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Effect of Pre- and Perinatal Factors and Infant Nutrition on the Intestinal Microbiota

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A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Pediatric Nutrition".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 April 2023) | Viewed by 13683

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Igor Łoniewski

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Guest Editor

Department of Biochemical Sciences, Department of Human Nutrition and Metabolomics, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 71-460 Szczecin, Poland
Interests: microbiota; metabolome; microbiome; intestinal barrier; probiotics; prebiotics

Prof. Dr. Beata Łoniewska

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Guest Editor

Department of Neonatology and Intensive Care, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
Interests: neonatology; microbiota; neonatal nutrition; neonatal intensive care; breastfeeding; human milk

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The intestinal microbiota is an essential determinant of human health. It is responsible for food digestion and plays a significant role in human development, metabolic, immunological, and psychological processes. Research on the gut microbiota of infants and young children is still quite limited. Children are already in contact with microorganisms in foetal life, and these interactions increase rapidly after birth and during breastfeeding. The increasing number of caesarean section births, antibiotics and other drugs and formula feeding undoubtedly affect the baby's microbiome and may affect future health. Therefore, it is essential to study factors that may affect the microbiome, the immune system, or the intestinal barrier in early life. It is also important to implement early prevention and modification of the microbiome to prevent its alterations' adverse consequences. In this Special Issue of Nutrients, we would like to present reviews and original articles covering the latest developments in studying the effects of pre- and perinatal factors (nutrition, body mass, medication, lifestyle, mode of delivery, etc.) and infant nutrition on the intestinal microbiota. We hope that our Special Issue will contribute to deepening our knowledge in this area and provide the basis for creating new prophylactic and therapeutic standards.

Dr. Igor Łoniewski
Prof. Dr. Beata Łoniewska
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

microbiota
newborn
development
nutrition
delivery

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Editorial

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4 pages, 211 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Effect of Pre- and Perinatal Factors and Infant Nutrition on the Intestinal Microbiota

by Beata Łoniewska and Igor Łoniewski

Nutrients 2023, 15(18), 3977; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nu15183977 - 14 Sep 2023

Viewed by 684

Abstract

The intestinal microbiota is an essential determinant of human health [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effect of Pre- and Perinatal Factors and Infant Nutrition on the Intestinal Microbiota)

Research

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11 pages, 3662 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Prebiotic Supplementation during Lactation Affects Microbial Colonization in Postnatal-Growth-Restricted Mice

by Lucie Marousez, Léa Chantal Tran, Edwina Micours, Matthieu Antoine, Frédéric Gottrand, Jean Lesage and Delphine Ley

Nutrients 2023, 15(12), 2771; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nu15122771 - 16 Jun 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 948

Abstract

Background: An inadequate perinatal nutritional environment can alter the maturation of the intestinal barrier and promote long-term pathologies such as metabolic syndrome or chronic intestinal diseases. The intestinal microbiota seems to play a determining role in the development of the intestinal barrier. In the present study, we investigated the impact of consuming an early postnatal prebiotic fiber (PF) on growth, intestinal morphology and the microbiota at weaning in postnatal-growth-restricted mice (PNGR). Methods: Large litters (15 pups/mother) were generated from FVB/NRj mice to induce PNGR at postnatal day 4 (PN4) and compared to control litters (CTRL, 8 pups/mother). PF (a resistant dextrin) or water was orally administered once daily to the pups from PN8 to PN20 (3.5 g/kg/day). Intestinal morphology was evaluated at weaning (PN21) using the ileum and colon. Microbial colonization and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production were investigated using fecal and cecal contents. Results: At weaning, the PNGR mice showed decreased body weight and ileal crypt depth compared to the CTRL. The PNGR microbiota was associated with decreased proportions of the Lachnospiraceae and Oscillospiraceae families and the presence of the Akkermansia family and Enterococcus genus compared to the CTRL pups. The propionate concentrations were also increased with PNGR. While PF supplementation did not impact intestinal morphology in the PNGR pups, the proportions of the Bacteroides and Parabacteroides genera were enriched, but the proportion of the Proteobacteria phylum was reduced. In the CTRL pups, the Akkermansia genus (Verrucomicrobiota phylum) was present in the PF-supplemented CTRL pups compared to the water-supplemented ones. Conclusions: PNGR alters intestinal crypt maturation in the ileum at weaning and gut microbiota colonization. Our data support the notion that PF supplementation might improve gut microbiota establishment during the early postnatal period. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effect of Pre- and Perinatal Factors and Infant Nutrition on the Intestinal Microbiota)

