Abstract
Neonates are born with an immature immune system, which develops during the first stages of life. This early immaturity is more acute in preterm newborns. The aim of the present study was to set up a preterm rat model, in which representative biomarkers of innate and adaptive immunity maturation that could be promoted by certain dietary interventions are established. Throughout the study, the body weight was registered. To evaluate the functionality of the intestinal epithelial barrier, in vivo permeability to dextrans was measured and a histomorphometric study was performed. Furthermore, the blood cell count, phagocytic activity of blood leukocytes and plasmatic immunoglobulins (Ig) were determined. Preterm rats showed lower erythrocyte and platelet concentration but a higher count of leukocytes than the term rats. Although there were no changes in the granulocytes’ ability to phagocytize, preterm monocytes had lower phagocytic activity. Moreover, lower plasma IgG and IgM concentrations were detected in preterm rats compared to full-term rats, without affecting IgA. Finally, the intestinal study revealed lower permeability in preterm rats and reduced goblet cell size. Here, we characterized a premature rat model, with differential immune system biomarkers, as a useful tool for immunonutritional studies aimed at boosting the development of the immune system.
Highlights
The length of human pregnancy is about 37−44 weeks [1] and when the neonate is born before the37th week of gestation the newborn is considered premature [2]
In reference to innate immunity, preterm neonates have a lower count of neutrophils and monocytes and a lower cytokine production compared to term infants [11,12]
Throughout the study, as expected, the weight of rats that were born in preterm conditions was Throughout the study, as expected, the weight of rats that were born in preterm conditions was lower than that of the term pups (p < 0.05, Figure 1A), indicating an important effect of the length of lower than that of the term pups (p < 0.05, Figure 1A), indicating an important effect of the length of gestation period on body weight. This decrease has an impact on the body mass index (BMI) at day 10
Summary
The length of human pregnancy is about 37−44 weeks [1] and when the neonate is born before the37th week of gestation the newborn is considered premature [2]. A premature birth is associated with the newborn’s low weight, fragile skin [4], lower neurodevelopment [5], lungs not fully developed with an absence or insufficient production of surfactant [6], immature stomach with lower acidity [4], and higher intestinal permeability with a low microbiota diversity [7]. These deficiencies make the preterm neonate more susceptible to infections and a higher rate of mortality and morbidity in later life [8].
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