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Iron in Micronutrient Powder (MNP) May Adversely Affect the Gut Microbiome in Kenyan Infants
Author(s) -
Tang Minghua,
Frank Daniel N.,
Hendricks Audrey E.,
Culbertson Diana L.,
Esamai Fabian,
Krebs Nancy F.
Publication year - 2017
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.31.1_supplement.965.26
Subject(s) - micronutrient , feces , iron deficiency , bifidobacterium , vitamin , biology , food science , bacteroidetes , proteobacteria , zoology , lactobacillus , bacteria , physiology , microbiology and biotechnology , medicine , chemistry , anemia , biochemistry , 16s ribosomal rna , genetics , organic chemistry , fermentation
Objective To test the effect of iron in multiple micronutrient powder on the gut microbiome in 6‐month‐old Kenyan infants Methods This was a double blind, randomized controlled trial of home fortification with MNP containing Vitamin A, Vitamin C, folic acid, and zinc and with or without iron. Six‐month‐old, non‐anemic predominantly breastfed Kenyan infants living in a rural malaria endemic area were randomized to consume: 1) MNP containing 12.5 mg iron (MNP+ Fe, n=13); 2) MNP containing no iron (MNP‐Fe, n=13); or 3) Placebo powder (CONTROL, n=7), from 6 to 9 months of age. Blood and fecal samples were collected at baseline and end of the intervention. Inflammation markers were analyzed in the blood samples and 16S rRNA sequence analysis was conducted in fecal samples. Results At baseline, the most abundant phylum was Proteobacteria (37.6% of sequences), with Escherichia accounting for 29%, and was the most abundant bacterium at the genus level. At the end of the intervention, both microbiome richness and diversity had increased with age, as expected. The relative abundance of Escherichia decreased in MNP‐Fe (‐16.05 ± 6.9%, P = 0.05) and CONTROL (−19.75 ± 4.5%, p = 0.01), but not in the MNP+Fe group (P = 0.41). The second most abundant genus at baseline was Bifidobacterium (18%), the relative abundance of which decreased in MNP+Fe (−6.38 ± 2.5%, P =0.02) and CONTROL (−8.05 ± 1.46%, P = 0.01), but not in the MNP‐Fe group (P = 0.44). No significant differences were observed over time or between groups in markers of inflammation, including CRP, TNF‐α, IL‐6, IL‐8, AGP and fecal calprotectin, although level were generally elevated relative to normal ranges. Conclusions MNP fortification of complementary foods over 3 months in infants can alter the gut microbiome. Consistent with previous research, addition of iron to the MNP may adversely affect the colonization of potential beneficial microbes (e.g., bifidobacteria) and foster the growth of potential pathogens (e.g., Escherichia spp .). Support or Funding Information Colorado CTSI, IAEA and NIH (K24 DK083772)