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Dietary nucleotides do not alter erythrocyte long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in formula-fed term infants

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Lipids

Abstract

There have been conflicting reports regarding the effectiveness of dietary nucleotides (NT) to regulate tissue desaturases and hence stimulate accumulation of both n−6 and n−3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA). The aim of this study was to examine the effect of NT-supplemented cow's milk-based formula on erythrocyte phospholipid FA status in a large randomized controlled trial involving a well-nourished infant population born at term. Formula-fed infants were allocated to control formula with an innate level of NT at 10 mg/L (n=102), or formula fortified with NT at 34 mg/L (n=98). A parallel group of breastfed infants was included as a reference. Peripheral blood samples were collected by venipuncture at 7 mon of age and erythrocyte phospholipid FA determined by capillary GC. Erythrocyte LCPUFA levels did not differe between the NT-supplemented and control formula groups and were reduced in both groups compared with breastfed infants. We conclude that there is no induction of LCPUFa accumulation in erythrocyte phospholipids of term, formula-fed infants following 7 mon of NT supplementation.

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Abbreviations

ALA:

α-linolenic acid

LA:

linoleic acid

LCPUFA:

long-chain PUFA

NT:

nucleotide

RCT:

randomized controlled trial

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Child Health Research Institute, Flinders Medical Centre and Flinders University, 5042, Bedford Park, South Australia

    Robert A. Gibson & Joanna S. Hawkes

  2. Child Health Research Institute, Women's and Children's Hospital (WCH), 72 King William Rd., 5006, North Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

    Robert A. Gibson & Maria Makrides

  3. University of Adelaide Department of Paediatrics, Women's and Children's Hospital (WCH), 72 King William Rd., 5006, North Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

    Robert A. Gibson & Maria Makrides

Authors
  1. Robert A. Gibson
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  2. Joanna S. Hawkes
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  3. Maria Makrides
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Correspondence to Maria Makrides.

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Gibson, R.A., Hawkes, J.S. & Makrides, M. Dietary nucleotides do not alter erythrocyte long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in formula-fed term infants. Lipids 40, 631–634 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11745-005-1425-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11745-005-1425-x

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