent with the combination of MFGM and prebiotic blend. Furthermore, spatial learning and memory were improved by prebiotics and MFGM alone and with the combination. The prebiotic blend and the combination of the prebiotics and MFGM appeared to facilitate return to baseline with regard to HPA axis response to the restraint stress, which can be beneficial in times where coping mechanisms to stressful events are required. Interestingly, the combination of MFGM and prebiotic reduced the long‐term impact of MS on a marker of myelination in the prefrontal cortex. MS affected the microbiota at family level only, while MFGM, the prebiotic blend and the combination influenced abundance at family and genus level as well as influencing beta‐diversity levels. In conclusion, intervention with MFGM and prebiotic blend significantly impacted the composition of the microbiota as well as ameliorating some of the long‐term effects of early‐life stress.

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG soluble mediators ameliorate early life stress-induced visceral hypersensitivity and changes in spinal cord gene expression

“…While more mechanistic investigations are necessary, it is possible that changes in the abundance of Parabacteroides may play a role in the beneficial impact of dietary interventions on behavior. This is in line with our previous findings related to the effects of a blend of prebiotics (polydextrose/galacto-oligosaccharide prebiotic blend) positively influencing behaviour and brain gene expression while also increasing the abundance of parabacteroides [65].…”

Prebiotic administration modulates gut microbiota and faecal short-chain fatty acid concentrations but does not prevent chronic intermittent hypoxia-induced apnoea and hypertension in adult rats

“…There is a growing interest in developing strategies to manipulate the microbiota as a potential therapeutic intervention in the treatment of cardiorespiratory disease. Rodent and human studies have revealed that prebiotic administration has positive impacts on brain neurochemistry and functions [ 30 , [41] , [42] , [43] , [44] ]. Moreover, prebiotic feeding prevented the development of hypertension in a rat model of OSA [33] .…”

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

“…The potential contributions to the infant immune system by MFGM and its individual components, such as lactadherin and gangliosides, have been reviewed [5]. The most commonly reported immune modulatory effects consist of shifts in balance favoring anti-inflammatory over inflammatory cytokines [134][135][136], providing protection from inflammatory damages within the intestine [114][115][116][117]137], and modulating the gut microbiome [109,[118][119][120][121][122]138,139]. The role of MFGM in modulating the microbiome is still currently an ongoing discussion, as many of the studies cited have multiple nutritional interventions (other prebiotics or different fat sources).…”