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ARS Home » Plains Area » Houston, Texas » Children's Nutrition Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #267459
Title: Bovine colostrum against gut inflammatory lesions in preterm pigs

Author
item STOY, A C - University Of Denmark
item THYMANN, T - University Of Copenhagen
item STOLL, B - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)
item SANGILD, P - University Of Copenhagen

Submitted to: Acta Paediatrica
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/9/2009
Publication Date: 10/9/2009
Citation: Stoy, A.F., Thymann, T., Stoll, B., Sangild, P. 2009. Bovine colostrum against gut inflammatory lesions in preterm pigs [abstract]. Acta Paediatrica. 98(Suppl.460):226.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Bovine colostrum is rich in bioactive factors and may prevent necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in pre-term neonates. We hypothesized that both native and sterilized, heat-treated colostrum protect neonates against NEC following preterm birth and formula feeding. Further, we aimed to investigate if production and sterilization procedures of colostrum affect its possible beneficial effects on NEC in preterm pigs. Preterm, caesarean-delivered pigs were given total parenteral nutrition (TPN) for 2 days followed by two feedings (15 mL/kg) of formula (F) to induce pro-inflammatory reactions. Subsequently, pigs were fed enterally with gamma-irradiated colostrum (F-gammaCOLOS, n = 14), colostrum produced from reconstituted gamma-irradiated powder (F-gamma POWDER, n = 8) or colostrum produced from gamma-irradiated + pasteurised reconstituted powder (F-gammaPASTPOWDER, n = 9). Finally, one group received only formula (negative control, FORMULA, n = 14) and another group only gamma - irradiated colostrum (positive control, COLOS, n = 6). NEC incidence was decreasing in the order: FORMULA (71%), F-gammaCOLOS (65%), COLOS (50%), F-gammaPOWDER (38%), and F-gammaPASTPOWDER (33%) (p < 0.01 forFORMULAvs. F-gammaPASTPOWDER). Activity of digestive enzymes was lower in FORMULA compared with the other groups which were similar (P < 0.001 across 4 enzymes). Bovine colostrum is capable of protecting the formula-sensitized preterm pig intestine and sterilization did not reduce this effect. Bovine colostrum may be an alternative source of enteral nutrition for diet-sensitive preterm infants when mother's milk is not available.