The addition of polydextrose and galactooligossacharide to formula does not affect barrier function or bacterial translocation in neonatal piglets

Abstract

The microbiota of breastfed and formula‐fed infants differ, largely due to the prebiotic activity of oligosaccharides in human milk. While there is interest in supplementing infant formulas with prebiotics, some studies suggest that prebiotics may increase bacterial translocation (BT). Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the impact of polydextrose (PDX) and galactooligossacharide (GOS), on intestinal BT in neonatal piglets. Colostrum‐deprived piglets (n=36) were randomized to receive total enteral nutrition as formula (TEN); TEN+GOS (4 g/L), TEN+PDX (4 g/L) or TEN+GOS+PDX (2 g/L each) for 7 days. An additional group of piglets (n=8) was placed on total parenteral nutrition (TPN) as a positive control. Blood, spleen, liver and mesenteric lymph nodes were cultured for aerobic (MacConkey and Trypic Soy + 5% sheep blood) and anaerobic (Wilkins‐Chalgren, Bacteroides Bile Esculin and Lactobacillus Agars) bacteria. Bacterial culturing demonstrated significant BT of Enterobacteriaceae, fastidious anaerobes and fastidious aerobes in TPN piglets. In contrast, BT was insignificant in TEN regardless of the presence of prebiotics. Ileal and colonic villus height and width were not affected by prebiotic supplementation (p<0.05), but were affected by TPN. Our study shows that the addition of PDX and GOS to infant formula does not adversely impact BT. (Supported by Mead Johnson Nutritionals)