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Ultra‐High Temperature Treatment and Storage of Infant Formula Induces Dietary Protein Modifications, Gut Dysfunction, and Inflammation in Preterm Pigs
Author(s) -
Sun Jing,
Akıllıoğlu Halise Gül,
AasmulOlsen Karoline,
Ye Yuhui,
Lund Pernille,
Zhao Xiao,
Brunse Anders,
Nielsen Christian Fiil,
Chatterton Dereck E. W.,
Sangild Per Torp,
Lund Marianne N.,
Bering Stine Brandt
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
molecular nutrition and food research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.495
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1613-4133
pISSN - 1613-4125
DOI - 10.1002/mnfr.202200132
Subject(s) - maillard reaction , necrotizing enterocolitis , lactoferrin , infant formula , inflammation , food science , pasteurization , medicine , immunology , physiology , chemistry , biochemistry
Scope Ready‐to‐feed liquid infant formula is increasingly used for preterm infants when human milk is unavailable. These formulas are sterilized by ultra‐high temperature treatment, but heating and storage may reduce bioactivity and increase formation of Maillard reaction products with potential negative consequences for immature newborns. Methods and results Using preterm pigs as a model for sensitive newborn infants, the study tests the intestinal responses of feeding experimental liquid formula within 5 days. A pasteurized formula (PAST) with the same nutrient composition but less protein modifications serves as control to ultra‐high temperature‐treated formula without (UHT) and with prolonged storage (SUHT). Relative to PAST, UHT contains lower levels of lactoferrin and IgG. Additional storage (40 °C, 60 days, SUHT) reduces antimicrobial capacity and increases non‐reducible protein aggregates and Maillard reaction products (up to 13‐fold). Pigs fed SUHT have more diarrhea and show signs of intestinal inflammation (necrotizing enterocolitis) compared with pigs fed PAST and UHT. These clinical effects are accompanied by accumulation of Maillard reaction products, protein cross‐links, and inflammatory responses in the gut. Conclusion The results demonstrate that feeding UHT infant formulas, particularly after prolonged storage, adversely affects gut maturation and function in preterm pigs used as a model of preterm infants.