P0907 EFFECTS OF ENTERAL ADMINISTRATION OF BIFIDOBACTERIUM BREVE ON FECAL LACTIC ACID AND SHORT CHAIN FATTY ACIDS IN LOW BIRTH WEIGHT INFANTS

Abstract

Introduction: Fecal lactic acid (LA) and short chain fatty acids (SCFA) are produced from fermented unabsorbed carbohydrates by colonic bacterial flora. Recent studies show LA and SCFAs have anti-inflammatory and immunological effects on the gastrointestinal tract. It is known that the differences of intestinal microflora are reflected of the profile of fecal SCFAs. On the other hand, a previous study reported the colonic luminal concentration of butyric acid which is one of the SCFA might be a factor in the etiology of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). However, very few studies have been carried out about the beneficial effect of probiotics on fecal SCFA profile especially in premature infants. The aim of this study is to examine the effect of enteral administration of Bifidobacterium breve (B. breve) on fecal LA and SCFA profile in low birth weight infants (LBWI). Methods: Forty eight infants were enrolled in the study, who were divided into three groups depending on their birth weight; 11 term infants (Group I; mean birth weight, 3062g; mean gestational age, 39.5 weeks), 21 LBWI (Group II; mean birth weight, 1812g; mean gestational age, 33.7 weeks) and 16 very low birth weight infants (VLBWI) (Group III; mean birth weight, 1277g; mean gestational age, 31.1 weeks). Fecal samples were collected at three periods; 1–7, 8–14 and 21–35 days of age. LA and SCFA (aceteic acid; AA, propionic acid and butyric acid; BA) concentration were analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography. Additionally both of Group II and Group III were divided into two groups; B. breve administration group (B+; n= 11 in Group II, 11 in Group III) and control group (B− n=10 in Group II, 5 in Group III), respectively. A dose of 1.6×108 cells were administrated to B. breve group twice per day from 1 day of age before feeding. Results: Fecal AA concentrations on 21–35 days were significantly higher than those on 1–7 days in Group I and II. On 21–35 days of age, (1) fecal LA and AA concentrations of Group I were significantly higher than those of Group III (p<0.01, p<0.05, respectively); (2) the fecal AA ratio to total fecal SCFA in B+ infants was significantly higher than that in B− infants in Group II and Group III (p<0.05); (3) the concentration and ratio of fecal BA in B+ infants were significantly lower than those in B− infants in Group III (p<0.01). Conclusion: Our results indicated that enteral administration of B. breve augmented the fecal level of LA and AA in LBWI. Furthermore it reduced the level of BA in VLBWI but not in LBWI. These differences might be associated with the colonization by bifidobacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. Our study suggests that early administration of B. breve to VLBWI prevents them from the development of NEC.