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22 pages, 1756 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of Fecal Short-Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs) in Healthy Children during the First Two Years of Life: An Observational Prospective Cohort Study

by Beata Łoniewska, Magda Fraszczyk-Tousty, Piotr Tousty, Karolina Skonieczna-Żydecka, Dominika Maciejewska-Markiewicz and Igor Łoniewski

Nutrients 2023, 15(2), 367; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nu15020367 - 11 Jan 2023

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3280

Abstract

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are important metabolites of the gut microbiota. The aim is to analyze the influence of perinatal factors, which can affect the gut microbiota, on the concentrations of fecal SCFAs over the first two years of life. Gas chromatography was used to analyze SCFA in a total of 456 fecal samples from 86 children. Total SCFA concentrations increased until 12 months and stabilized after that. Antibiotic treatment during pregnancy was associated with an increase in acetic acid, propionic acid and total SCFA in meconium and a decrease in the same SCFAs at 6 months. Butyric acid was increased after Caesarean delivery until 1 month. In formula-fed children, propionic acid (at 1 month) and butyric acid and total SCFA (at 12 months) were increased. Acetic and linear butyric acids and total SCFAs were also increased at 12 months in children born vaginally that were also formula-fed. Higher butyric acid was observed in children of mothers with normal pre-pregnancy weight and adequate weight gain during pregnancy. Butyric acid was also elevated in 6-month-old infants with a higher body weight (≥85th percentile). Acetic acid concentrations were significantly higher in 2-year-old females vs. males. We conclude that perinatal factors are linked to changes in fecal SCFAs and further long-term epidemiological studies are warranted. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effect of Pre- and Perinatal Factors and Infant Nutrition on the Intestinal Microbiota)

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13 pages, 2952 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Perinatal Propionate Supplementation Protects Adult Male Offspring from Maternal Chronic Kidney Disease-Induced Hypertension

by You-Lin Tain, Chih-Yao Hou, Guo-Ping Chang-Chien, Su-Fan Lin and Chien-Ning Hsu

Nutrients 2022, 14(16), 3435; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nu14163435 - 21 Aug 2022

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2357

Abstract

Emerging evidence supports that early-life disturbance of gut microbiota has an impact on adult disease in later life. Offspring hypertension can be programmed by maternal chronic kidney disease (CKD). Conversely, perinatal use of gut microbiota-targeted therapy has been implemented to reverse programming processes and prevent hypertension. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), the major gut microbiota-derived metabolites, can be applied as postbiotics. Propionate, one of predominant SCFAs, has been shown to have antihypertensive property. We examined whether perinatal propionate supplementation can prevent offspring hypertension induced by maternal CKD. CKD was induced by chow supplemented with 0.5% adenine for 3 weeks before pregnancy. Propionate (P) was supplemented at 200 mmol/L in drinking water during pregnancy and lactation. Male offspring were divided into four groups (n = 7–8/group): control, CKD, control+propionate (CP), and CKD+propionate (CKDP). Maternal CKD-induced offspring hypertension was reversed by perinatal propionate supplementation. The protective effects of perinatal propionate treatment were related to increased propionate-generating bacteria Clostridium spp. and plasma propionate level, increased expression of renal G protein-coupled receptor 41 (GPR41, a SCFA receptor), augmentation of α-diversity, and shifts in gut microbiota composition. In summary, our results highlight that maternal CKD-induced offspring hypertension can be prevented by the use of gut microbial metabolite SCFAs in early life, which could shed light on the prevention of the current hypertension pandemic. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effect of Pre- and Perinatal Factors and Infant Nutrition on the Intestinal Microbiota)

