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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #146226
Title: GENISTEIN AT A CONCENTRATION PRESENT IN SOY INFANT FORMULA INHIBITS INTESTINAL CELL PROLIFERATION IN PIGLETS

Author
item CHEN, AN-CHIAN - UNIV OF IL
item Berhow, Mark
item TAPPENDEN, KELLY - UNIV OF IL
item DONOVAN, SHARON - UNIV OF IL

Submitted to: Experimental Biology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/15/2003
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Currently 15% of U.S. infants are fed soy formulas containing up to 14 mg genistein/L, which is sufficient to inhibit intestinal cell proliferation in vitro. Our goal was to investigate the impact of oral genistein on intestinal development in vivo. Piglets (n=24) were fed sow milk-replacer (MR), MR + 1 mg/L genistein (LG), or MR + 14 mg/L genistein (HG) for 10 d. Formula intake, body weight gain and intestinal weight and length were similar in all groups. Genistein was detected in serum of LG and HG piglets, with the highest concentration in the HG group. Jejunum and ileum showed no significant differences in functional electrophysiological capacities by Ussing chamber analyses, likewise for lactase and sucrase activities. Jejunal and ileal villus heights were similar, but investigation of cell dynamics revealed that the HG group had a lower percentage (p=0.001) of PCNA positive jejunal crypt cells (12% v. 25% of crypt cells) than MR and LG, indicating decreased proliferation. Additionally, enterocyte migration distance in the HG group was 20% less than the MR and LG groups (p=0.1). Thus, consumption of formula containing HG for 10 d reduced enterocyte proliferation and migration, but not other growth or functional parameters. It is possible that continued consumption of HG formula could compromise neonatal intestinal growth, whereas the LG formula would not negatively impact intestinal development (Funded by IL C-FAR).