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A Dietary Prebiotic Blend of Polydextrose and Galactooligosaccharides with Bioactive Whey Protein Fractions Affects Piglet Intestinal Function and Brain Microstructure
Author(s) -
Alexander Lindsey,
Mudd Austin,
Berding Kirsten,
Waworuntu Rosaline,
Berg Brian,
Donovan Sharon,
Dilger Ryan
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.29.1_supplement.265.4
Subject(s) - polydextrose , prebiotic , white matter , disaccharidase , food science , small intestine , whey protein , medicine , biology , endocrinology , chemistry , magnetic resonance imaging , radiology
Identifying nutritional strategies to optimize early‐life development is a relevant and important focus of pediatric nutrition research. The piglet has been accepted as the best pre‐clinical model of infant development. Beginning at 2 d of age, 24 male pigs received either a control formula (CONT) or test formula containing a prebiotic blend of polydextrose and galactooligosaccharides with bioactive whey protein fractions (TEST) for 30 days. Neuroimaging was used to quantify brain composition and structure while intestinal histomorphology, vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) expression, and disaccharidase activity were measured as markers of gut development and function. Pigs fed TEST had greater (P < 0.05) jejunal lactase activity, increased (P < 0.05) ileal VIP expression and small intestine morphology comparable to CONT. Analysis of brain microstructure by diffusion tensor imaging indicated lower (P < 0.05) mean and radial diffusivities values in the internal capsule (IC) of TEST‐fed pigs, suggesting advanced white matter development in TEST‐fed pigs. Since the IC is one of the first subcortical structures to myelinate, these data may indicate advanced brain maturation in the TEST‐fed pigs. In conclusion, a combination of nutritional technologies elicited changes in gut functions and brain microstructure that may translate into functional benefits. However, future research is warranted to explore how these changes may impact other aspects of piglet development. Supported by Mead Johnson Nutrition.