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11 pages, 1822 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Minimal Effects of Medium-Chain Triglyceride Supplementation on the Intestinal Microbiome Composition of Premature Infants: A Single-Center Pilot Study

by Jesús A. Romo, Amanda B. Arsenault, Sonia S. Laforce-Nesbitt, Joseph M. Bliss and Carol A. Kumamoto

Nutrients 2022, 14(10), 2159; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nu14102159 - 22 May 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3064

Abstract

Compared to term infants, the microbiota of preterm infants is less diverse and often enriched for potential pathogens (e.g., members of the family Enterobacteriaceae). Additionally, antibiotics are frequently given to preterm infants, further destabilizing the microbiota and increasing the risk of fungal infections. In a previous communication, our group showed that supplementation of the premature infant diet with medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil reduced the fungal burden of Candida spp. in the gastrointestinal tract. The objective of this study was to determine whether MCT supplementation impacts the bacterial component of the microbiome. Pre-term infants (n = 17) receiving enteral feedings of either infant formula (n = 12) or human milk (n = 5) were randomized to MCT supplementation (n = 9) or no supplementation (n = 8). Fecal samples were taken at randomization and prior to MCT supplementation (Week 0), on days 5–7 (Week 1) and day 21 (Week 3). After DNA extraction from samples, the QIIME2 pipeline was utilized to measure community diversity and composition (genera and phyla). Our findings show that MCT supplementation did not significantly alter microbiota diversity or composition in the gastrointestinal tract. Importantly, there were no significant changes in the family Enterobacteriaceae, suggesting that MCT supplementation did not enrich for potential pathogens. MCT holds promise as a therapeutic intervention for reducing fungal colonization without significant impact on the bacterial composition of the host gastrointestinal tract. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effect of Pre- and Perinatal Factors and Infant Nutrition on the Intestinal Microbiota)

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18 pages, 2983 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Embryonic Exposure to Tryptophan Yields Bullying Victimization via Reprogramming the Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis in a Chicken Model

by Xiaohong Huang, Jiaying Hu, Haining Peng and Heng-wei Cheng

Nutrients 2022, 14(3), 661; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nu14030661 - 04 Feb 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2582

Abstract

Maternal metabolic disorder during early pregnancy may give rise to emotional and behavioral disorders in the child, vulnerable to bullying. Placental tryptophan fluctuation consequently disrupts offspring gut microbiome and brain neurogenesis with long-lasting physiological and social behavioral impacts. The aim of this study was to examine the hypothesis that the excess gestational tryptophan may affect children’s mental and physical development via modifying the microbiota-gut-brain axis, which lays the foundation of their mental status. Chicken embryo was employed due to its robust microbiota and independence of maternal influences during embryogenesis. The results indicated that embryonic tryptophan exposure reduced body weight and aggressiveness in the male offspring before and during adolescence. Additionally, the relative gut length and crypt depth were increased, while the villus/crypt ratio was decreased in tryptophan treated roosters, which was corresponding to the changes in the cecal microbiota composition. Furthermore, the catecholamine concentrations were increased in tryptophan group, which may be associated with the alterations in the gut microbiome and the gut-brain axis’s function. These changes may underlie the sociometric status of bullying; clarify how gestational tryptophan fluctuation compromises bullying and provide a strategy to prevent bullying by controlling dietary tryptophan and medication therapy during pregnancy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effect of Pre- and Perinatal Factors and Infant Nutrition on the Intestinal Microbiota)

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