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Oligofructose and experimental model of neonatal necrotising enterocolitis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 March 2007

M.-J. Butel ,
A.-J. Waligora-Dupriet  and
O. Szylit
M.-J. Butel*
Affiliation:
UFR des Sciences Pharmaceutiques et Biologiques, Laboratoire de Microbiologie, 4 avenue de l'Observatoire, Université René Descartes, F-75270 Paris Cedex, 06, France
A.-J. Waligora-Dupriet
Affiliation:
UFR des Sciences Pharmaceutiques et Biologiques, Laboratoire de Microbiologie, 4 avenue de l'Observatoire, Université René Descartes, F-75270 Paris Cedex, 06, France
O. Szylit
Affiliation:
Unité d'Ecologie et Physiologie du Système Digestif, Equipe Métabolites Bactériens et Santé, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Jouy-en Josas, France
*
*Corresponding author: Dr M-J. Butel, tel + 33 (0) 1 53 73 99 11, fax + 33 0 (1) 53 73 99 23, email mjbutel@pharmacie.univ-paris5.fr
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Abstract

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The gut of preterm neonates is colonised with a paucity of bacterial species originating more from the environment than from the mother. Furthermore, a delayed colonisation by bifidobacteria promotes colonisation by potentially pathogenic bacteria. This may contribute towards the development of neonatal necrotising enterocolitis (NEC). The physiopathology of NEC is still unclear but immaturity of the gut, enteral feeding and bacterial colonisation are all thought to be involved. None of the current preventive treatments are considered satisfactory. Modulating the autochthonous microflora by probiotics or prebiotics could be a more reliable approach to prevention. Using gnotobiotic quails as an experimental model of NEC we have shown that onset of intestinal lesions requires a combination of low endogenous lactase activity, lactose in diet, and colonisation by lactose-fermenting bacteria such as the clostridia. The protective role of bifidobacteria was demonstrated in this model through a decrease in clostridial populations and in butyric acid. Oligofructose dietary supplementation was shown to enhance this effect with an increase in the bifidobacterial level and consequently a greater decrease in clostridia. However, oligofructose was unable to promote a bifidobacterial acquisition when the microflora was initially deprived of this group. Nevertheless, oligofructose can act as an anti-infective agent and decrease the occurrence or severity of the lesions depending on the bacteria involved. According to these results and to the fact that oligosaccharides are a major component of breast milk, the addition of oligofructose in formula milks may be a nutritional approach to favouring colonisation by a beneficial flora.

Keywords

Premature infantsNecrotising enterocolitisOligosaccharidesGut flora
Type
Research Article
Information
British Journal of Nutrition , Volume 87 , Issue S2 , May 2002 , pp. S213 - S219
Copyright
Copyright © The Nutrition Society 2002

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