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Effects of a formula with a probiotic Bifidobacterium lactis Supplement on the gut microbiota of low birth weight infants

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Abstract

Purpose

Low birth weight (LBW) infants have a less diverse gut microbiota, enriched in potential pathogens, which places them at high risk of systemic inflammation diseases. This study aimed to identify the differences in gut bacterial community structure between LBW infants who received probiotics and LBW infants who did not receive probiotics.

Methods

Forty-one infants were allocated to the non-probiotic group (N group) and 56 infants to the probiotic group (P group), according to whether the formula they received contained a probiotic Bifidobacterium lactis. Gut bacterial composition was identified with sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene in fecal samples collected at 14 days after birth.

Results

There was no significant difference between the alpha diversity of the two groups, while the beta diversity was significantly different (p < 0.05). Our results showed that Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus (both p < 0.05) were enriched in the P group, while Veillonella, Dolosigranulum and Clostridium sensu stricto 1 (all p < 0.05) were enriched in the N group. Predicted metagenome function analysis revealed enhancement of fatty acids, peroxisome, starch, alanine, tyrosine and peroxisome pathways in the P group, and enhancement of plant pathogen, Salmonella and Helicobacter pylori infection pathways in the N group.

Conclusions

Probiotic supplement in formula may affect the composition, stability and function of LBW infants’ gut microbiota. LBW infants who receive probiotic intervention may benefit from gut microbiota that contains more beneficial bacteria.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Beijing Natural Science Foundation (Grant No. S160003). The funding source had no role in the design and conduct of the study; collection, management, analysis and interpretation of the data; preparation, review or approval of the manuscript; and decision to submit the manuscript for publication.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100026, China

    Cheng Chi, Yanxin Wang & Chenghong Yin

  2. College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100083, China

    Yong Xue

  3. Department of Central Laboratory, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100026, China

    Ruixia Liu

  4. CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing, 100101, China

    Na Lv & Baoli Zhu

  5. Department of Neonatology, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100026, China

    Huihui Zeng

  6. School of Medicine, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, 4222, Australia

    Jing Sun

  7. Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, 4222, Australia

    Nicholas Buys

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  1. Cheng Chi
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  2. Yong Xue
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  3. Ruixia Liu
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  5. Na Lv
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  8. Baoli Zhu
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  9. Jing Sun
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  10. Chenghong Yin
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Baoli Zhu, Jing Sun or Chenghong Yin.

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The authors declare that they have no completing interests.

Ethical statement

The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki, and the protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital (No. 2017-KY-027-01). Informed written consent was obtained from the parents of each infant.

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Chi, C., Xue, Y., Liu, R. et al. Effects of a formula with a probiotic Bifidobacterium lactis Supplement on the gut microbiota of low birth weight infants. Eur J Nutr 59, 1493–1503 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-019-02006-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-019-02006-4

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