title: Effect of providing a formula supplemented with long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids on immunity in full-term neonates.
abstract: To determine the effect of feeding formula containing long-chain PUFA (LCP) on immune function, healthy term infants were randomised at age 2 weeks to either a standard term formula (Formula; n 14) or the same formula supplemented with the LCP 20 : 4n-6 and 22 : 6n-3 (Formula+LCP; n 16). Peripheral blood was collected at 2 and 6 weeks to measure immune cell response (the rate of [3H]thymidine uptake and cytokine production after stimulation with phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)). Compared with cells from infants receiving only human milk (HM), the rate of [3H]thymidine uptake in response to PHA, but not IL-2 production, was lower for Formula+LCP infants (P < 0.05). Compared with HM-fed infants, Formula-fed infants (but not Formula+LCP infants) produced more TNF-alpha (unstimulated) and had a fewer CD3+CD44+ cells before stimulation and fewer CD11c+ cells post-stimulation (P < 0.05). However, compared with Formula-fed infants, the Formula+LCP infants had an immune cell distribution (higher percentage CD3+CD44+ and CD4+CD28+ cells) and cytokine profile (lower production of TNF-alpha post-stimulation) that did not differ from HM infants. Additionally, it was found that feeding infants formula during the first 10 d of life influenced immune function. These infants had a higher percentage of CD3+, CD4+CD28+, and lower percentage of CD14+ cells and produced more TNF-alpha and interferon-gamma after PHA stimulation than HM-fed infants (P < 0.05). These results demonstrate that early diet influences both the presence of specific cell types and function of infant blood immune cells. Since many diseases have a strong immunological component, these immune changes may be of physiological importance to the developing infant.
authors.affiliation: Nutrition and Metabolism Research Group, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2P5, Canada. Catherine.field@ualberta.ca
authors.forename: Catherine J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Field
authors.forename: John E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Van Aerde
authors.forename: Lindsay E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: M Thomas
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Clandinin
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000941:Antigens / Q000494:pharmacology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6 / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D041943:Infant Formula / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007231:Infant, Newborn / Q000276:immunology*; D016018:Least-Squares Analysis; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000494:pharmacology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000941:Antigens; D016207:Cytokines; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha